Dear Students, I hope your summer break has been nothing less than splendiferous. I'm writing now with news of the fall 2019 semester. Listed below are several really exciting courses that still have a few spots available--register as soon as you can! HIST 144, "Ancient India (Tues/Thurs, 12:15-1:30. Alternatively, this course is offered once a week on Tuesdays, 4:30-7:20)* Professor Roy Chowdhury South Asia, one of the most densely populated regions of the world, is also one of the oldest centers of human activity. Religious systems like Hinduism, Sikhism, Jainism and Buddhism developed here and Islam and Christianity also took root here. This course introduces students to the ancient history of "India before Europe." Through readings and careful consideration of art, architecture and archaeology, we will examine the origins of South Asian civilization, from prehistory to the precolonial era of the eighteenth century. Students will learn about the epic tradition of India, the development of states and empires, theories of kingship, and the diversity of ancient India. *See course flyer in the attachment to this message HIST 286, "Ancient Roman Law" (Tues/Thurs, 12:15-1:30) Professor McDonnell This course will be of interest to any Queens College student considering law school. Unlike most history courses it follows a "case book" method, used in ancient Roman and modern law classes, in which individual cases and the legal problems they involve are read and discussed. It introduces students to legal thinking used in interpreting the specific circumstances of a particular case and applying legal rules and concepts to them. Professor McDonnell provides the ancient historical background, and helps explains the differences and similarities between ancient Roman society and law and modern. HIST 148, "Daily Life in the Medieval Islamic World" (Tues/Thurs, 9:15-10:30)* Professor Richardson Have you ever wondered how people lived in the Middle Ages—what they ate, how they dressed, understood their place in the world, or prayed? In this course, we’ll investigate the history of everyday lives from the beginning of Islam in the 7th century until the Ottomans conquer Arab territories in the 16th century. We will examine a wide range of sources—textual, visual, and archaeological—for insight into everyday practices in medieval Islamdom. This is a discussion-based course that emphasizes immersive history. We will interpret historical recipes and recreate them in a kitchen in Remsen hall, visit the Godwin-Ternbach Museum to handle artefacts, and will receive a visit from a Benedictine monk who has dedicated his life to rescuing Islamic manuscripts from war zones. *See course flyer in the attachment to this message HIST 251, "The Jews in Medieval Christendom" (Mon/Wed, 1:40-2:55) Professor Franklin In late antiquity, Christianity was born from Judaism, yet by the late Middle Ages the Church had become actively hostile toward the Jews and their religion. In this course, we will examine how and why this dramatic shift came about, tracing both violent persecution and more benign religious and cultural interactions. We will explore historical manifestations of medieval anti-Judaism, including the massacre of entire communities of Jews in Germany during the first Crusade, the emergence of the blood libel, and the burning of the Talmud in Paris in 1240. We will also consider the rich heritage of coexistence, as when medieval Christian Bible commentators consulted with Jews in order to better understand the Bible, or when Jewish scribes used Christian motifs to illuminate their manuscripts. Other topics to be covered include the representation of Jews in medieval Christian art, Jewish-Christian disputations, and the origins and development of the Inquisition. This course counts toward concentrations in Ancient and Pre-Modern History, European History since the Fall of Rome, and Jewish History. HIST 190, "Writing and History: The Conquest of Mexico" (Tuesdays, 3:10-6)* Professor Salvatierra History 190 varies in topic from section to section. The topic for this iteration of the course is the Conquest of Mexico. This history is shrouded in legend and misinterpretation that has been repeated so often that we begin to accept it as fact. As we mark the 500-year anniversary of the conquest of Mexico in 1519, it is important to understand what happened, how did it happen, and begin to grapple with the significant changes that ensued for the societies involved. The course will challenge students to consider a set of primary and secondary sources and practice analyzing them by constructing arguments in clear, correct, and formal academic prose. History 190 satisfies the Pathways requirement for College Writing 2. Its only prerequisite is English 110. The course is not required for the history major, but it is recommended to serve as a 3-credit history elective. *See course flyer in the attachment to this message HIST 163, "Race, Gender, and Military History" (Tuesdays, 6:30pm-9:20pm)* Professor Wintermute How do military institutions respond to social pressures and changes? How does war transform the context of gender, race, and ethnicity in civilian society? What are the pressures and challenges imposed by conflict on social constructed forms of personal and collective identity? Is violence in war inherently gendered? How do racial prejudices and perceptions translate into action on the field of battle? What is the future state of warfare in a world of fluid gender, racial, and ethnic identities? These questions and others are the foundation of this combined lecture and discussion weekly course. *See course flyer in the attachment to this message HIST 370-1, "History and Film" (Thursdays, 3:10-6:00)* Professor Wintermute Using a collection of critically acclaimed and popular films, dating from the 1940s to the current day, we will be examining the history and memory of the Second World War. Each week will be devoted to a specific topic, and will include a short topical lecture, a film screening, and a moderated discussion of the film’s historical context, contemporary and current meaning, and production. Don’t forget to bring your popcorn and Mike and Ike’s! *See course flyer in the attachment to this message