These courses are delivered face to face on ANU campus.
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The Crusades are among the most important events in world history. As well as discussing themes of religion, society, warfare, and culture, we will meet outstanding historical individuals such as Richard the Lionheart, Saladin, Peter the Hermit and Baldwin the leper king of Jerusalem.
Course Outline
- Topic 1: An introduction to and overview of the Crusades.
- Topic 2: The first Crusade.
- Topic 3: The Holy Land and the crusader states. Crusading memoirs and primary sources.
- Topic 4: The third Crusade: Richard and Saladin.
- Topic 5: The fourth Crusade: the sack of Constantinople.
- Topic 6: Crusading in the Thirteenth Century: Saint Louis and the emperor Frederick II.
- Topic 7: The Knights Templar and the military orders.
- Topic 8: The Crusades in literature and in the western consciousness: Walter Scott’s the Talisman. The Crusades and popular culture: Ridley Scott’s Kingdom of Heaven.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of this course, you should:
- have a greater appreciation of historical and cultural differences, and of human nature
- have an increased understanding of the complex relationship between the past and the present
- have a greater awareness of how we moderns see ourselves in relation to the past.
Who Should Enrol
This course is open to anyone with an interest in history.
What part participants had to say:
“An exciting introduction on how to approach historical documents.”
“Very enjoyable course and great class interaction.”
“The presenter, Walter Kudrycz, is incredibly knowledgeable on the subject. He was able to present the information in a very easy to learn way. He was always open to questions and discussion. Very enjoyable.”