Humanities 302
Section 01 [H, M]
Fall 2007
SLN 38224
TTh 1:25 - 2:40
Fulmer 150
HUMANITIES IN THE MIDDLE AGES
AND RENAISSANCE
Course Description:
Now that we all know that we're an arbitrarily evolved and rather dorky species on one small poisoned planet out of nine, or eight (?), with a yellow sun in an obscure corner of a second-rate bass-ackwards galaxy in an expanding universe, what is to be salvaged from a time before psychotherapy, chemotherapy, restless leg syndrome, the meat industry, pharmaceutical cartels, a media "machine," and hair-care "systems"? I hope it's more than "quaintness."
This Humanities course is designed to acquaint you better with the human and thoughtful side to life through literature, music, art, architecture, food, and other accomplishments of the medieval and renaissance worlds. The course will offer, just as the periods' arts themselves were supposed to, the ideal union of "sentence and solas" -- instruction and entertainment -- as we examine courtly, religious, and popular works from the so-called High Middle Ages (right around when love was invented) up through the so-called Renaissance (when everything went to hell). We will address the cultural implications of these materials -- that is, their impact in the minds and lives of those who have been influenced by them, and that includes ourselves.
I am particularly interested in how the principles and issues raised in this body of literature and art survive and arise in our own contemporary culture. I will encourage you to see and to make connections between ideas, attitudes, and cultures in classroom discussions, and to keep track of ideas currently circulating that interest you.
Course Objectives:
To gain exposure to Medieval and Renaissance thought, art, and influence by poring over some of the major artistic works which have shaped our culture and the way we think.To increase intellectual maturation and clarification of our own values through examination of ideas and attitudes in literary/cultural contexts and especially through articulation of these in academic discourse.
To develop skills in critical thinking, verbal analysis, and detection of subtlety through reading, discussion, and writing about literature and other artistic media.
Required Texts:
Dante. The Divine Comedy, Vol. I: Inferno. Trans. Mark Musa. NY: Penguin, 1984. ISBN 0-14-243722-0.[Lots of other crucial and cool materials will be provided in hand-outs, on various types of screens, and, if it proves possible, on plates.]
Course Requirements:
A significant part of your life this semester has to become Medieval/Renaissance studies. Studying this stuff can be demanding, but at least we'll be doing it together as a "learning community." Because classroom interaction is essential for this to be a valuable experience, and because frequent quizzes and homework writings will be exchanged and no late assignments of any sort will be accepted, more than a few absences will affect your grade regardless of reason. Here's the math:I will frequently ask for relatively minor homework assignments to be turned in or submitted electronically on the Blackboard system, designed primarily to stimulate subsequent discussion and to practice conventions for writing about literature and the arts. At other times I will ask you to answer questions in writing in class, often ad lib responses to the reading before class discussion begins. Homework assignments and quizzes will receive numerical grades (points) and, although these writings cannot be made up (except for a couple optional writings that can take their place), the final semester totals will be curved if necessary. (30%)
You may be responsible for some sort of contribution to the learning community that may serve also as work towards one of the written projects: perhaps a brief but impressive lead-off presentation on a topic arranged in advance that is dazzling, informative, and glamorous, involving some research, or parallel outside reading, and possibly snazzy visual aids; or a handy web page. Class participation and other service to the learning community -- occasional group work, for example -- will be expected. (10%)
You will submit two written projects of manageable length. (30%)
Your presence will be kindly requested at two miserable exams. (30%)
Students with Disabilities:
I am committed to providing assistance to help you be successful in this course. Reasonable accommodations are available for students with a documented disability. Please visit the Disability Resource Center (DRC) during the first two weeks of every semester to seek information or to qualify for accommodations. All accommodations must be approved through the DRC (Admin. Annex Bldg. Room 205). Call 509-335-3417 to make an appointment with a disability counselor.
N.B.:
Lust for engagement with the period, Gluttony for knowledge, Envy for motivating accomplishment, Greed for success, and Pride in your work are the only acceptable sins here. Sloth will be especially reprehensible and will be met with Ire.