Key facts
UNE unit code: HIST508
*You are viewing the 2027 version of this unit which may be subject to change in future.
- Trimester 1 - On Campus
- Trimester 1 - Online
- Armidale Campus
- Yes
- Yes
- No
- 6
Unit information

This unit is designed to deepen your understanding and critical analysis of the religious war between the eleventh and fifteenth centuries (1095 CE to 1453 CE) with a focus on efforts to combat Islam and liberate the Near East.
You will explore a wide range of topics, from religious practice and theology to political and military motivations. Crusades against Christian heretics also form an important chapter in this period.
It also provides the opportunity for you to develop your critical, historical and reflective thinking skills through advanced assignment work.
Offerings
For further information about UNE's teaching periods, please go to Principal Dates.
| Teaching period | Mode/location |
|---|---|
| Trimester 1 | On Campus, Armidale Campus |
| Trimester 1 | Online |
*Offering is subject to availability
Intensive schools
| Start | Finish | Duration | Attendance | Offerings | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TBA | TBA | 5 days | Non-Mandatory Intensive School | All offerings | Both on campus and online students are strongly encouraged to attend the intensive school in Armidale. This will involve an entire trimesters program of lectures, tutorials and workshops. An announcement will be made about the Residential School and sent to all students enrolled in History awards and cognate degrees approximately 3-4 months in advance. Those indicating interest in attending will be provided with the readings shortly thereafter. A minimum number of students will be required in order for the intensive school to proceed and those students will be notified four weeks prior to commencement. If the intensive school will not proceed, alternative arrangements for study will be made. The deadline for late registrations is two weeks prior to the start of the Residential School. For further details about any of the foregoing, please contact the Unit Coordinator below. |
Enrolment rules
Notes
Please refer to the student handbook for current details on this unit.
Unit coordinator(s)

Learning outcomes
Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:
- exhibit an advanced, wide-ranging knowledge of the various settings (political, social, religious) in which the Crusades originated and the ability to identify key aspects of, and assess critically the influence of, these settings on beliefs within these societies;
- demonstrate a high level of competence in the use of primary texts as resources for historical study through a working knowledge of the variety of text critical methods available, and of the major concepts and models presently adopted by historians;
- apply advanced competence in the study of primary texts to the task of analysing the texts relating to crusader history;
- apply advanced research skills to gain a critical understanding of the Crusades and the societies with which they impacted;
- write clearly and analytically to present a coherent and sustained argument at a postgraduate level; and
- demonstrate a high level of personal autonomy and accountability in their assigned work.
Assessment information
Assessments are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.
| Title | Must Complete | Weight | Offerings | Assessment Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment 1 | Yes | 50% | All offerings | Alternative assessment and flexible due dates in consultation with the Unit Coordinator may include, but not limited to the following: essay; take-home examination; presentation; special project; or other research-based outcome. No. Words: 3000 |
| Assessment 2 | Yes | 50% | All offerings | Alternative assessment and flexible due dates in consultation with the Unit Coordinator may include, but not limited to the following: essay; take-home examination; presentation; special project; or other research-based outcome. No. Words: 3000 |
Learning resources
Textbooks are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.
Note: Students are expected to purchase prescribed material. Please note that textbook requirements may vary from one teaching period to the next.
The Crusades: A History
ISBN: 9781350028616
Riley-Smith, J., Bloomsbury Academic 4th ed. 2023
Text refers to: All offerings
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