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Machiavelli
ITAL233 SP

This course will examine the career of Niccolo Machiavelli from the perspective of the actively engaged form of civic humanism that he practiced as a Florentine political figure, historian, and literary author in the late 15th and early 16th centuries. Because Machiavelli's work cuts across scholarly boundaries, the course will explore the particular character of this Italian humanist's legacy from an interdisciplinary point of view. It will begin with The Prince and The Discourses, reading these two texts as quite distinct but inseparable aspects of Machiavelli's political philosophy. The Florentine History will then provide a model for understanding Machiavelli's historiography. The two comedies, Mandragola and Clizia, written toward the end of Machiavelli's life, are vivid pictures of Florentine civic life and illustrate in literary terms important aspects of what their author's earlier literary and historiographical work had aimed to promote. Throughout the semester selections from Machiavelli 's extensive correspondence will be read to situate the production of his books and plays within the life from which they emerged.

MAJOR READINGS

THE PRINCE THE DISCOURSES THE FLORENTINE HISTORY MANDRAGOLA CLIZIA LETTERS

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Two short essays (3-4 pages), two in-class presentations, and one longer final essay (6-8 pages).

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

The course is an advanced seminar, conducted in Italian. All reading, writing assignments, discussion, and in-class presentations are to be done in Italian . 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: Lecture

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

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

Prerequisites: NONE

Last Updated on MAR-24-2000

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