HIB047b Crusades: Selected Problems and Modern Approaches

Faculty of Arts
Autumn 2023
Extent and Intensity
0/2/0. 3 credit(s). Type of Completion: z (credit).
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Mikuláš Netík (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
Mgr. Mikuláš Netík
Department of History – Faculty of Arts
Supplier department: Department of History – Faculty of Arts
Timetable
Tue 16:00–17:40 K21, except Tue 14. 11.
Prerequisites
Ability to work with sources in Czech, but above all in English translations (Latin not required, but of advantage).
Ability to work with English academic texts.
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
The capacity limit for the course is 25 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 14/25, only registered: 0/25, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 0/25
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
  • History (programme FF, B-HI_) (3)
Course objectives
The optional course, freely following up on the HIB016b Crusades in the Holy Land, aims to deepen the knowledge of the crusades (1095–1291) and establish more nuanced awareness of their selected aspects and modern scientific approaches to them. Definition problems of the crusades, evolution of its modern scholarship and the main high-medieval crusading narratives will be introduced. Subsequently, selected aspects of the “crusading idea”, for example the image and role of Byzantines, Muslims or women in the crusading context and the ways how the crusading narratives coped with crusades’ failure will be analysed, to be concluded with a discussion of the imprints the crusades have found in the modern popular and political discourse.
Learning outcomes
After completing the course, the student will be able to:
- define main characteristics of the crusading movement in the High Middle-Ages;
- name and understand aspects of the idea of crusading;
- work critically with sources concerning the crusades;
- be knowledgeable of approaches and topics of modern crusading studie
Syllabus
  • - Introduction: crusades, their nature and course
  • - Crusades, state of research and definitions
  • - Crusades and the idea of crusading in contemporary high-medieval historiography
  • - Practicalities, logistics anf financing of the crusades
  • - Divine aid, miracles, imitatio Christi
  • - Following in the footsteps of predecessors, role of memory and crusading communities
  • - Crusading emotions
  • - Untrustworthy allies, traitors, or even enemies? Image of the Byzantines
  • - Pagans or opponents worthy of respect? Image of Muslims
  • - Jews in the crusading context and narratives
  • - Women in the crusading context and narratives
  • - Sin, suffering, defeat: Crusades and coping with defeat
  • - Crusades in the modern (popular, political or ideological) discourse
Literature
    required literature
  • MAYER, Hans Eberhard. Dějiny křížových výprav. Translated by Jiří Knap. Vydání první. Praha: Argo, 2013, 404 stran. ISBN 9788025709337. info
    recommended literature
  • TYERMAN, Christopher. Svaté války : dějiny křížových výprav. Translated by Jiří Kasl - Tomáš Vrba. Vyd. 1. Praha: NLN, Nakladatelství Lidové noviny, 2012, 1041 s. ISBN 9788074220913. info
Teaching methods
lectures, students’ presentations, work with sources and discussion
Assessment methods
in-class presentations, home preparation and active participation in the in-class discussion
Language of instruction
Czech
Further Comments
Study Materials
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/phil/autumn2023/HIB047b