Serbian lands in the pre-Nemanjic era

Pre-requisites: no specific requirements

Course objectives: Gaining a deeper insight into the main events and historical processes of Serbian lands during the early middle ages. Using materials and skills that are required to work with relevant sources.

Course description: This course will introduce students to characteristic sources on the subject. A focus will be put on the lesser known issues and unresolved questions. History of Serbian lands from the migration of the Serbs to the Balkans to the rise of Stefan Nemanja to the throne. Students will establish a clear vision of how developments during the early middle ages were essential to the sudden rise of Serbian states at the beginning of the 13th century. With this objective in mind, it is necessary to thoroughly examine the dynasties and their relations with European courts (and consequentially, their role in international politics), the principle of heirdom, continuity of the territories, conflict of interests and political factors in southeastern Europe.

Learning Outcomes: Understanding the major events, processes and happenings in the history of the Serbs during the early middle ages. Introducing students to methods of working with documentary and narrative sources. Learning how to produce academic papers, historical essays and power point presentations.

Literature/Reading:

• Istorija srpskog naroda 1, Beograd 1994.
• Istorija Crne Gore 1, Titograd 1967.
• Stefan Nemanja – Sveti Simeon Mirotočivi. Istorija i predanje, zbornik radova, Beograd 2000.
• Vizantijski izvori za istoriju naroda Jugoslavije I–IV, Beograd 1955–1970.
• J. Kalić, Evropa i Srbi, Beograd 2006.
• T. Živković, Portreti srpskih vladara (IX–XII vek), Beograd 2006.
• S. Ćirković, Srbi u srednjem veku, Beograd 2005.
• Đ. Bubalo, Šta znači “otrok” u srpskim poveljama, Zbornik Matice srpske za istoriju 56 (1997) 19–58
• Đ. Bubalo, Vlaho episkop ili vlahoepiskop, Zbornik radova Vizantološkog instituta 39 (2001/2002) 197–220
• Đ. Bubalo, Episkop prizrenski Georgije (O “prezimenima” srednjovekovnih arhijereja), Istorijski časopis 48 (2001) 45–52.
• Đ. Bubalo, Ugarska i Ugri u starim srpskim letopisima, Srpsko-mađarski odnosi kroz vekove, saopštenja sa naučnog skupa, Novi Sad 2008, 65-82
• Đ. Bubalo, Radosthlabos Sampias - Radoslav Sablja, Zbornik radova Vizantološkog instituta 44 (2007) 459-463