Multi-disciplinary graduate seminar:
G45.2860/ G57.2860/ G70.2860/ G90.2860
“The Culture of the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem”
Prof. Evelyn (Timmie) B. Vitz, French Department; Affiliated Professor of Religious Studies, Medieval and Renaissance Studies, and Comparative Literature
New York University
Spring 2006
Wednesday 4:10-6:10

This course examines the culture of the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem in the larger context of the crusader kingdoms. We are concerned with art and architecture, music, liturgical and religious life, literature and historiography. We will be interested in particular features of “Frankish” culture and identity in Jerusalem and more generally in Outremer , as well as in the complex interactions and hybridities that characterized this world inhabited by assorted Latins, Eastern Christians, Byzantine Christians, Muslims and Jews.

This is a multi-disciplinary seminar, with participants from throughout the New York Consortium and beyond. The course organizer is Evelyn (Timmie) Birge Vitz (NYU, French/ Comparative Literature/ Religious Studies). Participants include: Jill Claster (NYU, History), Frank Peters (NYU, Religious Studies), William Clark (CUNY Grad. Center, Art History), Eric Ivison (CUNY Grad. Center/ College of Staten Island, History), and Nina Rowe (Fordham University, Art History).

Interested graduate students from all disciplines and from throughout the Consortium are invited to take this seminar. Work for the course will consist of several short oral and written responses, and a final research presentation and paper.

In recent years much important work has been done on the culture of the Latin Kingdom and related topics, from a variety of perspectives. We hope that this course will contribute further to the growth of innovative and collaborative scholarship in this area.

Texts to purchase:

Jonathan Riley-Smith, The Crusades: A Short History , Yale U.P.

Jonathan Riley-Smith, ed. The Oxford Illustrated History of the Crusades , Oxford U.P.

Joinville and Villehardouin, Chronicles of the Crusades , Penguin.

NOTE: This course will also make extensive use of photocopied material.