HIST 542 - War, Religion, and Culture: Christians and Muslims in the Mediterranean World, 1000-1600

3 credits

This cross-cultural course will examine patterns of cooperation and conflict between Christian and Muslim societies in a region subject to a common geography, ecology, and climate. Combining lecture and discussion formats, the class will concentrate upon the following topics: the Mediterranean as a connected structure; the forging of a pluralist culture and the “grand clash” of destiny between Christians and Muslims in Spain; transmission to Europe of Muslim scientific discoveries and the Greco-Roman legacy; the Crusades as an episode of conflict and peace interchange; the sixteenth century world war between Hapsburg Spain and the Ottoman Empire; and Malta as the new frontier between East and West. By exposing students to a variety of cultures, this course will facilitate an understanding of human diversity and complexity, promote respect, if not acceptance, for peoples different from ourselves, arouse interest in cross-cultural approaches to historical study, and expose students to an exciting and important world region.

Note
NOTE: Courses in the 500 series are open to undergraduate students as *400 series. Graduate students are required to do additional work of a research nature. A course completed at the 400 level may not be taken at the 500 level with the same instructor.

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