Unit 4: Religious Diversity

Read:

• Amy S. Kaufman, “A Tale of Two Europes: Jews in the Medieval World”

• Anthony Bale, “Representing and Misrepresenting Jews in Medieval Culture”

Watch:

• "Jewish Life in the Middle Ages" Middle Ages for Educators Series

Related Primary Texts:

• Chaucer, “The Prioress’s Tale”

Watch: Jinah Kim, Alexander O’Neill, and Sarah Richardson, "The Pañcarakṣā Sūtra: A Living Buddhist Text from Nepal" 

Description: "'Pañcarakṣā (pronounce: 'pancha-rak-sha') means 'five protectresses' or 'five protector goddesses.' This particular Pañcarakṣā Sūtra belongs to the Newari Buddhist tradition in Nepal and protects users from a range of illnesses and calamities including snake bites, defense from torments of hell, safety during sea journeys, and protection against pestilence. This video is part of the digital exhibit, 'Hidden Stories: Books Along the Silk Roads.'"

Watch: Francisco J. Cintrón Mattei, "'Convivencia' in the Marketplace: The Daily Life of Muslims, Christians, & Jews in Muslim Spain" 

Description: "This video introduces students to Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn ‘Abdūn's (active between the late eleventh century and early twelfth century) risāla, which is a guide for medieval market inspectors. By providing students with a "slice of life" primary source, they can better understand the complex, nuanced ways that Muslims, Jews, and Christians interacted in al-Andalus."

Read: Tom Almeroth-Williams, "Medieval chess promoted racial harmony"