This step of the research project is designed to provide you with guidance for analyzing historical primary sources and academic secondary sources. For this assignment, you will choose ONE primary source and ONE academic article related to your topic and analyze them based on the questions below.

Due Date: Friday May 21st at 5 p.m.

Please submit to Blackboard.

Questions and Self-Assessment for Source Analysis

Please answer the questions on the Google Doc (see link below) for your chosen primary source and academic article. Use the question and answer format. I’ve provided a google doc of the questions that can be copied so please INCLUDE the questions (doing so makes it easier for us to read your assignment).

Also included on this document is the rubric for the self-assessment.

Questions for Source Analysis

Finding Primary Sources

The best place to start for finding historical primary sources is our textbook, Medieval Iberia. It contains a wealth of material related to almost every topic for medieval Spanish history. 

Tips:

  • Pages xvii-xxvi organizes the primary sources by topic. It is a good place to start! 
  • Each primary source contains a brief overview at the beginning. Make sure to read these and look at the time period to see if it fits with your desired topic.
  • Choose sources that are at minimum 2 pages in length. Remember this source (with at least one other) will form the basis of your research project.

Other Source Collections

While Medieval Iberia has a huge range of sources, there are areas of medieval Spanish history not covered OR only briefly explored. Below is a list of primary source collections, online, as ebooks, or hard copies in the library, that can provide you with alternative.

Muslim and Christian Contact in the Middle Ages: A Reader (University of Toronto Press, 2015)

  • This ebook available through our library has a variety of sources related to Muslim-Christian relations. Make sure to choose only those sources that are related to medieval Spanish history (if you’re not sure, ask me).

The Jews in Christian Europe: A Sourcebook (Hebrew Union College Press, 2015)

  • This ebook available through our library has a variety of sources related to Jewish history. Make sure to choose those sources related to medieval Spanish history AND from the medieval period (400-1500) ONLY. If you’re not sure, ask me!

Reading the Middle Ages: Sources from Europe, Byzantium, and the Islamic World (University of Toronto Press, 2014)

  • This ebook available through our library has a variety of sources related to medieval European history. Make sure to choose those sources related to medieval Spanish history ONLY. If you’re not sure, ask me!

The Crusades: A Reader (University of Toronto Press, 2014)

  • This ebook is available through our library. See Chapter 8 “Conflict and Coexistence in Spain” ONLY for relevant sources.

Internet Medieval Sourcebook: Selected Sources, Iberia

  • This extensive website provides primary sources related to medieval European history broadly. Please see “Selected Sources: Iberia” for documents related to medieval Spanish history https://sourcebooks.fordham.edu/sbook1p.asp

Finding Academic Articles

Searching for relevant academic articles can be challenging! I have created a video, available on our course resources page, with some tips. I’ve included a few of them below.

The best place to start searching for academic articles related to medieval Spanish history is the International Medieval Bibliography database, available through the library. You need to be logged into the library website to use this database. 

Tips on using IMB 

  • You can limit your search by time period, geographic location (choose Iberia or Spain), and language (choose English or whatever language you can read!).
  • The database indexed articles published in academic journals and articles published in academic essay collections. Click on the “Get it at UNBC” button to see if it’s available in our library.
  • If the article is NOT available, choose “Request a CHAPTER from this book by Interlibrary Loan”. The librarian will email you a copy!
  • Only choose articles published since 1990! 

Using the General Search in the Library Catalogue

Another place to search for academic articles is through our library catalogue. In order to find relevant articles, you’ll need to follow a few tips!

  • Use the “advanced search” to limit your search parameters by language (English or the language you can read), discipline (choose History), publication date (AFTER 1990). 
  • Make sure that it is an academic article and NOT a book review. If you’re unsure, ask a librarian or me!
  • Remember that we are looking for academic articles from the discipline of History. So if you find an article on your topic, but it’s published in the American Journal of Medieval Research, it’s probably not very relevant. If you’re not sure, ask!