One overall task and interesting possibility for the final exam: Compare texts of Osama's pronouncements (and/or the Bushes) concerning Jihad/Holy War/Crusade with the texts surrounding the actual First Crusade. What similarities and differences do you between these modern leaders and the historical usage of these terms? Cite the evidence. Make the arguments.

     Some of Bin Laden's Fatwas are linked to our site of sources under 'Islam.' First Crusade sources linked there also, in the next group below, 'The West Unto the East.'  Read the texts, our books, and anything else you find that you can bring into the discussion. Consult class notes. Think.

      Use the Just War Theory as appropriate, but concentrate on the events and primary source texts surrounding the First Crusade and surrounding the bin Laden/Bush group. Look for direct influence (how religion is used/mis-used) as well as tendency and emphasis (religion as central, one of many motivators or marginal? Politics? Society? Economics? Personal motives?) Think large AND small. Is Bush an invading 'Turk'? Is the U.N. really just a Byzantium labyrinth? Is Osama an Urban II? (Now there's a thought!) And, should we crusade against crusade?

      In other words, track the continuity, influence, use, mis-use, abuse etc of historical ideas in this. But have a little fun too. It lightens the load. Don't just think "outside the box" but play with the box and in it, put boxes in boxes, take boxes apart and put them together with other box-parts -- blend them, re-shape them, re-order them, color them, find new boxes, use bottles instead of boxes, give boxes more, or less, sides -- not all are Six-Sided Boxes....

        In class, we'll try to pull it all together, or at least set the ideas we have side by side. How to pull it together? By building up slowly, brick by brick. Osama and crew certainly see us as Western-Zionist Crusaders who are colonizing the Middle East, a.k.a., imperialists. Well, the first question, raised in Peters' introduction, is: were the First Crusaders responsible for creating an imperialist/colonialist reality,  and/or mentality,  and/or influential model? We have our readings (the Horns of Hattin discussion) and sources of the First Crusade before us in the Peters book and online. Let's build, brick by brick. In other words and in short: Was the First Crusade an imperialist expansion? Was it an unfair and aggressive (and so unjust in terms of Just War Theory) colonial movement? This will come to our discussion table, at a Converse Classroom near you. Deal with your TV & then tune in!

       P.S.  Here is a Time-Table that might help. It is not finished, will be up-dated irregularly. Check the update date. This Time-Table may not be finished in our life-times!