Drawing on recent debates about the functions and development of military fortifications and the formation of a 'crusading ethos' in medieval western Europe after 1099, this course will explore the culture and conduct of war in the religiously charged context of the crusades in the Eastern Mediterranean. Examining the history of crusader warfare through the interpretive lenses of acculturation and cultural brokerage, it will identify key aspects of cross-fertilization and cultural conservatism in military tactics, developments and conduct, thereby contributing to a better understanding of medieval military culture before the age of chivalry.

The class will meet for two hours of seminars each week for ten weeks.

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The standard assessments for this course are:

■ Class essay (3,000 words) - 70%

■ Seminar presentation (15 minutes) and paper (1,000 words) - 30%

If required, for instance where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, the following alternatives are available:

■ There is no alternative to the essay, but flexible deadlines can be offered as reasonable adjustments (students should follow the usual process for extensions)

■ Recorded presentation OR one-to-one presentation/discussion/Q&A with staff (where presentation would normally be in class) as an alternative to the seminar presentation

Further reasonable adjustments may be provided where necessary. Students are encouraged to consult with the course convenor.

The course aims to:

■ explore the culture and conduct of war in the religiously charged context of the crusades in the Eastern Mediterranean, drawing on recent debates;

■ identify key aspects of cross-fertilization and cultural conservatism in military tactics, developments and conduct, thereby contributing to a better understanding of medieval military culture before the age of chivalry;

■ examine the history of crusader warfare through the interpretive lenses of acculturation and cultural brokerage;

■ provide students with the historiographical and methodological preparation necessary to undergo further research into the history of the crusades.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ illustrate an understanding of the military history of the crusades in the Eastern Mediterranean

■ identify and evaluate important developments in crusading warfare with regards to their cultural significance and implications

■ discuss and assess different forms of trans-cultural fertilization in medieval warfare

■ provide familiarity with the historiography of crusading warfare and proficiency in the use of textual sources in oral and written form