Conflict and coexistence 1: Jews, Christians and Muslims from antiquity through the middle ages

The unit deals with the social, cultural, political, economic and intellectual interactions of Jews with Christians and Muslims from antiquity through the Middle Ages. In a contemporary world that frames these relations as a 'clash of civilisations,' the course retraces the shifting relationships between the three monotheistic traditions, emphasising Jewish life in the medieval period under Christian and Islamic rule. We will start the unit with the foundational texts of the three monotheistic religions, examining how these societies defined themselves and others. Moving to the medieval period we will explore the interactions between Christians, Jews and Muslims-the shared texts, spaces, and intellectual ideas that united all three societies. Even in moments of extreme violence, we see evidence of coexistence alongside conflict.