With the launch of the First Crusade in 1095, European Christians began a series of military expeditions lasting to the close of the 13th century. The crusading era also saw the beginning of pogroms against Jews along the crusade routes and beyond. This course will examine these confrontations and their historical legacies. This is primarily a lecture course, but there is a significant amount of reading and participation for which you are responsible. History, after all, is not done in a vacuum.
All reading is to be completed by the assigned date.
Periodic written assignments will be given to encourage you to keep up with the reading. Since you may be asked to discuss what you have read at any point during the class, please bring the assigned readings with you to each class. You will choose the topic in consultation with me. Your grade will be based the submission of a paper proposal and initial bibliography in addition to the paper itself. Attendance is also an integral component of this course.