LIB543
The First Crusades: Faith, Hope and Swords
The Crusades are often invoked as the ultimate example of “clash of civilizations”—an epic struggle between Christianity and Islam. The truth is more complicated. They were an incredible chapter in medieval history that involved people from regions as diverse as Norway, Germany, France and Italy. What drove the Crusades? What effects did they have on Western Europe and the Near East? This course will cover the period from 1095-1149, including the First and Second Crusades and several minor ones.
This course is offered online.
A $50 discount is available during check-out for adults 55+.
Overview
Location: Online
Format: Self-paced with weekly virtual class
Duration: 6 weeks
Tuition: $180 plus GST
Can be applied to:
Liberal Arts for 55+ Certificate
Upcoming Offerings
- Wed, Jan 14, 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Pacific Time (virtual class)
- Wed, Jan 21, 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Pacific Time (virtual class)
- Wed, Jan 28, 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Pacific Time (virtual class)
- Wed, Feb 4, 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Pacific Time (virtual class)
- Wed, Feb 11, 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Pacific Time (virtual class)
- Wed, Feb 18, 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Pacific Time (virtual class)
Course outline
- Week 1: Introduction
The concept of crusading, medieval Christianity and the pilgrimage tradition. The destabilization of the Eastern Roman Empire leads to the call for the First Crusade. - Week 2: The call to crusade
Enthusiasm for Jerusalem gets out of hand, creating the disorganized People’s Crusade alongside the planned Princes’ Crusade. Pogroms and pillaging result as thousands of people make their way toward Constantinople. - Week 3: The First Crusade
The expedition ends with taking Jerusalem and the creation of the Crusader states. In the aftermath, there are two additional waves of crusaders, including one led by a Viking king. The knightly orders of the Templars and Hospitallers are created. - Week 4: Crusader states
Crusader lands in the East draw adventurers and trouble. A Seljuk victory leads to the call for a Second Crusade, voiced by Bernard of Clairvaux, the leading churchman of his age. Eleanor of Aquitaine and Louis VII of France join the armies of the Holy Roman Emperor to head east. On the way, other military objectives emerge: the Mediterranean Crusades and the Wends. - Week 5: The Second Crusade
This crusade proves a disastrous expedition. The Holy Roman Emperor and the King of France both have misadventures in Anatolia. - Week 6: Scandal
Division amongst the leaders of the Second Crusade leads to terrible decisions. The Queen of France is embroiled in salacious rumours at Antioch. The siege of Damascus reveals different priorities among the Crusade leaders and the Crusader states. The aftermath of this crusade lays down conditions that will affect years of fighting to come.
What you will learn
By the end of the course, you should be able to:
- Recognize the connection between crusade and pilgrimage
- Distinguish the First Crusade from the Second
- Identify the goals of the early crusades
- Identify the main players in the Near East
- Reflect on personal understandings of this history and connect them to course content
How you will learn
- Academic and non-academic articles, and other online resources
- Participation in written discussions with other students
- Participation in Zoom seminars
- Reflective essay (applicable only to certificate students)
Learning Materials
No textbook is required. We will provide all course materials online.
Technical Requirements
For online courses, you will need a computer with audio and microphone that is connected to the internet. Canvas is the online system that will be used for the course. For more information and online support, visit Online Learning.