GER 320 - History of Tolerance from the Middle Ages to the Eighteenth Century and Beyond

Today, more than ever, we need to discuss and explore the topic of tolerance, and examine the roots of this philosophical and ethical approach to human life. We will trace the discourse on toleration and then tolerance from biblical times through the Middle Ages until the late eighteenth century, giving equal weight to ancient, medieval, Renaissance, and Enlightenment texts, such as romances, poetry, treatises, plays, and prose novellas. The course intends to educate students about the history of tolerance and make them to experts in the relevant discourse.