345 Fall 1998

The Italian Renaissance
Fall Semester 1998
Frank Luttmer
108 Classic Hall
M W F: 10-11, 12-1
866-7205
historians@hanover.edu

Course Description and Objectives
The Renaissance is a discussion-oriented seminar focusing on the culture of Italy from roughly 1350 to 1550. The course is designed to introduce students of the liberal arts to the sources and historiography of the Italian Renaissance. While consideration is given to the economic, social, and political history of the period, considerable emphasis is placed on Renaissance humanism and art and on the relationship between culture and society. There are no prerequisites to the course, but students are expected to be able to analyze and interpret primary documents thoughtfully, evaluate alternative interpretations of historiographical problems critically, and write substantive, interpretive research papers.

Readings
Donald Wilcox, In Search of God and Self
Rosa Maria Letts, The Renaissance
Benjamin Kohl and Alison Smith, eds., Major Problems in the History of the Italian Renaissance
Castiglione, The Book of the Courtier
Machiavelli, The Portable Machiavelli
Giorgio Vasari, The Lives of Artists vol. 1
Primary texts taken from the Internet or on reserve in the library.
Joseph Williams, Style (recommended)

Grades
Final grades will be based on an evaluation of the following.

1. Two mid-term exams (15% each) and a final exam (20%)

Exams will consist of short-answer questions and large essay questions. Each of the three exams will cover roughly one-third of the course; the third exam will also include a comprehensive section.
2. A Research paper submitted in two drafts (15% for the first draft and 20% for the second)

The research paper can be on any topic in Italian Renaissance history. Papers are to be analytical and interpretive; they should present a thesis and develop an argument. You are encouraged to use primary sources, and you are expected to examine the historiographical context of your topic. First drafts may be limited to sources available in the Duggan Library, but you are expected to use Interlibrary Loan to obtain additional sources for the final draft. You should include with your first draft a bibliography based on a universal search for sources. The grade of each draft will be based on the quality of the thesis and argument, the quality of the evidence and logic, and the quality of the writing. The grade of the second draft will also reflect the improvement (or lack of improvement) shown between the first and second draft. You should consult with me about your paper at least a week before each draft is due.
3. Class participation and daily writing assignments (15%)

As a small seminar, the success of this class depends upon the quality of the dialogue in class. It is expected that you will attend every class and that you will be fully prepared to discuss the material assigned for that day. Class participation grades will reflect your attendance record, the frequency of your contributions to class discussions, and the quality of your questions, observations, and conclusions.
Each of you will submit a short writing assignment by 8 a.m. on class days. You are to write one or two paragraphs (but not more than one page) summarizing the most significant or revealing points in the day's readings. You are also to articulate questions you have of the material, including at least one substantive, open-ended question that lends itself to different interpretations and could serve as the basis of a discussion. The assignments are to be type-written and may be submitted through email or placed in my mailbox.

Schedule

State and Society in the Renaissance

Sept. 9:
The Problem of the Renaissance
Wilcox, 3-8; Kohl and Smith, 3-31

Sept. 11:
Italian City-States
Wilcox, 11-30, Kohl and Smith, 119-144

Sept. 14:
Italian City-States
Kohl and Smith, 145-176

Sept. 16:
The Fourteenth Century Crisis
Wilcox, 31-42; Kohl and Smith, 35-55

Sept. 18:
The Economy
Kohl and Smith, 56-81

Sept. 21:
Urban Society
Kohl and Smith, 82-115

Sept. 23:
Marriage and Gender
Kohl and Smith, 317-350

Sept. 25:
Conspicuous Consumption
Kohl and Smith, 351-391

Sept. 28:
Spirituality and Ritual
Kohl and Smith, 392-420

Sept. 30:
FIRST EXAM

Renaissance Humanism

Oct. 2:
The Medieval Tradition
Wilcox, 43-56; Aquinas

Oct. 5:
Petrarch
Wilcox, 57-73; Petrarch

Oct. 7:
Petrarch
Kohl and Smith, 215-252

Oct. 9:
Defining Humanism
Wilcox, 74-89; Kohl and Smith, 284-303

Oct. 12:
Humanist Education and Scholarship
Wilcox, 90-105; Kohl and Smith, 303-313

Oct. 14:
Civic Humanism
Kohl and Smith, 253-283

Oct. 16:
Neoplatonism
Wilcox, 106-122; Pico; Ficino

Oct. 21:
Neoplatonism and Science
Wilcox, 123-141; Copernicus

The Early Renaissance in Art

Oct. 23:
The Origins of Renaissance Art
Letts, 1-13; Vasari, 23-47, 57-81; Images of Renaissance Art I

Oct. 26:
The Early Renaissance in Art
Letts, 14-18; Vasari, 83-93, 105-132; Images of Renaissance Art II

Oct. 28:
The Early Renaissance in Art
Letts, 18-28; Vasari, 133-174; Images of Renaissance Art III

Oct. 30:
The Early Renaissance in Art
Letts, 29-54; Vasari, 174-198; Images of Renaissance Art IV

Nov. 2:
Late Cinquecento Art
Letts, 55-70; Vasari, 224-248; Images of Renaissance Art V

Nov. 4:
SECOND EXAM

Court Culture, Politics, and Literature in the High Renaissance

Nov. 6:
Castiglione
Wilcox, 143-156; Castiglione, 31-90

Nov. 9:
Castiglione
Castiglione, 90-104, 124-134, 193-226

Nov. 11:
Castiglione
Castiglione, 281-345

Nov. 13:
Machiavelli
Machiavelli, 77-126

Nov. 16:
Machiavelli
Machiavelli, 126-166

Nov. 18:
Machiavelli
Skinner, 157-172;Kohl and Smith, 177-194

Nov. 20:
Machiavelli
Machiavelli, 167-218

Nov. 23:
Machiavelli
Machiavelli, 218-238, 264-270, 279-306, 345-348, 351-356

Art in the High Renaissance

Nov. 30:
Leonardo
Wilcox, 173-190; Letts, 71-76; Vasari, 249-271; Images of Renaissance Art VI

Dec. 2:
The Venetian Schools and Raphael
Letts, 76-83, 89-94; Vasari, 284-324

Dec. 4:
Michelangelo
Letts, 84-89; Vasari, 325-364

Dec. 7:
Michelangelo
Letts, 94-98; Vasari, 364-442

The Transformation of Italy in the 16th Century

Dec. 9:
The End of the Renaissance in Italy?
Wlicox, 191-200; Kohl and Smith, 421-441

Dec. 11:
The End of the Renaissance in Italy?
Kohl and Smith, 452-456
FINAL DRAFT OF PAPERS DIE

Dec. 14-18:
FINAL EXAM

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