By the end of the course the students should understand the historical background to the establishment of the Seljuq Sultanate of Rum and the broad outlines of its subsequent history. They should also have a general understanding of the complex nature of the Seljuqs' relations with neighboring  states, the reasons for their decline and their major cultural achievements. In addition, the students should be familiar with the major primary sources for the history of the Sultanate of Rum, and the problems with these primary sources.