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Academic Year 2004/2005


The Italian Renaissance
COL 106 SP

Crosslistings:
HIST 121

What was the Italian Renaissance? Who brought it about and why? Whom did it excite and whom did it exclude? What were its lasting consequences? The Italian Renaissance is a contested historical moment today: Was it a secular philosophy celebrating the individual or a public relations campaign benefiting the ruling powers of church and state? This seminar looks at the origins of the concept of the Renaissance and then seeks answers to these questions in the society and culture of Renaissance Italy (1300-1600) itself. Italian thinkers and artists responded to a variety of pressures and opportunities in these centuries; we will analyze the literary, philosophical, and artistic works of the Italian Renaissance in their historical context.

MAJOR READINGS

Some secondary sources, but mainly primary sources (historical, literary and philosophical) including:
Machiavelli, THE PRINCE
Machiavelli, MANDRAGOLA
Plato, THE SYMPOSIUM
K. Bartlett, THE CIVILIZATION OF THE ITALIAN RENAISSANCE: A SOURCEBOOK
E. Cochrane & J. Kirshner, READINGS IN WESTERN CIVILIZATION, VOL. 5 THE RENAISSANCE
B. Kohl and A. Smith, eds., MAJOR PROBLEMS IN THE HISTORY OF THE ITALIAN RENAISSANCE

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

3-4 page bi-weekly papers, active participation in discussion.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

Attendance and participation in class discussion.

COURSE FORMAT: Seminar

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

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

Prerequisites: NONE

SECTION 01

Instructor(s): Nussdorfer,Laurie    
Times: ..T.R.. 10:30AM-11:50AM;     Location: BTFDC210;
Reserved Seats:    (Total Limit: 15)
SR. major: X   Jr. major: X
SR. non-major: X   Jr. non-major: X   SO: X   FR: 15

Special Attributes:
Curricular Renewal:    Writing
FYI:    FYI Seminar
Links to Web Resources For This Course.

Last Updated on MAR-21-2005


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