Medieval Queens and Kings: Islamic and Christian Rulers of

the Mediterranean. This course explores often overlooked rulers and centers of power of the Middle Ages to expand discussion beyond kings of Christian Europe. It investigates the history of powerful queens, African dynasties, and Muslim rulers alongside those of European monarchies. Students compare and contrast models of rulership in contexts such as the 'Abbasid Caliphate, Kingdom of Jerusalem, Crown of Castile, the Holy Roman Empire, Byzantium, and the Solomonic Ethiopian Dynasty.