Europe

Eastern Mediterranean that later historians have labeled "crusades," or "wars of the cross." We will consider the ideological background to crusading along with such related ideas as "holy war" and "just war" theory, as well as the larger (and timely) issue of understanding religiously articulated violence. The readings and discussions will cover the historical narrative of medieval crusading, including the conquest of Jerusalem in 1095, the establishment of ephemeral "crusader states" in the Middle East, and political and economic relations between Christians and Muslims during the Middle Ages. The course will conclude with a survey of modern appropriations of crusading symbols and rhetoric.

Prof. Cotts, 4 credits, TTh 10-11:20 a.m.

• Fulfills Social Sciences, Global Cultures & Languages, Textual Analysis, and/or Studying the Past distribution.
• History major: premodern history; Cultures & Ideas; Revolution/War/Politics; Before Modernity

This course explores English culture and society from Julius Caesar's invasion of Britain through civil wars of the 15th century. Readings include primary source documents, contemporary chronicles, as well as scholarly interpretations of such phenomena as the development of a pre-capitalist economy, the growth of English law, and medieval origins of the modern nation state. We also will consider the development of Christianity from the earliest missions through the English reformation, patterns of migration and population, the impact of the Black Death, and the formation of English traditions in literature and the arts.

Prof. Cotts, 4 credits, MWF 10-10:50 a.m.

• Fulfills Social Sciences, Individual & Society, and/or Studying the Past distribution.
• History major: premodern history; Cultures & Ideas; Revolution/War/Politics; Before Modernity