Literature 3070 - Medieval Human Rights

Institution:

Bard College

Subject:

Description:

Human Rights, Medieval Studies Anyone who has encountered references to Afghanistan's Taliban as "medieval" knows thathe Middle Ages represent a time of religious fanaticism, intellectual obscurantism, and rampant violence. Is it fair to assume that medieval society had no notion of human rights? To what extent did medieval concepts such as the just war, feudalism, and chivalry provide protections similar to those enjoyed today? Can understanding the medieval past help modern societies to understand foreign cultures? In pursuing answers to these questions, students read literary, historical, and theological medieval texts, as well as modern theoretical texts. Topics considered include crusades, anti-Semitism, trials by ordeal, heresy, and witchcraft. The works of Augustine and Aquinas, troubadour poets and Christine de Pisan, King Arthur and Vlad the Impaler are juxtaposed.

Credits:

4.00

Credit Hours:

Prerequisites:

Corequisites:

Exclusions:

Level:

Instructional Type:

Lecture

Notes:

Additional Information:

Historical Version(s):

Institution Website:

www.bard.edu

Phone Number:

(845) 758-6822

Regional Accreditation:

Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools

Calendar System:

Semester

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