Monash University Handbook 2010 Undergraduate - Unit

Synopsis

The social and cultural history of Western Europe from the fourteenth to the seventeenth century, especially the Italian Renaissance and the spread of its influence in northern Europe in the sixteenth century. Themes include humanism, art and patronage, gender, discovery of the New World, science, political and religious changes in the later Middle Ages, and the dissemination of the civilisation of the Renaissance in Western Europe.

Objectives

Upon successful completion of this unit students will have:

1. Acquired and demonstrated an understanding of the structure of Renaissance European society as it evolved between c.1400 and 1650.

2. Considered critically different ways developed by historians of looking at renaissance society.

3. Become familiar with the major changes which took place in society, the Church and in political institutions between 1400 and 1650, and be able to discuss why these changes took place.

4. Learned how to interpret and discuss critically documents from the renaissance period, provided in translation, setting them in their social context.

5. Learned to relate visual evidence, in particular architecture, to wider changes in renaissance society and intellectual life.

6. Be able to discuss critically and in an informed fashion stereotypes conjured up by the term 'renaissance'.

Assessment

Tutorial preparation and participation: 20%
essay related work: 40%
class tests: 40%

Chief examiner(s)

Peter Howard

Contact hours

3 hours (2 lectures and 1 tutorial) per week

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Religion and theology
History