Spring 2005

MES 322K • Spain of Three Cultures

Course Description

In the thirteenth century, King Alfonso X of Castile referred to himself as "The King of the Three Cultures" or "The King of the Three Religions." In this course, our focus will be on the three cultures that co-existed in medieval Spain - the Islamic, the Jewish and the Christian - and the concept known as convivencia. Readings will be taken from literary and historical texts. The visual arts (especially architecture) of medieval Spain will also be of interest to us. The art and architecture that will be studied in this course are as follows: Hispanoroman architecture; Visigoth architecture & votive crowns; Islamic architecture: the Alhambra, the Mezquita; Romanesque, Gothic & Mudejar architecture; Isabelline & Plateresque architecture

Grading Policy

Two Exams 40% Two papers 40% Oral Reports 10% Attendance and Participation 10%

Texts

A packet of readings Literary Texts: Selected Mazarbic jarchas (11th century) Poem of the Cid (12th century) Selections from Berceos Miracles of Our Lady (13th century) Selections from writings of Alfonso X Selections from Santob de Carrións Moral Proverbs (14th century) Ballads (romances fronterizos) Lope de Vega, Fuenteovejuna

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