The Crusades: Conflict of Cultures

SYLLABUS

REQUIRED BOOKS:

Allen, S.J. and Amt, Emilie. The Crusades: A Reader. Toronto: Broadview Press, 2003.

Maalouf, Amin. The Crusades Through Arab Eyes. New York: Schocken Books, reissue edition 1989

Riley-Smith, Jonathan. The Crusades: A Short History. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1990

GOAL:

The purpose of the course is to acquaint students with one of the most important periods in the history of civilization, the high middle ages and the age of conflict between the medieval West and the Arab cultures of Western Asia. It was during this time that much of the foundation for later European society (and hence our “modern” world) was laid, and this was accomplished, in part, through the impact that Muslim society had upon the West. We will be looking at the ways in which the interaction between Western Asia and Western Europe took place, in peace and in war, and the results of that interaction in many different areas of life. We will also be examining, in some detail, the western milieu in which these developments took place, i.e., the religious and secular worlds of the Middle Ages, the monasteries, courts, and cities and the men and women who inhabited these realms. Our goal will be to illuminate more clearly this important period in history and to try to re-capture some of the flavor of medieval knighthood, chivalry, courtly love, religious revival and heresy, the medieval intellectual revival, and the tremendous flowering of medieval castle and cathedral building which took place between the twelfth and thirteenth centuries.

Learning Outcomes for all students:

By the end of this class, students will be able to:

· Describe the major theories of the causes of the Crusades;

· Discuss in written and oral form the major events of the era of the Crusades;

· Compare and contrast in written and oral form Arab and Christian views of the Crusades and their impact on their respective societies;

· Identify in written and oral form major contributions of the Muslim and Arab world to the development of Western Civilization and the Western impact on the Muslim world.

Graduate students, in addition to the above, will be able to:

· Discuss in written and oral form the major historiographical debates concerning the era of the crusades

· Analyze the term “crusade” and its impact on the thinking of Western and West Asian cultures and societies

· Present in oral form an in-depth description of a particular topic relating to the period of the Crusades

· Lead class discussion on primary documents

Procedures, Policies, etc.:

READING ASSIGNMENTS: All reading assignments, as listed in the schedule below will be due on the dates listed. This means you should look ahead to see what material will be discussed in class for the next class period. Students are responsible for the material assigned, however, whether discussed in class or not. Part of the final grade will be based upon class discussion.

CLASS ATTENDANCE: Students are expected to be in class during the regular class meeting times. Too many unexcused absences will affect the final grade.

“POP QUIZZES”: If the class discussions reveal a lack of preparation, pop quizzes may be given.

GRADING: Final grades for the course will be based upon the completion of the following:

1. Hour tests--there will be two (2) given during the term. Usually, quizzes will consist of short answer and essay questions. Other types may be added. 15%, 20%

2. Fifteen-minute report on special topic to class (see below for details)* 10%

3. Comparative book review--2 books on a similar subject may be reviewed in a 4-6 page typed, double-spaced paper. Due 29 June 2004. No late papers will be accepted. This review may be substituted for the FIRST test only. 15%

4. Term paper--a 6-8 page, double-spaced, typed paper, with footnotes or end-notes, and using a minimum of five sources (only one of which may be an internet source), due by 27 July 2004, on a subject mutually acceptable to student and instructor.. No late papers will be accepted. Preliminary topic and bibliography due by 6 July 2004. 30%

5. Class participation--approximately 10% of the final grade (includes leading class

discussion on sources)

Note Well: One of the hour tests may be used as extra credit or may be substituted for a unit of equal value but lower grade.

SCHEDULE:

June:

8 Introduction, nature of the course; Historical environment and Demography: Setting the scene

10 Crusades: Idea and Origin—Christian, Muslim and Jewish Attitudes on

Religion and Violence

Reading: Riley-Smith, Introduction and Ch. 1

15 Crusades: Idea and Origin—Christian, Muslim and Jewish Attitudes on

Religion and Violence (con’d)

Reading: Allen, S.J. and Amt, Emilie. The Crusades: A Reader,

Introduction and ch. 1.

17 The First Crusade

Reading: Riley-Smith, ch. 2; Allen, S.J. and Amt, Emilie. The

Crusades: A Reader, ch. 2; Maalouf, Amin. The Crusades Through Arab Eyes, Prologue-55.

22 The First Crusade (con’d)

Reading: Same as above

24 The Crusader States

Reading: Riley-Smith, ch. 3; Allen and Emilie, ch. 3;

29 The Crusader States (con’d)

Reading: Riley-Smith, ch. 4; Maalouf, Amin. The Crusades

Through Arab Eyes, pp. 56-105

COMPARATIVE BOOK REVIEW DUE TODAY IN MY OFFICE BY 4:00 P.M.

July

1 Mid-term Examination

6 The Crusader States and the Second Crusade

Reading: Riley-Smith, ch. 5; Maalouf, Amin. The Crusades

Through Arab Eyes, pp. 105-139; Allen and Emilie, ch. 4-5

TOPIC AND PRELIMINARY BIBLIOGRAPHY FOR TERM

PAPER DUE TODAY

8 Crusading at its Height and Crusading in Spain

Reading: Riley-Smith, ch. 6; Allen and Emilie, ch. 6-8; Maalouf,

Amin. The Crusades Through Arab Eyes, pp. 143-217

13 Later Crusades

Reading: Riley-Smith, ch. 7; Allen and Emilie, ch. 9;

15 Internal Developments in the East

Reading: Riley-Smith, ch. 8; Maalouf, Amin. The Crusades

Through Arab Eyes, pp. 218-259

20 Varieties of Crusading

Reading: Riley-Smith, ch. 9;

22 The Decline of the Crusading Spirit; Europe in the High Middle Ages

Reading: Riley-Smith, ch. 10; Allen and Emilie, ch. 10

27 Europe and Western Asia: The Legacy of Conflict

Reading: Riley-Smith, Conclusion; Maalouf, Amin. The Crusades

Through Arab Eyes, pp. 261-266

TERM PAPER DUE IN MY OFFICE TODAY BY 4:00 P.M.

29 FINAL EXAM: Thursday, July 29, 2004 12:30-2:30 P.M.

TOPICS FOR CLASS DISCUSSION

1. Crusading Weaponry and Tactics—Muslims and Christians

2. Castle Design, Construction and Use

3. Life in the Crusader States for Muslims, Jews and Christians

4. Medieval European Art

5. Art in the Muslim World

6. Music and Poetry in Spain and Europe

7. Medicine in the Muslim World and Europe

8. Science in the Muslim World and its Influence on the West

9. Philosophy in the Muslim World and its Influence on the West

10. Cathedral Design and Building

11. Food, Diet and Feasting

12. Women and the Crusades