HIST 642: Humanism and the Renaissance

HIST 642-001: Humanism and Renaissance
(Spring 2015)

07:20 PM to 10:00 PM M

Section Information for Spring 2015

This course examines some of the older as well as most recent interpretations of the European Renaissance (ca. 1350-1520). We shall begin with a look at humanism, which formed the intellectual foundation of the Renaissance, then turn to the various ways in which scholars have interpreted and re-interpreted this period ever since Jacob Burckhardt’s classic interpretation of the nineteenth century. Readings will be divided between primary and secondary sources. We shall read contemporary texts by authors such as Leon Battista Alberti, Niccolò Machiavelli, Giorgio Vasari, and Baldesar Castiglione among others. We shall also pay especial attention to how recent social, cultural, and art historians have both destroyed and reinforced various parts of the Burckhardtian paradigm. Secondary readings for the course shall include Jacob Burckhardt, The Civilization of the Renaissance in Italy, Johan Huizinga, The Autumn of the Middle Ages, Charles Nauert, Humanism and the Culture of Renaissance Europe, Paul Grendler, Schooling in Renaissance Italy, Michael Baxandall, Painting and Experience in Renaissance Italy, Anthony Grafton, Leon Battista Alberti, Sebastian de Grazia, Machiavelli in Hell, Edward Muir’s Mad Blood Stirring, and many others. Students who have no background knowledge about the period should read a basic textbook on the Renaissance before the start of the semester. An excellent textbook available in paperback is Margaret L. King, The Renaissance in Europe (McGraw-Hill, 2005: ISBN 0-07-283626-1). This course fulfills the Europe pre-1789 requirement.

Tags:

Course Information from the University Catalog

Credits: 3

The Renaissance as a unique period in European cultural history from ca. 1350 to 1520. Concentrates on Italian situation as standard, with consideration given to manifestations of Renaissance in northern Europe, especially Germany, until Reformation. Focuses on recent studies of political, social, intellectual, and religious changes. Students write class reports and a larger bibliographic paper. May not be repeated for credit.
Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.

Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.

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