HST 139 - Christian and Islamic Cultures in Peace and Conflict

This course will explore themes from today’s global headlines that also dominated life in Medieval Spain (from the 5th century to 1492), a time and place when religiously rooted cultures were in conflict on the battlefield, in the political arena, and in the arts. Students will examine topics such as the Visigoth invasion, the motives of the expansion of Islam in Western Europe, the mystery of the Christian Pilgrimage to Santiago of Compostela, the rise of Cordoba as a cultural rival to Baghdad, the Christian reconquest and the end of Spanish Judaism, and of Muslim Granada. Major attention will be given to the theme of encounters: the influence of Islam on Western Europe through its pervasive cultural presence in Spain, and the singular moment of interaction between Muslims, Christians and Jews, which for a time developed a culture of tolerance among the three faiths.

Prerequisite(s): Eligibility for ENG 101

General Education Elective(s): Social Science Elective
Intensive Value(s): Written Communication; Multicultural/Global

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