History of the Crusades (elective)

Course Description:  The Middle Ages saw the development of Christendom and the rise of a new religious and political force, Islam. The clash of these two civilizations reverberates today. Why did Medieval Europeans seek to defend the holy land? Why were Muslim forces seeking to expand their reach? Though both of these traditions claim lineage to Abraham, they diverge greatly in their theology. This study seeks to reveal possible motives, dispel common misconceptions, and explain how this conflict gave shape to Medieval Europe. Course Objectives:  At the end of this course, the student will be able to: Identify the church and political leaders involved in these conflicts Chart 25 events/figures from the crusade era Design a map of one major conflict during one of the wars Write an encomium/vituperation of one figure from a specific crusade Develop a persuasive paper concerning one aspect of the crusades Deliver a presentation considering the theological and political dynamics