Traditionally, the Middle Age has been studied exclusively associated with western and Christian Europe, however, a very important part of the main problems in this period (even for western and Christian Europe) happened or had their origin in the Muslim world. Therefore, this course seeks to analyze and understand Muslim history, so the students will have a better comprehension of the past. This course is a course about the other, from the European perspective, and its history, which has a high value nowadays if we take into consideration that Europe has become a multiethnic and multi-religious space, and Europe's history and space have been shaped by the contact with the Muslim world. Hence, the emphasis will not be only on the event, but on the problems (sciences, cities, art, etc.). Thus, the course address topics such as pre-Islamic history, Muhammad and the formation of Islam, Rashidun Caliphates, the Umayyad Empire, the Abbasid Empire, the Fatimid Caliphate, the crusade from the Muslim perspective, the Mamluk dynasty, Turkic kingdoms (Seljuks and Ottomans), Muslim Italy and Spain, etc. Evaluation: 1. Attendance and participation 2. Presentation and chapter review 3. final essay Syllabus: 1. Introduction 2. Muhammad and the formation period 3. Rashidun Caliphate 4. Umayyad Caliphate 5. Abbasid Caliphate 6. Fatimid Caliphate 7. Seljuk Empire 8. The Crusades through Arab eyes 9. Ayyubids Dynasty 10. Mamluks Sultanate 11. Al-Andalus 12. Emirate of Sicily 13. Conclusions

Traditionally, the Middle Age has been studied exclusively associated with western and Christian Europe, however, a very important part of the main problems in this period (even for western and Christian Europe) happened or had their origin in the Muslim world. Therefore, this course seeks to analyze and understand Muslim history, so the students will have a better comprehension of the past. This course is a course about the other, from the European perspective, and its history, which has a high value nowadays if we take into consideration that Europe has become a multiethnic and multi-religious space, and Europe's history and space have been shaped by the contact with the Muslim world. Hence, the emphasis will not be only on the event, but on the problems (sciences, cities, art, etc.). Thus, the course address topics such as pre-Islamic history, Muhammad and the formation of Islam, Rashidun Caliphates, the Umayyad Empire, the Abbasid Empire, the Fatimid Caliphate, the crusade from the Muslim perspective, the Mamluk dynasty, Turkic kingdoms (Seljuks and Ottomans), Muslim Italy and Spain, etc.