Santa Clara University

Western Civilization for Adults (V & VI)

The popular Western Civilization for Adults series continues this quarter with a fresh look at the so-called Middle Ages. Join Professor Dorothea French and friends as they examine politics, religion, and culture of 11-15^th century Europe. There are no pre-requisites for the sequence, and each class is completely independent, so you can sign up for either or both. These classes have been overwhelmingly popular, so sign up early.
 


Western Civilization V- taught by Dorothea French
Crusades and Culture in the High Middle Ages
This class will examine the economic, religious, and political growth of European society in the 11-13^th centuries that helped to create a confident and dynamic Europe. One example of emerging Western European civilization and confidence was a revived and militant papacy which spearheaded crusades not only to recover the Holy Land from the Muslims, but also against heretics or "enemies of the church" in Europe. The High Middle Ages was also a time of tremendous intellectual and artistic activity: a renaissance of classical learning; the emergence of universities; the appearance of a vibrant secular literature; and a building explosion of great Romanesque and Gothic cathedrals that were visible symbols of Christian Europe's vitality. Join Professor French for a look at these stirring events through the examination of the lives of specific individuals such as Urban II, Bernard of Clairvoux, Abelard and Heloise, Eleanor of Aquitaine, Marie de France, and Abbot Suger, to name a few.
Date: Mondays, Mar. 29, Apr. 5, 12, 19, 26
Location: Kennedy Bldg. #306 (on map), Rm. 102
Time: 1:00 pm-3:00 pm
Cost: $65