Fall 2023

Samurai: Culture and Violence in Premodern Japan

EALC-E237 with Professor Morten Oxenboell

During this course we will take a closer look at how violence shaped the culture of medieval Japan - and how culture shaped the use and perception of violence in society, politics, religion, and literature. We will discuss the cultural ramifications of violence and samurai identities with comparisons to other medieval and East Asian societies and to present day issues and debates. At the same time, the course is also an introduction to the rise of the warriors in Japanese history – not only as a military and political force but also as carriers and developers of a refined cultural legacy.

Byzantine History

HIST-B348 with Professor Deborah Deliyannis

Although the Roman empire "fell" in western Europe, the eastern half of the Roman empire survived for over a thousand years, and is known to us as the Byzantine empire. Until the thirteenth century, it remained one of the most powerful and splendid societies in the world, far overshadowing the emerging countries of western Europe. This course is designed as an introduction to Byzantine history and civilization, A.D. 330-1453. We will explore the survival of the eastern empire, how it developed a distinctive Christian culture and ideology, how it interacted with, and impacted, its neighbors, and how it responded to economic, political, and military challenges.

Medieval Queens and Empresses

HIST-J300 with Professor Deborah Deliyannis

In the Middle Ages, some women exercised a surprising amount of authority as rulers - surprising to us, and sometimes surprising to their contemporaries. In this class, we will consider queens and empresses in Europe and the Mediterranean from the late Roman empire to the fourteenth century. We will examine how ruling women were described and represented in art, and what is said about them in legal and religious texts. In this Writing-Intensive seminar, students will learn how to write as historians write history, so we will be discussing historical methodology and historical writing, both through through discussion of books and articles written by modern historians about the topic, and in your writing assignments.

Latin Prose Composition/Latin Grammar, Composition and Rapid Readings

CLAS-L410/L505 with Professor Cynthia Bannon

Study of Latin grammar through prose composition, reading a variety of authors, and practice in sight-reading. The active use of Latin in prose composition aids in building facility with grammar, appreciation of prose style, and a deeper understanding of Latin expression.

Prophets, Poets, Kings: Iranian Civilization

CEUS-R351/551 with Professor Jamsheed Choksy

This course traces the history, beliefs, and culture of Iranians from ancient times through the Arab conquest to the twenty-first century. It focuses on politics, administrative and social institutions, religions including Zoroastrianism, Manichaeism, and Islam (Sunnism, Shi‘ism, and Sufism), relationships between secular and ecclesiastic hierarchies, status of minorities, devotional and communal change, and Iranian influences on other cultures. No previous knowledge or course prerequisites are needed. CEUS-R351 fulfills College CASE Global Civilization and Culture credit (GCC), Social & Historical Studies (S&H), and Intensive Writing (IW) requirements for undergraduates.

Medieval Literature: Defining the Human in Medieval Europe

CMLT-C321/MEST-M390 with Professor Rosemarie McGerr

This course will explore concepts of human identity in literature by Jewish, Muslim, and Christian authors in Eastern and Western Europe from the 5th through 15th centuries. Some of these texts circulated in the Middle East as well. We will examine how each text presents ideas about what makes up a human being''s identity and how individuals relate to a "home" community, to people in "outside" communities, to nature, and to the supernatural. We will also explore the relationship of literary texts to musical performance and the visual arts.

The Medieval Studies Institute

Fall 2023

Samurai: Culture and Violence in Premodern Japan

Byzantine History

Medieval Queens and Empresses

Latin Prose Composition/Latin Grammar, Composition and Rapid Readings

Prophets, Poets, Kings: Iranian Civilization

Medieval Literature: Defining the Human in Medieval Europe

The College of Arts & Sciences

Fall 2023

Samurai: Culture and Violence in Premodern Japan

Byzantine History

Medieval Queens and Empresses

Latin Prose Composition/Latin Grammar, Composition and Rapid Readings

Prophets, Poets, Kings: Iranian Civilization

Medieval Literature: Defining the Human in Medieval Europe

Medieval Studies Institute social media channels

The College of Arts & Sciences