The Renaissance! History, Art, Science, Ideas, and Trade

Explore the foundations of the modern world!  The Renaissance is a dynamic and exciting time in Europe!  This class will provide an thorough introduction to the causes and impacts of the Renaissance in Europe.  Each week we will rotate topics, exploring primary documents and visual sources to discuss the vibrant cultural changes of the Renaissance era.  My teaching style is discussion based to help the students learn how to explore and engage with real history.  This class will provide a solid background of this pivotal time in history to prepare students to explore the early modern and modern world.  

This course is offered as a self paced course as well.  See also my related world literature courses and DBQ writing.  

What to expect in this course:
-develop skills of primary document analysis
-find an appreciation of the scientific, mathematical, artistic, and intellectual achievements
-develop an understanding of the causation
-understand the economic underpinnings

Week 1 we will look at primary documents and discuss the causes and background to the Renaissance including the Plague and the Crusades.  We will discuss how these events changed life in Europe, as well as discussing the question of if the Renaissance is a break from the Middle Ages or flows naturally out of that time.  
Week 2 we will focus on humanism and the philosophical/worldview changes occurring in the Renaissance.  Again, we will use primary documents and samples of literature to explore these ideas.
Week 3 will focus on the economic shifts of the Renaissance that make such changes possible, as well as lead us into the modern age.
Week 4 will focus on the artistic changes of the Renaissance, from the great masters to lesser known artists.  We will look at various images and discuss the shifting styles in the context of the shifting worldview.
Week 5 finally, will focus on the scientific impact on the Renaissance.  Changes in art led directly to a new perspective and exploration in science.