Medievalism and its impact on contemporary culture
In this modern age, we are surrounded by medievalism in many forms. Modern people are continually finding ways to interact actively with the past in ways that go beyond simply consuming medieval-themed media.
Will examine medievalism and its impact on contemporary culture by looking at a selection of medieval-themed leisure activities and analyzing appeal to a modern audience.
Topic:
- Medieval-themed LARPing. For this topic must focus on LARPing, not reenactment. Also ensure that looking at medieval/neomedieval LARPing, not LARPing that uses other themes.
Must explore why people engage in that particular activity. Also choose three specific examples of topic and demonstrate what it can tell us about why people find these goods, events, or experiences appealing.
From the topic explore the following:
- What do people who engage in this activity/experience get out of it? What sort of “medieval experience” are they looking for? Be as detailed as possible in exploration of this question. Also may want to consult sources such as reviews of historical sites, restaurants, or merchandise to get a clearer view of visitor/consumer reactions.
- Does the experience give them an accurate or authentic view of the medieval world, or does it perpetuate popular stereotypes about the Middle Ages? Fully explain opinion on this, making use of specific details from selected examples.
- Is the experience purely medievalist, or does it involve aspects of neomedievalism? Either way, how does that shape the appeal of the experience?
The questions above are guidelines; should use them to shape analysis. This must be made in essay form (full sentences and paragraphs) with no subheadings.
Research and Sources
May talk about own impressions of these activities (and may use the first person ‘I’), but will also need to draw on evidence for the reactions of others. In doing so, cite only websites/sources related to specific examples (for instance, a website or reviews for a medieval restaurant). Sources that must not be used include Wikipedia, general/non-academic websites about medieval history or culture, study guides, and encyclopedias.
In particular, non-academic websites about the Middle Ages must not be cited. The best of these sites will rarely give anything but very general information; the worst will give inaccurate information, which would make it very difficult to discuss the third question above in particular. Must identify the author of a website and verify their credentials as a scholar, should not use the website. Also, neglect “educational” sites meant for primary or secondary students.
