The Ottoman Empire (Dr. Steve Rosenthal)

For Monday's blog - read the selection on Ottoman history (the pages are continuous, not cut off, just scroll down in the pdf document and the next page shall appear) and speak about two things of interest.

Also - try to come with a question for Professor Rosenthal.

THE DECAMERON - THE MOVIE

Here is the Andreuccio story from the "Decameron" film I mentioned briefly in class - there are no subtitles but you know the story and can follow along nonetheless!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LfDrDSgXZw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAIUCSJnCQA

Dr. Maria Frank's Lecture on Italian Culture

Please read Dr. Frank's essay sent to you via email ("Dante's Muhammad") and write about one topic that you find interests you in her discussion.
Also - come with a question to ask Dr. Frank in class.

The Decameron - Day Two

As with last Wednesday, please bring up topics from at least two of the stories that tie in to overarching themes we have discussed over the semester.
In addition - please bring one question to class to share in the discussion.

The Decameron - Day One

For today's readings, focus on a theme that you feel speaks to aspects of the Mediterranean culture/s we've discussed over the semester - travel, religion, ethnicity, education, love, trade, etc. How does this theme manifest itself in the stories? Why? Speak about specific scenes within the text to support your analysis.

Book of Good Love (the movie) - who knew?

Travel Literature (Dr. Amanda Walling)

Please consider both questions forwarded by Dr. Walling for your blog posting:

Travel around the Mediterranean world in the Middle Ages and Renaissance was driven by several factors, including trade, warfare, and religious pilgrimages. For Monday's class, we'll be looking at two very different travel accounts by travelers from England who made their way to the Mediterranean. Margery Kempe (c. 1373-c. 1440) was a rather eccentric English mystic, an ordinary wife, mother, and businesswoman who began experiencing religious visions. As you read about her pilgrimage to Jerusalem and Rome, think especially about the importance of physical space--what does it mean to a woman like Kempe to be in a place where something sacred happened long ago? Think also about the travel itself--a pilgrimage like Kempe's would have taken many months; what does she emphasize about her journey? Is it just about getting to her destination or are there valuable spiritual and cultural experiences along the way?

Our other readings are from the Travels of Sir John Mandeville, a French book that claims to have been written by an English knight who traveled in Egypt, the Middle East, India, and China between 1332 and 1366. We can't be sure if he was the real author, or even how many of these places the author actually visited; he relies heavily on legends and magical tales. When you read Mandeville's account, think especially about how he describes foreign cultures (especially non-Christian ones), and about the kinds of details he thinks are worth sharing about foreign lands. In his stories, what is the appeal of the world beyond Western Europe for readers who would never see it?