HIST 229 - Italy: A Medieval Tale of Three Cities

CR: 3.0
Most people think of ancient Rome or the Renaissance when considering Italian history, but what happened “in between”? This travel course provides an introduction to the medieval history (500-1300 CE/AD) of the Big Three of Italian cities: Rome, Venice, and Florence. Medieval Italy was a major crossroads of international contact between the Catholic west, Greek Byzantine and Holy Roman Empires, and Islamic states. We will explore the religious, intellectual, political, economic, and artistic exchanges that built on the ancient past and led to the Renaissance future. We will also have short trips to places like Pisa, Assisi, Ravenna, and Salerno. Along the way, we will of course encounter major ancient and Renaissance sites. A prior course in pre-modern history, archaeology, or art history is recommended, but not required. Study Abroad/Travel Course