[ Wesleyan Home Page ] [ WesMaps Home Page ] [ WesMaps Archive ] [ Course Search ] [ Course Search by CID ]
Academic Year 2001/2002


Political Culture in the Age of Absolutism
COL 391 FA

Crosslistings:
HIST 271

This reading and discussion seminar explores the character of politics in 16th- and 17th-century Western Europe from a comparative and interdisciplinary perspective. It will focus on political institutions, symbols and rituals in a variety of settings--urban, rural, court and street--in France and England. Attention will be paid to the role of gender, class and religion in shaping political styles and discourse. Readings will include important historical studies, translated primary sources a nd works by scholars in the related disciplines of art history, literary criticism and cultural anthropology.

MAJOR READINGS

William Beik, ABSOLUTISM AND SOCIETY IN SEVENTEENTH-CENTURY FRANCE Natalie Davis, SOCIETY AND CULTURE IN EARLY MODERN FRANCE Norbert Elias, THE COURT SOCIETY Clifford Geertz, THE INTERPRETATION OF CULTURES Ralph Giesey, THE ROYAL FUNERAL CEREMONY IN RENAISSANCE FRANCE Christopher Hill, THE WORLD TURNED UPSIDE DOWN Stephen Orgel, THE ILLUSION OF POWER: POLITICAL THEATER IN THE ENGLISH RENAISSANCE HISTORICAL MEMOIRS OF THE DUC DE SAINT-SIMON

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Two short (3-5 page) papers on assigned topics; one 8-10 page paper on topic related to course.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

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. Since this is a reading and discussion seminar, attendance at all classes is expected. Because this course requires active participation and close reading, seniors writing theses may find that the seminar is not appropriate for them.

COURSE FORMAT: Lecture

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UGRD    Credit: 1    Gen Ed Area Dept: SBS COL    Grading Mode: Student Option   

Prerequisites: NONE Links to Web Resources For This Course.

Last Updated on MAR-19-2002


Contact wesmaps@wesleyan.edu to submit comments or suggestions. Please include a url, course title, faculty name or other page reference in your email

Copyright Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut, 06459