#  ISLAMCIV 113/HDS 2255: The History of the Moriscos: from the Iberian Peninsula to the Diaspora (16th-18th c.) 

 





 Semester:   Fall 

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 Year offered:  2025 

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 Link: [Course Website](https://canvas.harvard.edu/courses/158319) 

 

 

 

Instructor: Houssem Chachia

This course offers an examination of the history of the Moriscos, a population of Muslims in the Iberian Peninsula who have been forced to convert to Christianity since the early sixteenth century.

The course begins with an examination of the genesis of the Morisco community, placing it in the context of the Muslim presence in the Iberian Peninsula and the historical trajectory of the “Reconquista period”. Students will gain insight into the cultural, economic, and religious practices that shaped Morisco identity during this transformative period. The course will examine the challenges faced by the Moriscos in preserving their cultural and religious identity while living in a predominantly Christian society. The expulsion of the Moriscos from Spain in 1609 represents a pivotal moment in their history, and this course will provide an in-depth analysis of its causes, consequences, and global impact. The Diaspora section will examine the migration of the Moriscos beyond Spain's borders, with a particular focus on their settlement in North Africa. Using an interdisciplinary approach, students will examine the Moriscos' contributions to art, literature, science, and philosophy in their new environment, as well as the challenges they faced in maintaining their distinct identity.

Students will engage with scholarly articles and contemporary accounts to develop a nuanced understanding of the historical trajectory of the Moriscos. By the end of the course, students will have acquired a comprehensive knowledge of Morisco history and its enduring impact on the broader cultural and historical landscape of the Mediterranean and beyond.