BASC50016 - Historical Geography of the Land of the Bible

Course Description

This three quarter series is a study of the historical geography of the land of the Bible from prehistory to the establishment of the modern State of Israel and the conflict over the Palestinian territories. While the history of this land varies from one era to the next, the land remains the same. Across this land traveled figures of faith like Abraham, David, Jesus, Muhammed, and the countless pilgrims following in their paths. As the land bridge between Europe, Asia and Africa, this land has also been a strategic possession to the empires that surround it. Over the past 5000 years, this land has been controlled by Egyptians, Israelites, Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, Greeks, Romans, Turks, Arabs and Jews. While rulers have changed from one era to another, the land remains the same. Thus, the focus of this course is on the land of the Bible, on the geo-dynamics that have made it significant for religion and history.

The focus of the Spring Quarter is: The Holy Land from the Ottoman Empire to the Modern State of Israel and Palestinian Territories (1450-2019 CE).