HIST 383: Jerusalem: City of Faiths

1 unit
Prerequisite: Enrollment in 300-level courses requires prior completion of a 100-level history course or above and at least sophomore standing.
No city in history had meant so much to so many for so long as Jerusalem. This course covers the legendary kings like David and Solomon 3000 years ago, the tumultuous life of Jesus and Jerusalem’s second destruction by the Romans, the Crusades between Muslims and Christians, and the contentious modern conflict between Palestinians and Israelis. We will also examine the many meanings that have made Jerusalem an ideal, the city on a hill, Zion, al-Quds, the axis mundi at the center of the world, inspiration to pilgrims, mystics, utopian idealists and brutal conquerors. Students interested in any time or place can find a connection to Jerusalem. Riedel