Topics in Latin American, Latina & Latino, and Iberian Literatures and Cultures (Taught in English) (397-0-1)
Topic
Spanish Inquisitions: Crypto-Jews and other New Ch
Instructors
Shai Zamir
Meeting Info
Kresge Centennial Hall 2-325: Tues, Thurs 12:30PM - 1:50PM
Overview of class
Spanish Inquisitions: Crypto-Jews and other New Christians in Iberia and America, 1400-1700
This class is dedicated to the study of the Inquisition in early modern Spain and colonial Latin America, probably the most famous institution of Iberian history. We will examine its medieval roots during the Middle-Ages, and the beginning of the Spanish Inquisition in response to the mass conversion of Jews during the fifteenth century. We will discuss the problem of religious conversion and heresy, the persecution of New Christians of Jewish, Muslim, or indigenous descent, and the role of the Inquisition in censoring books and creating Catholic conformity during the age of reformations. We will consider methodological questions such as using Inquisitorial records for studying social and cultural history, and historiographical ones concerning religious violence and tolerance, modernity, and state formation.(Taught in English)
Learning Objectives
• The students will acquire knowledge of early modern Jewish and Spanish history and become familiar with relevant primary and secondary sources.
• The students will learn how to read a scholarly article or chapter and how to make a historical argument based on the evidence found in primary sources.
• The students will be able to appreciate the impact of historical developments such as the marginalization or racialization of social groups, and the formation of ethnic and religious communities.
• The students will learn how to evaluate the experience of individuals while taking into consideration broader social context and structures.
Evaluation Method
Responses: 25%
Participation: 10%
Essay: 20%
Quiz: 20%
Final Essay: 25%
Class Materials (Required)
Materials will be provided by instructor.
Class Attributes
Literature & Fine Arts Distro Area