Course Syllabus
RENAISSANCE LIVES: 15TH C FLORENCE.
This Seminar will focus on the lives of central figures of Renaissance Florence –Cosimo de’ Medici, banker and founder of the family dynasty; his son Piero and grandson Lorenzo; the humanist intellectual Poggio Bracciolini; Alessandra Strozzi, the widow of political exile; the firebrand preacher Girolamo Savonarola; and the political genius of the Republic, Niccolò Machiavelli. Themes to be discussed include the intersection of politics, religion and social issues as represented by these seminal figures. Writing assignments include weekly response papers, and two short essays (3-4 pages) and one longer essay (7-8 pages) drawing mainly on the assigned readings.
Instructor: Professor Mary O’Neil, Office Smith 212 A
E-mail: oneilmr@uw.edu
Office Hours: Thursday 11am-12:45 and by appt. at other times
Course description: This is an historiographical seminar, approaching the Renaissance in Florence and Italy with a focus on major figures, such as the Medici, Savonarola and Machiavelli. The following is a preliminary syllabus, which will be adapted on the basis of students’ interests and previous exposure to Renaissance Italy.
Course requirements:
Participation in class discussions & attendance 10 %
Comments on assigned readings (1-2 pages: 1 page is fine, 2 page maximum) 20%
Two short papers 20 % each due Mondays Feb 4th and March 4th
Leave papers in O’Neil mailbox in Smith 318 or submit by e-mail attachment
One longer paper 30% at end of quarter: due Exam Week March 20th
Course schedule
Week 1
Jan 9 Introduction and overview of Renaissance Florence
Week 2
Jan 16 Cosimo de’ Medici and the Medici Bank
Reading: Tim Parks, Medici Money: Banking, Metaphysics and Art in 15th
Chapters 2-5, pages 29-167
Vespasiano, “Life of Cosimo de’ Medici,” in Lives of Illustrious Men
Link from Canvas page
Assignment due in class: comment on Medici Money or Vespasiano
Week 3 Class from Week 3 postponed to Week 4 due to Professor’s illness
Jan 23
Week 4 Stephen Greenblatt, The Swerve
Jan 30 Turn in response papers on any section of the book.
Week 5 The Strozzi Exiles and Piero de’ Medici
Feb 6 Reading: Mark Phillips, The Memoir of Marco Parenti: A Life in Medici Florence
Introduction, Chapters 1-10, pp. 3-188
Mon Feb 11 Assignment: first short paper (3-4 pages) Phillips on Piero de’ Medici & Parenti
Leave papers in O’Neil mailbox in Smith 318 or by e-mail attachment
Week 6
Feb 13 Women in Renaissance Italy
Selected articles to be announced and available on Canvas Links
Machiavelli, Mandragola and Belfagor
Week 7
Feb 20 Lorenzo the Magnificent and the Pazzi Conspiracy
Reading: Lauro Martines, April Blood: Florence and the Plot Against the Medici
Assignment due in class: comment on Martines: Lorenzo, Sixtus IV, Pazzi
Week 8
Feb 27 Savonarola and the Republic of Florence
Reading: Lauro Martines, Fire in the City: Savonarola & Renaissance Florence
Mon March 4
Assignment: 2cd short paper (3-4 pages) on Martines on Lorenzo or Savonarola
Leave papers in O’Neil mailbox in Smith 318 or submit by e-mail attachment
Week 9
March 6 Machiavelli: Career with the Republic & French Invasion
Reading: Maurizio Viroli, Niccolo’s Smile: A Biography of Machiavelli
Machiavelli: diplomatic correspondence
Assignment due in class: comment on Machiavelli’s republican career
Week 10
March 13 Machiavelli in exile: Fall of the Republic, Restoration of Medici
Viroli, Niccolo’s Smile (continued)
Assignment due in class: comment on Machiavelli’s exile
Week 11 Assignment: Weds March 20 Longer paper due; details to be discussed in class.
Topic to be selected by each student, additional bibliography available for
each topic.
Course Summary:
Date | Details | Due |
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