(Formerly numbered French 112.) Lecture, three hours. Introduction to and tracing of genealogy of some of most important medieval concepts and institutions, such as empire and state, religion, university, architecture and visual arts, identity, class, race, and sexuality, foundational for European civilization. Exploration of birth of modern nations from their medieval foundation. Examination of cultural production: how and why certain values were created and then passed on. P/NP or letter grading.