There will be seven informal writing assignments due throughout the course of the semester. These are designed to hone your ability to analyze sources for the history of the crusades. The assignments are listed on the syllabus on the day they are due. Because the assignments will provide a basis for discussion, late assignments will be accepted only under exceptional circumstances. The due dates are as follows.

1. 10 Feb: paragraph on Pope Urban's preaching of the First Crusade
2. 24 Feb: map of First Crusade geographical features
3. 10 Mar: comparison of old and new knighthood
4. 5 Apr: letter home describing summer "work-study" program with Saladin
5. 19 Apr: debate on responsibility for diversion of Fourth Crusade
6. 5 May: map of Far East based on Joinville
7. 12 May: crusader poem

Two Textual Analysis Exercises: on primary sources, with assigned topics, 800-1000 words (3-4 pages) each. These assignments must be word-processed and you should pay careful attention to spelling, grammar, and punctuation. More information will come to you well before the assignment is due. These exercises are due in class on 3 March and 21 April respectively. Exercises turned in late will be accepted, but the grade will be lowered by one grade per day. Papers are considered late once class begins (give or take a few minutes).