The Renaissance

The course will cover the history of the Renaissance from its origins in 14th century Italy until its gradual decline in the 16th century. The Renaissance, a revival of classical art and learning and a phenomenon in European history, is a very significant part of a much wider story, and therefore it is important to understand how its social, political, economic, and cultural events impacted the modern world. The class will have four sessions. The sessions will be as follows:

I. The first session will introduce the overall scope of this course including the proto-renaissance and its improvements in teaching and writing and therefore its direct impact on the Renaissance itself. Furthermore, we will learn about how the history of the Renaissance shaped the history of the world. We will also discuss the economic and technological developments that were necessary for the birth of the Renaissance in 14th Century Italy. 

II. The second session will begin with the Renaissance in literature and education.  The class will examine several significant representatives of this movement such as Dante Alighieri, Giovanni Boccaccio, Francesco Petrarca, and Niccolo Machiavelli. The session then proceeds to France and England where there was a strong passion for Renaissance writing. 

III. The third session will deal with Renaissance sculpture and architecture. As a case study we will discuss, for instance, the life and works of Donatello, Michelangelo, and Brunelleschi. This will help us better understand the ideas behind the Renaissance and not just the originality of their masterpieces but also the technical innovations. 

IV. The last session will deal with Renaissance painting. The class will learn about the impact of the visual world on artists such as Masaccio, Raphael, and Leonardo da Vinci. Finally, the class will explain the spread of Renaissance ideas and forms outside of Italy and its gradual decline.