Culture and Society in Renaissance Italy
HIST 246
Spring 2010
| Section:
01
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| Crosslisting:
MDST 246, COL 247 |
| Course Cluster: Urban Studies |
Renaissance Italy was the birthplace of artists like Leonardo da Vinci and Michaelangelo, of writers like Petrarch, political thinkers like Machiavelli, and international bankers like the Medici. This extraordinary development occurred in a brief time period and in cities barely larger than Middletown. How and why did this happen? What were its consequences? This course examines the astonishing transformation that took place in the culture and society of Renaissance Italy from the 14th through the 16th centuries. What were its roots, essential features, and importance for the history of Europe and beyond? The course will pay particular attention to the connections between social, economic, and political structures to art, literature, and the history of ideas. |
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Essential Capabilities:
Interpretation
Students will be encouraged to develop their own interpretations of controversial topics based on their readings, discussions, and individual reflections: Was the Renaissance medieval or modern? Was there a Renaissance for women? Is Machiavellian political thought evil? Is Renaissance art the product of individual genius or of social structures?
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| Credit: 1 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
SBS HIST |
| Course Format: Lecture / Discussion | Grading Mode: Graded |
| Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: None |
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Fulfills a Requirement for: (CEAS-Arcp/Hist)(HIST-MN)(HIST)(MDST)(MDST-Art/Arch)(MDST-History)(MDST-Lang/Lit)(MDST-Phil/Reli) |
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Past Enrollment Probability: Not Available |
| SECTION 01 |
Major Readings: Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
Margaret King, THE RENAISSANCE IN EUROPE;
Kenneth Bartlett. THE CIVILIZATION OF THE ITALIAN RENAISSANCE;
Niccolo Machiavelli. THE PORTABLE MACHIAVELLI
Readings from R. Goldthwaite, WEALTH AND THE DEMAND FOR ART IN ITALY, 1300-1600; I. Dante Alighieri, THE DIVINE COMEDY; Francesco Petrarca, LETTER TO POSTERITY, THE ASCENT OF MOUNT VENTOUX; Giovanni Boccaccio, DECAMERON; Leonardo Bruni, IN PRAISE OF FLORENCE.
There will be additional assigned readings from other books and primary sources.
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Examinations and Assignments:
Mid-term and final exam. Each will have an in-class section and a 5-7 page section distributed ahead of time and due the day of the exam. |
Additional Requirements and/or Comments:
Active participation in class discussion based on weekly readings. No unexcused absences. No extensions. |
| Instructor(s): Brown,Judith C. Times: .M...F. 11:00AM-12:20PM; Location: ALLB304; |
| Total Enrollment Limit: 35 | | SR major: 4 | JR major: 4 | | |
| Seats Available: 25 | GRAD: 0 | SR non-major: 4 | JR non-major: 6 | SO: 10 | FR: 7 |
| Drop/Add Enrollment Requests | | | | | |
| Total Submitted Requests: 0 | 1st Ranked: 0 | 2nd Ranked: 0 | 3rd Ranked: 0 | 4th Ranked: 0 | Unranked: 0 |
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