HSY2640 - The age of crusades: Cultures and societies

Leader(s): Constant Mews

Offered

Clayton Second semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

This unit examines the impact of the Crusades on European culture and society during the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, with particular reference to changing relationships between Christians, Jews and Muslims. It explores the relationship between ecclesiastical politics, religious reform and Crusading ideology, as well as the socio-economic pressures that underpinned Christian expansion in both the Near East and other parts of Europe, such as Spain. It considers episodes of cultural interaction and appropriation, as well as of conflict between Christian, Jewish and Muslim communities by considering the perspectives of commentators and thinkers from each of these religious groups.

Objectives

1. This course has as its principal objective to make students familiar with the impact of the Crusades on culture and society in Europe during the twelfth and thirteenth centuries.
2. Students should acquire an understanding of the different ways in which historians have approached the Crusades and issues of cultural interaction between Jews, Christians and Muslims.
3. The unit aims to introduce students to the writings of selected individuals from the period (e.g. Abelard, Heloise, John of Salisbury, Maimonides, Averroes). Students will be expected to be able relate their writing to a wider historical context.
4. Students will be expected to acquire training in library skills, empirical methods and in intelligent summary of secondary literature. Third year students will be expected to acquire research skills through identifying a research topic of their own choice.

Assessment

Oral presentation: 15%
Written work: 60%
In class test: 25%

Contact hours

2.5 hours

Prerequisites

A first-year sequence in History or permission

Prohibitions

HSY3640