Comparative Expulsions of Jews: England, France, Spain, Portugal, and Milan

3 units

This course provides an in-depth exploration of the expulsions of Jews from England, France, Spain, Portugal, and Milan during the medieval and early modern periods. Studying expulsions forces us to confront the thorny question of religious toleration and introduces students to some of the significant issues that historians of Medieval and Early Modern Jewish history work on. We will first examine the social, religious, political, and economic bases of the Jews' stay. Then, we will try to understand why, at some point, their presence became intolerable. The course emphasizes comparative analysis, allowing students to identify patterns and divergences across different regions and explore the broader implications for Jewish communities and European societies.