FIST240 - The Performative Space of the Renaissance Italian Court

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Academic Year 2000/2001

The Performative Space of the Renaissance Italian Court
FIST 240 SP

Crosslistings:
ITAL 236

A great deal of recent critical attention has focused on the performative aspects of Renaissance courtly culture as represented through both textual and visual means. This course will examine the diverse manifestations of "perfomativity" in the courts of late 15th- and early 16th-century Italy, and in particular, the papal courts of Julius II and Leo X, through reading texts written about or dealing with courts--Ariosto's Orlando furioso, Machiavelli's Prince, and Castiglione's Courtier as well as the vernacular comedies of Bibbiena, Machiavelli, and Ariosto that were actually written for and perfomed in them. We will study the ways in which physical space delineated and provoked "performance" through the construction of buildings and their decoration , and we will explore how public spectacles and processions both enacted and effected the ideological programs of their authors/performers. All texts will be read in translation.

MAJOR READINGS

Ariosto: Orlando furioso; The deceivers
Machiavelli: The Prince; Mandragola
Castiglione: The Courtier
Bibbiena: Calandria

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

There will be two brief essays (3-4 pages) based on in-class presentations during the course of the semester, and one final paper (8-10 pages).

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

The course will be conducted in English as a seminar, and students with broad interests in Renaissance and early modern culture are especially encouraged to participate.

Unless preregistered students attend the first class meeting or communicate directly with the instructor prior to the first class, they will be dropped from the class list. NOTE: Students must still submit a completed Drop/Add form to the Registrar's Office.

COURSE FORMAT: Seminar

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UGRD Credit: 1 Gen Ed Area Dept: HA RLAN Grading Mode: Graded

Prerequisites: NONE

SECTION 01

Instructor(s): Wyatt,Michael

Times: .M..... 02:40PM-05:00PM; Location: CFHSEM

Reserved Seats: (Total Limit: 15)

SR. major: Jr. major:

SR. non-major: 4 Jr. non-major: 4 SO: 4 FR: 3

Special Attributes:

Curricular Renewal: Speaking, Focused Inquiry Course

Links to Web Resources For This Course.

Last Updated on MAR-26-2001