[Wesleyan Home Page]
[Wesmaps Home Page]
[Availability Statistics Search]
[Course Description Search]
[Dept. Search]
COL 391
Political Culture in the Age of Absolutism
COL 391 FA
Crosslistings: HIST271
Photo Caption and Credits
Next Offered in 9798 FA
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 and 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: Seminar Discussion
REGISTRATION INFORMATION
Level: UG Credit: 1.00
Gen Ed Area & Dept: SBS COL
Prerequisites:
None
Last Updated on MAR-10-1997
About the Photo:
Reference:
Roberts, John. CIVILIZATION, VOLUME I: THE
EMERGENCE OF MAN IN SOCIETY. Del Mar,
California: CRM Books, 1973
Contact wesmaps@wesleyan.edu to
submit comments or suggestions.
Copyright Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut, 06459