Coexistence in Medieval Spain: Jews, Christians, and Muslims

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/coexistence-in-medieval-spain

Introduction

### Course Review: Coexistence in Medieval Spain: Jews, Christians, and Muslims If you’ve ever been fascinated by the rich tapestry of civilizations that coexisted in medieval Spain, then the Coursera course "Coexistence in Medieval Spain: Jews, Christians, and Muslims" is an exceptional opportunity to delve deep into this complex historical narrative. #### Course Overview This course meticulously explores the intercultural dynamics among Jews, Christians, and Muslims in the Iberian Peninsula from the 6th century CE through to the late 15th century. It skillfully evaluates how these communities interacted through the prism of conflict and cooperation, set against the backdrop of historical events such as the Muslim conquest, the Christian Reconquista, and the sociopolitical transformations that led to the creation of Catholic Spain under Queen Isabel I and King Ferdinand II. #### Engaging Syllabus Breakdown The course is structured into five comprehensive modules, each addressing pivotal periods and events: 1. **Introduction to Medieval Spain and Coexistence (418-711 CE)**: This introductory week sets the stage by presenting foundational knowledge of Roman Spain and the Visigothic period. It also engages students in the "Historian's Craft" to build critical analytical skills. 2. **Developing Dynamic Cultures: Islamic al-Andalus and Jewish Sefarad (711-1212 CE)**: This module shifts its focus to Islamic al-Andalus and the flourishing Jewish culture of Sefarad. It highlights significant events like the Islamic conquest and the Golden Age of Spanish Jews, interweaving themes of interfaith collaboration and culture through Islamic art and architecture. 3. **Forging A Christian Future: Christian Spain and the Castilian Ascent (1212-1347 CE)**: Here, the course explores the rise of Christian Hispania under figures such as King Alfonso X. It dissects the cultural and political landscape while addressing the complexities of governance over religious minorities, making for a compelling exploration of coexistence. 4. **Creating Conversos and Rejecting Religious Diversity: Catholic Spain (1347-1502 CE)**: This section focuses on the decline of coexistence, detailing the emergence of conversos and the intense religious intolerance that marked the era. The narrative is enriched with archival references and a poignant exploration of the city's experience in Plasencia. 5. **Interpreting Iberia's Past: Our Evaluation of the Evidence**: The course culminates in a reflective project where honors students engage deeply with a historical artifact from medieval Spain, allowing for hands-on application of their learning. #### Strengths of the Course 1. **In-Depth Historical Context**: The course does an exemplary job of placing medieval Iberia within larger European, Byzantine, and Islamic contexts. This broader perspective enriches understanding and appreciation of the complexities involved. 2. **Interactive Learning**: The inclusion of supplementary materials such as art and architecture, alongside the central text, fosters a dynamic learning experience. The "Historian's Craft" segment is particularly beneficial as it teaches essential skills in historical analysis, reading, and reflection. 3. **Cultural Appreciation**: The course exposes learners to the nuances of Jewish, Muslim, and Christian cultures, illuminating their contributions to what is often a simplistic view of history dominated by conflict. 4. **Peer Engagement**: The peer-reviewed project encourages collaborative learning and provides a platform for students to engage critically with their peers while interpreting historical artifacts. #### Recommendation I would highly recommend this course to anyone interested in history, particularly those captivated by the cultural interactions in medieval Europe. It’s suitable for both history enthusiasts and scholars alike, as it balances academic rigor with accessible content. The course is also a commendable resource for educators looking for substantive historical narratives to enrich their teaching materials. Overall, "Coexistence in Medieval Spain: Jews, Christians, and Muslims" is more than just a history course; it’s an invitation to explore the intricate web of cultural identities and mutual influences that shaped a significant period in the history of Europe. Enroll today to discover how coexistence in medieval Spain can offer continuing lessons for our contemporary world.

Syllabus

Introduction to Medieval Spain and Coexistence (418-711 CE)

This week introduces the idea of co-existence in medieval Spain. We begin our study of medieval Spain by briefly viewing Roman Spain and then learning about the Visigoths. Supplemental information places medieval Iberia within the contexts of European, Byzantine, and Islamic civilizations. The honors section of the course introduces "The Historian's Craft" and the task of "viewing".

In this section of the course, we advance our investigation of medieval Spain to learn about Islamic al-Andalus (Islamic Spain) and Jewish Sefarad (Jewish Spain). This includes a study of the Islamic conquest of Visigothic Spain and the subsequent development of the Umayyad Dynasty. We evaluate the complexities of conflicts between religious groups and within religious groups. We witness interfaith collaboration. Islamic sciences are presented as is the Golden Age of the Spanish Jews. We view Islamic art and architecture. Lastly, in our honors section we continue with our study of the Historian's Craft and the task of "reading".

First, we continue with an investigation of the third principal culture of Iberian Peninsula -- Spanish Christian Hispania. We seek out more specific examples of the Christian kingdom's impact on political, religious, social, intellectual, and economic issues. Next, we examine the rise of the Spanish Christian Kingdom of Castile and Leon and the impact of King Alfonso X "The Learned". We study how Spanish Christians created culture through material objects and architecture. In addition, we explore the complications of Christians governing religious minorities in their lands. The honors section of the course continues with our study of the Historian's Craft and the task of "analyzing".

This section of the course presents the end of coexistence in medieval Spain, which was characterized by the creation of new types of peoples (conversos, Jewish converts to Christianity), religious intolerance and expulsions. Multiple examples of the fluctuations in the relationships of Jews, Christians, and Muslims, are examined as Catholic Spain took shape. Special attention is also directed to Spanish archives that preserve this history. We take a closer look at the end of convivencia in the city of Plasencia, Spain, and view a digital video narration. As the Spanish Middle Ages did not occur in a vacuum, we share with you eight scholarly endeavors from the "Global Middle Ages" Project. The honors section of the course continues with our study of the Historian's Craft and the task of "reflecting" and features the music of the Texas Early Music Project.

The final section of the course prompts students in the Honors Track to interpret and evaluate a historical artifact from medieval Spain (a material object, architecture, or a manuscript). This peer-reviewed project is not a required to complete the course as a regular student.