Download History 411: Renaissance Civilization, 1300-1600

History 411: Renaissance Civilization, 1300-1600
Tue/Thurs 12:30—1:45 p.m.
PHSC 301
Spring 2011
Lawrence M. Bryant, Ph.D.
California State University, Chico 205 Trinity Hall
Tel. (530) 898-5175
Email: [email protected]
Conference Hours: Tuesdays & Thursdays 2:00—3;30 p.m. & by appointment.
Books for the Course [Available in Book Store in the Student Union]:
Brown, Alison Brown, The Renaissance (Second edition). Harlow, England: Pearson Education
Group, 1999. [Cited hereafter as Brown]
Burckhardt, Jacob. The Civilization of the Renaissance in Italy. London: Penguin Classics,
1990. [Cited hereafter as Burckhardt]
Machiavelli, Niccolo. The Prince, ed. & trans. By Robert M. Adams. New York: A Norton
Critical Edition, Second Edition, 1992. [Cited hereafter as The Prince]
Schiffman, Zachary S.. Humanism and the Renaissance. In Problems in European Civilization
Series. Boston & New York: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2002. [Cited hereafter as Humanism].
Thames and Hudson Dictionary of the Italian Renaissance, edited by J. R. Hale. New York,
N.Y: Thames and Hudson, c. 1981 (1989 printing?). [Cited hereafter as Dictionary.]
Reader for Renaissance Civilization: History 411 Fall 2009. Complied by Lawrence Bryant.
[Cited hereafter as Reader]
Other resources for History 411
Castiglione, Baldesar. The Book of the Courtier: Digitized by Internet Archive.
http://www.archive.org/details/book of courtier00castuoft
Library Reference or Reserve: recommended additional studies for paper topics & readings
{Additional suggestions will be forthcoming in class}
Dickens, A. G.. Editor. The Courts of Europe. Reserve: GT3510 C68 1977
Grendler, Paul. Editor in Chief. Encyclopedia of the Renaissance. 6 Volumes.
Reference: CB361 E52
Concise Encyclopedia of the Italian Renaissance, ed. by J. R. Hale. Reference on DG445 C66
Rabil, Albert. Editor. Renaissance Humanism. Vol. I, Foundations. Forms. and Legacy,
Vol. 2, Humanism Beyond Italy., and Vol. 3, Humanism and the Disciplines.
Reserve: B778 R43 1988
Vasari, Giorgio. Lives of the Most Eminent Painters. Sculptors. & Architects. 10 Vols.
On Shelves: N6922 V35
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Course Objectives and Plan:
The course begins by reviewing the thesis of the Italian Renaissance as a worldtransforming event in intellectual and cultural history as well as social and political life, which
was put forth in 1860 by the Swiss historian, Jacob Burckhardt. His much debated thesis argued
that an entirely new kind of personality and a new belief about the possibilities of history-- that
is, of humans to make and to transform the world -- came about in Italy between 1350 and
1550. Burckhardt saw this new personality and new belief as seedbeds from which the "Modern
World" came forth. His ―thesis‖ is discussed and critqued in the essays collected in Humanism
and the Renaissance, a required book for the course. Today, scholars and intellectuals see
Burckhardt‘s insights into the Italian Renaissance as a major beginning point to what has come
to be know as ―The Great Separation‖ or what Professor Mark Lilla has noted is the
… liberal-democratic order [that] is the only one we in the West recognize as
legitimate today, and we owe it primarily to [Thomas] Hobbes [and his Leviathan of
1651]. In order to escape the destructive passions of messianic faith, political theology
centered on God was replaced by political philosophy centered on man. This was the
Great Separation (Mark Lilla, ―The Politics of God‖ in The New York Times Magazine,
August 19, 2007 / Section 6, 28-35, 50-55.
In a famous passage, Burckhardt stated the ―great separation‖ this way‖
In the character of these [Italian] States, whether republics or despotisms, lies not the only,
but the chief reason for the early development of the Italian into modern man. It is this that
made it inevitable that he should be the first-born among the sons of modern Europe…. In
the Middle Ages both sides of human consciousness--that which was turned within and that
which was turned without--lay as though dreaming or half awake beneath a common veil.
The veil was woven of faith, illusion, and childish prepossession, though which the world
and history were seen clad in strange hues. Man was conscious of himself only as a member
of a race, people, party, family, or corporation-only through some general category. It is in
Italy that this veil dissolved first; there arose an objective treatment and consideration of the
State and of all the things of this world, and at the same time the subjective side asserted
itself with corresponding emphasis. Man became a spiritual individual and recognized
himself as such. In the same way the Greek had once distinguished himself from the
barbarian, and the Arab had felt himself an individual at a time when other Asiatics knew
themselves only as members of a race. It will not be difficult to show that this result was
due above all to the political circumstances of Italy. [The Civilization of the Renaissance in
Italy, trans. S.G.C. Middlemore (Penguin Books) v. 1. pt.2, p.98.]
Over a hundred and fifty year later, The Civilization of the Renaissance in Italy
remains a truly magnificent and extraordinary book -- one that I admire more each time that I
read it since my first time as an undergraduate in Renaissance History in 1964. The book has
been much praised and criticized in its themes, conclusions, values, and methods; the course
will look at Burckhardt‘s thesis in the light of the changes in scholarly concerns, ideas about
culture, and judgments about social and political correctness that have taken place since its
appearance. During this time-period, western perspectives and organization of human lives
throughout the globe has greatly changed human thought and the condiditions of human
existence. You are asked to purchase an inexpensive copy of Burckhardt‘s book, and the course
of study will explore many of his themes and interpretations.
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In general, the course of study follows the well-established historiography for an
introduction to the Renaissance and explores the issues raised by Burckhardt, Florentine
history, humanism, individualism, politics, and new cultural styles and technologies. These
topics serve as touchstones to understanding the historical period, its sources, its creative
―newness, and its "reception" in Italy and then among other cultural communities. The
chronology and issues that Alison Brown sets forth in her excellent short book on The
Renaissance will supple the guide and general background to topics and Hale‘s Dictionary will
be regularly used as a source of information to topics covered in the course and lectures. The
first weeks of class will be spent on Italian cultural and political developments between 1300
and 1450. Key elements and interpretations of the period will be considered in readings from a
collection of scholars edited by Zachery Schiffman, and in primary sources in the History 411
Reader, which I have compiled; it is available in the Student Union Book Store. Other works
will be available on ―electronic reserve,‖ reserve shelves, and/or the reference sections of the
Meriam Library. Lecture notes and other materials will be posted on the Course‘s Portal.
Particular attention will be given to Francesco Petrarch, other humanists and artists, major
artistic and civic achievements such as the building of the Florentine Cathedral, the rise of
military and merchant despots, the revolutionary attempt to create a Christian Republic by the
monk Savonarola and the development of a theory for the ―great separation‖ in Machiavelli's
The Prince. The transference of Italian Renaissance political thought and world views to
Northern Europe will be explored by various reading assignments. An eight (8) page out of
class final essay paper (based on course materials and additional research) on four people,
works, events or places that represent changes in outward style, culture, politics and/or thought
that was brought about by the European Renaissance with reference notes to resources from the
course readings will be the final assignment for the course, unless I judge that a final short
identification is necessary to evaluate students who have not sufficiently participated in the
class. More explanations will be given during class meetings,
Format, Assignments, and Grading:
Students are asked always to remember that the class's success depends on participation,
timely completion of assignments, and class attendance. [Three (3) points are automatically
deduced from the final grade for each absence.] Historical knowledge of the Renaissance puts
you among an educated few, and I want you to take pleasure in learning this material. At the
same time, each student should keep in mind the topics and assignments for the day. The result
of your course readings will be represented in class discussion, in class writings, two (2) book
review essays, a mid-term examination and the term paper. Assignments are made in the
syllabus. Extensions of due dates for assignments are discouraged but possible in dire
circumstances.
The class shall gradually move from a lecture format to a format that devotes at least 50%
of the meeting time to discussion and analysis of primary, interpretative, and textbook
materials. The evaluation of students' course work and final grade will be based on
writings and class participation. Out of class writing assignments must be in print fonts
and kept in a portfolio. Each student is required to have at least one conference with me
during the semester to review her/his portfolio and class work. There may be short
assignments for the portfolio in addition to those noted in the syllabus. Individual student
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reports and discussions on essays in Schiffman‘s Humanism and other topics in articles
or Dictionary of the Italian Renaissance are to be assigned throughout the semester.
The dates, topics, approximate lengths, and approximate percentage weight toward the
final grade of papers and participation are as follows (for specific assignments see dates in
syllabus):
1. Week 3 (10 Feb.)—Portfolio #1--In class one page on Burckhardt‘s thesis:
10%
2. Week 5 (22 Feb.)—Portfolio—One page single space discussion of one of Petrarch‘s
contributions to bringing about change in the culture and thought of his time.
10 %
3.Week 9 (29 March.) –Portfolio—four (4) page double-spaced discussion of course
materials and how they support or challenge a thesis, theme, or problem in one of the V1 Parts
of Burckhardt‘s Civilization of the Renaissance in Italy.
15%
4. Week 11 (14 April) Artist two minute power point and short paper
Portfolio
5.Week 12 (21April)—Portfolio—four double spaced pages contrasting between two
different out looks in Machiavelli‘s Prince and Castiglione‘s Courtier.
20%
6. Week 16 (19 May)— Eight (8) page out-of-class final essay paper (based on course
materials and additional research) on four people, works, events or places that represent
changes in outward style, culture, politics and/or thought that was brought about by the
European Renaissance with reference notes to resources from the course readings.
30%
7. Class participation, Portfolio and possible final short identification examination 15%
Syllabus: Note bene! This syllabus and the assignments are a tentative outline for this
course of study and are subject to modifications and alternations at the discretion of the
course instructor. All specific changes will be announced in class, and each student is
responsible for being abreast and current with these changes.
Week 1. Jan.. 25 Introduction to the Course:
Antiquity, Middle Ages, Trecento, and Quattrocento in Italy
27 Empire and Church:
Brown, pp. 1-8; Schiffman, Humanism, ―Preface to Students;‖ Part I,
―Introduction‖ and section on Burckhardt‘s Civilization of the Italian Renaissance ,
pp. 1-26. // Reader: Reader; ―Nicene Creed,‖ ―Corpus Juris Civilis of Justinian‖;
Bring, Schiffman, and Dictionary to class meeting.
Week 2. Geography and Politics:
Feb. 1 The Renaissance Question and Jacob Burckhardt
3 Political Geography: Communes and Republics: New Ways of Existing.
Brown, 9-12; In Schiffman, Humanism, Huizinga, ―Waning of the Middle Ages‖
(pp. 27-35); Haskins, ―The Renaissance of the Twelfth Century‖ (36-40);
Burckhardt, pp. 1-14.
Dictionary: Plague, Renaissance, Population, Economy, Empire (Holy Roman),
Guelfs and Ghibellines, Papacy, Religious Orders and Congregations, Communications.
(Due 10 Feb.)—Portfolio: one page 12 Point type on Burckhardt‘s thesis of why the
place of origin of The Renaissance was in Italy.
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Week 3. Political Geography and Burckhardt‘s thesis:
Feb. 8 Legitimacy and Illegitimacy in Fourteenth- Century Italy and Europe.
10 1. Portfolio & Discussion of Burckhardt‘s thesis
Brown, 13-20; Burckhardt, Part I, pp . 29-97.
Dictionary: Individualism, Siena, Venice, ―Myth of Venice,‖ Genoa, Milan,
Naples, Anjou (House of), Aragon (House of), Despots, Condotterri, Guilds
Week 4: The World and Individualism of Francesco Petrarch
Feb. 15 Petrarch‘s Learning, Environment, and ―Self-Fashioning‖ or
―culturally produced‖?
17 Petrarch: Revival of Antiquity and the studia humanitatis
Burckhardt, Part II, 98-119;
Reader: Petrarch‘s ―Letter to Posterity,‖ ―Canzoni, 1-3,‖ ―Letters to Cicero‖ and
―Assent of Mount Ventoux;‖
Dictionary, F. Petrarch, Dante, Boccaccio, Cola di Rienzo, Avignon,
Schiffman, Mommsen, ―Petrarch‘s Conception of the Dark Ages‖ (pp. 206-210);
Brown, 20-40.
Week 5. Feb.. 22 Cult of Fame and Spread of Humanism and Art
24 Florence: Society, Guilds, Civic Government, Patrons, and Artist
2. Portfolio (22 Feb.)—One page single space discussion of one of Petrarch‘s
contributions to bringing about change in the culture and thought of his time.
Brown, pp. 41-61.
Dictionary: Florence, Brunelleschi, Ghiberti, Masaccio, , Constitutions, Class
(social), Ciompi
Burckhardt, Part II, 98-119.
Schiffman, Panofsky, ―Renaissance and Renascences in Western
Art‖, pp. 41-54.
Michael Wood, Film; ―Early Renaissance Art‖ (in–class).
Week 6. March 1: Career of Humanism: The Followers of Petrarch
3: Career of Humanism: The Florentine Quattrocento
Reader: Bruni, ―Panegyric to the City of Florence‖
*Schiffman, Humanism , Paul Oskar Kristeller, ―Humanism and Scholasticism‖
(pp. 55-59). Hannah Gray, ―Renaissance Humanism; The Pursuit of Eloquence,‖
pp 70-82.
*Dictionary, Humanism, Rhetoric, Salutati, Bruni, Niccoli, Bracciolini, Medici
Burckhardt, Part III, pp. 120-184.
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Week 7. March 6: Career of Humanism: Movement, Educational Program,
Opportunism
8: ―The Nature of Humanism and ‗the Great Separation‘‖
Brown, pp. 62-78.
*Schiffman, Part II ,The Nature of Humanism, Charles Trinkaus, (pp. 83-91);
William Bouwsma (pp. 92-113); Margaret King, (pp.114-123).
Burckhardt, Part IV, 185-229.
Reader: Valla, ―On the False Donation of Constantine;‖
March 14-15: Spring Break
Week 8. March 22: A New Vision of Politics: Communal Florence to Civic Humanism
March 24: The Medici and the Republic, Pater Patriae, Patrons, Prophet, Duke
Burckhardt, Part V & V1, pp. 230-352.:
Pico, ―Oration on the Dignity of Man‖
Week 9. March 29: Medici‘s Regime. A New Vision of Politics and Human Nature
31: No Class: Cesar Chavez Day
Dictionary, Ficino, Pico della Mirandola, Plato and neo-Platonism,
3. Portfolio (29 March.)—four (4) page double-spaced discussion of course materials
and how they support or challenge a thesis, theme, or problem in one of the V1 Parts of
Burckhardt‘s Civilization of the Renaissance in Italy.
Schiffman, Part 111, Humanism and Politics; Hans Baron, ―The Crisis of the
Early Italian Renaissance‖ (pp. 59-69), Quentin Skinner, ―The Foundations of Modern
Political Though‖ (pp. 143-146), Anthony Grafton, ―Humanism and Political Theory‖
(pp. 157-168), Paul Grendler, ―Schooling in Renaissance Italy (pp. 195-202).
Dictionary, Milan, Visconti (Giangaleazzo), Florence, Sforza (Francesco &
Lodovivo) Medici (Cosimo & Lorenzo), Pazzi Plot, Charles VIII of France, nepotism,
Sixtus IV (Pope), Alexander VI (Pope).
Week 10. April 5: Savonarola? What does his revolution tell us about Renaissance
Politics, Power, and Religion?
7: The Prince, Tyrants, and Dynastic Monarchies
Machiavelli, The Prince , 1-73. Discourse on Livy, and selections (pp. 74-138.
Week 11. April 12: The French Invasion, the Republic and Niccolo Machiavelli:
The Life and Thought of Niccolo Machiavelli
14: Renaissance Portraits and Paintings (two minute presentations on
power point from students and a short paper to be handed in—as will be explained.)
4. Portfolio: (14 April) Artist two minute power point and short paper
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Brown, pp. 79-100.
Dictionary, Louis XII, Francis I, Valois (House of), Leo X (Pope), Clement VII
(Pope), Rome, Habsburg (House of), Emperor Charles V.
Machiavelli, The Prince, selections from ―Interpretations‖ (pp. 139-250)
Week 12. April 19 The French Entrance into Italy
21 From the Civic Ideal to the Courtly Style
5 Portfolio (21 April: Four double spaced pages contrasting between two different
outlooks in Machiavelli‘s Prince and Castiglione‘s Courtier.
Reader: B. Castiglione, The Courtier
Week 13. April 26: Italy Battle Ground of Europe and New Historical Views
28: The Operations of Renaissance Armies
Reader, Erasmus, ―The Complaint of Peace,‖ Schiffman, ed., Anthony Grafton
and Lisa Jardine, ―From Humanism to the Humanities‖, pp. 183-194; Gilmore,
―The Renaissance Conception of History‖
(pp. 211-224),
Week 14.
May 3: The Northern Renaissance
5: Changing Understandings of the Past and the World
*Schiffman, Humanism, Donald Kelley, ―Guillaume Budé…, and
and Zarchary Schiffman, ―Renaissance Historicism.‖
Reader: Claude de Seyssel, The Grand Monarchy of France
Week 15.
May 10: The French Monarchy and the Renaissance Movement?
12: Review for final essay and summary of the course.
Week 16: May 19: Eight (8) page out-of-class final essay paper (based on course
materials and additional research) on four people, works, events or places that represent
changes in outward style, culture, politics and/or thought that was brought about by the
European Renaissance with reference notes to resources from the course readings.
Course Reader’s Contents:
1. ―Nicene Creed,‖
2. ―Corpus Juris Civilis of Justinian‖
3. Francesco Petrarch‘s ―Letter to Posterity,‖ ―Canzoni, 1-3,‖ ―Letters to Cicero‖ &
―Assent of Mount Ventoux;‖
4. Lorenzo Valla, ―On the False Donation of Constantine;‖
5. Leonardo Bruni, ―Panegyric to the City of Florence‖ (Introduction by Ronald G. Witt)
6. Giovanni Pico della Mirandola, ―Oration on the Dignity of Man‖
7. Baldassare Castiglione, from The Book of the Courtier
8. Desiderius Erasmus, ―The Complaint of Peace,‖
9. Claude de Seyssel, The Grand Monarchy of France.
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