Humanities 2232: The Renaissance and Baroque Eras Spring 2017

Instructor: Professor A.N. Hill

Class Meeting Times: M/W 10-11:15am, Room 1-370

Prof. Alexandra Nicole Hill – nhill9@valenciacollege.edu

Office: Bldg. 2-313 Phone Number: (407) 582-2759 (Office)

Office/Contact Hours:

Monday 4:00-6:00 pm (office)

Tuesday 2:30 pm-4:00 pm (in office)

Wednesday 4:00-6:00pm (office)

Thursday 2:30 pm-4:00 pm (office)

Friday 9:00-2:00pm (online)

Required Texts:

Course Reader: HUM 2232: Renaissance-Baroque Humanities Available only in the bookstore.

Sayre, Henry M. The Humanities: Culture, Continuity, and Change, Volume 3. ISBN: 126978174

Shakespeare, William. Hamlet http://shakespeare.mit.edu/hamlet/full.html (or your own copy)

Welcome!

This course provides an integrated examination of the dominant ideas, and historical, cultural, intellectual, and

artistic developments of the Renaissance and Baroque periods in western civilization. It will focus on

historical developments and their relationship to intellectual and cultural forms of expression, emphasizing the

synthesis of classical and Christian elements. We will investigate, discuss, and analyze how Europeans

understood their world and their place in it as individuals, and how they employed philosophy, politics, music,

literature, religion, science, technology, art, poetry, and prose to express their humanity and cultivate their

society. Students must demonstrate college level writing skills through multiple assignments. Minimum grade

of C required if used to satisfy Gordon Rule requirement. Prerequisite: ENC 1101 or ENC 1101H

Course Objectives

- to critically consider the development of ideas and culture in western civilization from the fourteenth

through the seventeenth centuries including the shift from medieval thought to humanist thought of the

Renaissance, and from the Renaissance through the Baroque era.

- to identify, and interpret relevant key historical, intellectual, and artistic developments from the

Renaissance to the Baroque period including humanism, Neo-Platonism, the Protestant Reformation,

the Counter Reformation, absolutism, the Scientific Revolution, globalization, and technology.

- To interpret and analyze - through discussion, essay writing, oral presentations, and exam questions -

texts, art, and other artifacts pertaining to the humanities, including works of art, architecture, music,

literature, theater, and other primary sources from the Early Renaissance to the Baroque period..

Grading Scale Course Evaluation

A = 1000-999 pts, B = 899-800 Exam 1 = 100 points Essays = 400 points

C = 799-700, D = 699-600 Exam 2 = 100 pts Reading Homework = 200 pts

F = 599-0pts Exam 3 = 100 pts Participation = 100 pts

Use of Blackboard

This course is web-enhanced and aligns with Blackboard. The syllabus, information about assignments,

rubrics, and tips for essays and exams are on Blackboard. Some readings and videos are available only on

Blackboard. To access your account, use the following steps:

Go to: https://learn.valenciacollege.edu/. Use your Atlas name and password to log in. Click on the correct

class from the course menu on the right entitled ‘My Courses.’ Click ‘Content’ from the menu on the left side

of the screen to see all class-related material including rubrics, PowerPoint lectures, readings, video links,

and helpful tips for writing, exams, and presentations.

Do not come to class unprepared and say that you could not find the reading or assignments online. If you

can’t find something, you must contact me before the due date for assistance. If you have problems with

Blackboard, contact tech support: http://bbcrm.edusupportcenter.com/ics/support/default.asp?deptID=8191.

Email

I use email to contact students outside of class. Each student is required to check his or her Atlas email so as

not to miss any important announcements. Students may contact me at: nhill9@valenciacollege.edu

Please put your name and the course name (HUM 2232) in the subject line of your email. If you send me an

email after contact hours are over, please do not expect a reply until the next day. You are responsible for all

course-related information, whether you check your email regularly or not.

Attendance Policy, Tardiness, Excused Absences, Withdrawals

Attendance During the First Week of Classes

Attendance during the first week of classes is mandatory. Anyone who misses both class meetings the first

week of class will be withdrawn as a “No Show”— no exceptions.

Attendance Throughout the Semester

Regular attendance is necessary for successful completion of this course. Students are allowed the equivalent

of four (4) absences (20% of the class meeting time) during the semester. Upon the 4th absence, the student

will be notified that a further absence will result in their withdrawal from the course. On the 5th absence, the

student will automatically be withdrawn from the course by the instructor. Students will be marked absent if:

they do not answer when their name is called, or if their signature does not appear on the sign-in sheet for that

day; if they miss more than 15 minutes of class by arriving late or leaving early; or if they do not take the

final exam. The instructor’s attendance records, not the recollections of the student, will be consulted for

proof of attendance/absences.

Exceptions will be determined on a case-by-case basis for extremely extenuating circumstances, such as, but

not limited to, complications regarding pregnancy, lengthy hospitalization as a result of a major medical

condition, or military service. Exceptions will require clear and precise documentation which should be

provided in a timely fashion.

The following links provide further information regarding attendance for international students and

attendance and financial aid:

http://international.valenciacollege.edu/current-students/maintaining-visa-status/

http://valenciacollege.edu/finaid/satisfactory_progress.cfm

Student Responsibility after Absence Please note: assignments are due whether you attend or not. Always check the course schedule when you

miss class so that you are prepared when you return. You will be expected to submit any assigned work that is

due on that day, and/or take a scheduled quiz or test with the rest of the class, even if you are not prepared for

it. Be sure to check Blackboard for any announcements the instructor may have sent out regarding changes to

the course schedule. No exceptions will be made for you because you were absent and did not receive the

information.

Student Withdrawal Deadline/Withdrawal Policy

The deadline for withdrawing from a class in the Spring 2017 term is March 31 at 11:59 pm. If you

withdraw from a course prior to this date, you will automatically receive a “W,” regardless of the grade you

earned at the time. You cannot withdraw from a course after March 31.

Coursework: Homework, Tests, Assignments, and Essays

All readings are due each class, every week; my lectures do not cover all the reading material and are meant

to enhance what you read in your textbooks. It is your responsibility to turn all required work in on time. To

earn full credit for out-of-class assignments, the work must be submitted online to SafeAssign. Additionally,

if you want instructor feedback on essays, you must submit your work typed and printed in hard copy at the

beginning of class time on the specified due dates.

Weekly Reading Homework

Each week you will read supplemental primary sources, that provide an eye-witness account of the historical

period we will explore in class, and answer questions provided relating to that source. This homework is

posted on Blackboard. Your responses, which may be handwritten or typed and printed, will be turned in on

the first class of the week every week. You must keep all your work in a folder or notebook throughout the

semester.

The grading scale for homework is 1-10 points: 1= brief or incomplete answers, mostly repeating the author,

while 10= answers are complete and reflect a thorough and informed reading of the source with a clear effort

at interpretation and analysis rather than simply quoting a passage. Failure to answer all questions will result

in a grade for that assignment no higher than 2. The final reading homework grade is determined by

answering all questions each week and keeping track of your work in a notebook or folder. This homework is

designed to help you study for exams, prepare your essays, and teach you how to write college-level reading

notes for upper-level courses.

Tests - There are three exams in this course; see the class schedule for dates. Although the test may be online,

if it is given in class, and a student leaves the classroom for any reason during a test, he or she will not be able

to resume taking the test upon return to class.

Classroom Assignments and Essays

Students will write two in-class assignments, and two short essays in this course, each in response to

questions provided by the instructor. All papers should examine and analyze the questions given and respond

thoughtfully and critically. In-class assignments cannot be made up as they depend on your active

participation in small group discussions and debates on the specified day in class. For the short essays, you

must include a bibliography for these papers, and you should cite material used in the body of your essay

parenthetically. Do not use outside sources. Essays are due at the start of class; I will not accept submissions

by e-mail. Finally, these essays will meet Gordon Rule requirements. For more information of Gordon Rule

requirements, please see below. For further information regarding class essays, refer to our class website on

Atlas/Blackboard.

Formatting and Grammatical Standards for Essays and Assignments

Essays should be typed double-spaced and in a common font (Arial, New York Times Roman, Calibri, etc,

size 11 or 12) with 1” margins and your name printed at the top of each page. You must provide a works

cited page. Failure to properly format your paper will result in an automatic deduction of 10% from your

grade. Refer to Blackboard for information regarding formatting, citations, and grammatical or mechanical

standards.

You must produce clean grammatically correct work in order for me to critique your ideas and arguments.

Please proofread! Papers which are difficult to read because of serious or excessive typographic,

mechanical, or grammatical errors will receive failing grades. If you struggle in this area, please visit the

Writing Center for help. The MLA Handbook is an excellent guide to writing essays and will be useful to you

throughout college. No matter what field you enter, writing is a basic skill you must master in order to

succeed.

Class Policy Regarding Exam, Essay, and Presentation Due Dates and Late Submissions

Students must take tests on the scheduled dates. Only one make-up exam per student will be allowed

during the semester. Make up exams are administered in the Testing Center in Building 4, must be taken

within one week of the student’s return to class, and may be in essay format. Failure to complete the test

within this time will result in a ‘0’ for that grade. If you know ahead of time that you will need to miss class

on a test date, you may arrange to take it in advance. The Final Exam must be taken on the final exam date

and cannot be made up.

It is your responsibility to turn all required work in on time. All work is due at the start of class; I will not

accept submissions by e-mail. Any late work will be accepted up to one week after the assigned due date

with a 15% grade deduction. Late work will not be accepted after one week past the original due date.

Any work not submitted will earn a ‘0%.’

In-class assignments cannot be made up because your grade depends on your active participation in small

group discussions as well as the written results of that discussion.

Gordon Rule Requirements Please note that this class complies with Gordon Rule Requirements. A Gordon Rule course includes

assignments of college-level writing with the following criteria: the writing will have a clearly defined

central idea or thesis; it will provide adequate support for that idea; it will be organized clearly and logically;

it will show awareness of the conventions of standard written English, and will be formatted/ presented

appropriately.

Course Conduct and General Policies

Course Participation and Participation Grading Policies

This class depends on active, thoughtful, prepared discussion. We will engage in class activities that require

a little courage, a lot of enthusiasm, a sense of humor, and thorough familiarity with all the assigned

readings. Discussions will be in both small groups and with the class at large. I hope you will ask questions

of me, your fellow students, and of the material we cover.

We will always respect each other’s courage sharing opinions, participating in discussions and group

projects, and presenting work that is thoughtful and thought provoking. Please use constructive criticism. All

students are entitled to a positive learning experience, regardless of sex, race, religion, sexual orientation,

social class, or any other feature of personal identification. Therefore, sexist, racist, prejudicial, homophobic,

or other derogatory remarks will not be tolerated.

Ordinarily, the participation grade is the easiest ‘A’ you can earn in this class. The grade is based on a

mathematical calculation of attendance and a record of your active class engagement in lectures, and small

group and general class discussion.

Excellent participation improves your final grade, in part, because it prepares you for essays and exams.

Conversely, poor participation can significantly lower your final grade because you are not available to

discuss the material with your classmates. The following behaviors will help improve your course grade:

Have perfect or near-perfect, prompt attendance

Be attentive and prepared in class

Volunteer for class activities, discussions, and reading passages out loud

Initiate discussion based on class material

Ask questions related to class discussion, readings, and lectures

Treat everyone in class with dignity and respect

The following behaviors will negatively impact your course grade and may result in your being asked to

leave the classroom if you are disturbing the learning environment:

Is frequently absent and/or regularly late to class

Comes and goes repeatedly during class with no explanation to the professor of the reason, or leaves

class early

Has private conversations with fellow classmates

Monopolizes discussions

Is disrespectful to others, interrupts, and/or makes negative or sarcastic remarks

Clearly inattentive (texting/talking on cellphone, using the computer for non-class-related reasons,

sleeping, working on anything not related to class),

Habitual use of cell phones, iPods, and other electronic gadgets unless they are being used to access

course materials or related information.

You will be notified before the withdrawal date if you are in danger of failing the course.

Valencia Community College is dedicated to promoting honorable personal and social conduct. By enrolling

at Valencia, a student assumes the responsibility for knowing and abiding by the rules articulated in the

Student Code of Conduct (6Hx28:10-03). In addition to dismissing a student from a class session, I may also

refer students who engage in disruptive behaviors to the Deans of Students and Humanities for disciplinary

action

Plagiarism, Cheating, and Academic Dishonesty

As scholars, we study and respect the artistic and intellectual works of others. Plagiarism and cheating –

using unauthorized material, or presenting another’s ideas, words, or images as your own, without properly

citing the sources - contradict the educational value of scholarship and violate its integrity. You must

properly cite any sources consulted. All work for this class also must be your own, and written exclusively

for this class.

Plagiarism and cheating on an exam, essay, or assignment will result in an “F” for that grade and possibly

the course, prompts a student’s referral to the Dean of Humanities or Office of Student Conduct, and may

result in expulsion. For more information regarding plagiarism, refer to: http://www.plagiarism.org/

I assume you will adhere to Valencia’s Code of Conduct and will maintain the highest standards of academic

integrity. I also adhere to the highest standards of academic integrity and will not change your grade

illegitimately, or otherwise violate the terms of this syllabus or Valencia’s Code.

Electronics, Computers, and Cell Phones

Mute your cell phone during class. Laptops for in-class work are permitted only with OSD documentation or

for days when we do in-class work. See the course schedule for further details.

Disability Accommodation Students with disabilities who need accommodations in this course must first register with OSD. No

accommodations will be provided until the student has met with the professor and registered with OSD.

Important Dates and Links

Drop/Refund Deadline – 1/14

Withdrawal Deadline for ‘W’ – 3/31

Final Exam – Monday, April 24 10am-12:30pm

Valencia College Catalog ‘16- ‘17 http://catalog.valenciacollege.edu/

Valencia Student Handbook http://issuu.com/valenciacollege/docs/lifemap-handbook/1?e=0

Valencia College Policy Manual http://valenciacollege.edu/generalcounsel/default.cfm

Unit 1 - The Renaissance in the South: What Does it Mean to be Human?

1/9-11 Week 1 The Fourteenth Century in Transition: Humanism and Individualism

To Do:

Read: Reader, 4-8, Boccaccio p 67-71 (also on Blackboard), Answer questions from the reading

(Reader p 4-8, Boccaccio p 77-71 or Blackboard), and bring your responses to class on the second day,

ready to turn in.

What’s Happening:

Introduction: What was the Renaissance?

Lecture, The 14th Century: Crisis, Catastrophe, and Reaction

Class Discussion – What does it mean to be human – Petrarch’s sonnets

1/17-19 Week 2 Early Renaissance Humanism and Neo-Platonism - No School Monday

To Do:

Read: Sayre, Ch 1 p3-22; Reader, Petrarch p 55-58; Petrarch’s sonnets p 66 (also on Blackboard),

Pico della Mirandola p 82-85, Alberti p 90-92

Answer questions from the reading and bring your responses to class Wednesday, ready to turn in.

What’s Happening:

Lecture - The Early Renaissance: Humanism

Class Discussion – The importance of education, Humanism, reputation

*No-Show students will be dropped from the class by 1/20 if they fail to attend the first week of class.

1/23-26 Week 3 Humanism, Naturalism, and Art in the Early Renaissance

To Do:

Read: Sayre, Ch. 1 22-34; Reader, Castiglione 93-98

Answer questions from the reading and turn in your responses to class Monday.

Essay 1 Due Wednesday : “to give form to painting, perfection to sculpture, the grace of poetry”:

How did Renaissance artists convey Humanist concepts and ideals? Choose one Renaissance work

(1400-1550), of painting, architecture, or sculpture, that we did not discuss in class and argue how it

reflects humanism. (1000-1500 words)

What’s Happening:

Lecture/Class Discussion: Renaissance Courts, the Courtier, and the Fall of the Medici

Monday: Discussion of the readings and essay due

1/30-2/2 Week 4 The High Renaissance in Rome: Idealism and Classical Values in Art and Architecture

To Do:

Read: Sayre, Ch 2, 39-57 (Stop at “Sistine Chapel Choir); Reader, Machiavelli 135-141

Answer questions from the reading and bring your responses to class Wednesday, ready to turn in.

What’s Happening:

Lecture/Class Discussion - Renaissance Society and the shift to Rome and Venice

Discussion of the readings

2/6-9 Week 5 The High Renaissance in Venice: Idealism and Classical Values in Art, Architecture, and

Music

To Do:

Read: Sayre, Ch. 2, 58-74; Reader, Leonardo da Vinci 99-113

Answer questions from the reading and bring your responses to class Monday, ready to turn in.

Exam 1(Wednesday or Online)

What’s Happening:

Lecture/Class Discussion: The High Renaissance in Venice and Women Humanists of the Renaissance

Discussion of the readings

Unit 2 - The Northern Renaissance and Reformation: What Does It Mean to Have Faith?

2/13-16 Week 6 The Northern Renaissance: Humanism, Art, and Literature

To Do:

Read: Sayre, Ch. 3, 83-94, 99-106 (The German Tradition); More 207; Reader, Erasmus 175-178

Answer questions from the reading and bring your responses to class Monday, ready to turn in.

What’s Happening:

Monday Lecture: The Renaissance in Northern Europe

Monday Discussion of the readings

Wednesday Lecture: The Reformation’s Beginnings

2/20-23 Week 7 The Reformation, Religion, and Popular Print

To Do:

Read: Sayre, Ch. 4, 111-135; Luther 135; Reader, Preface and Catechism 179-184

Answer questions from the reading and bring your responses to class Monday, ready to turn in.

What’s Happening:

Lecture: Protestantism, Christian Humanism, and the Northern Renaissance: Ideal vs. Reality

Discussion of the readings

2/27-3/2 Week 8 The Northern Renaissance – Religion, Popular Print, and Superstition

To Do:

Read: Reader, The Protestant Reformation, The Printing Press 156-174, Witchcraft 185-193

Review Witchcraft Module on Blackboard before coming to class.

What’s Happening:

Monday Class Discussion: The Witchcraft Hysteria and Popular Print

Wednesday In-Class Assignment: What influence did the Protestant Reformation, the Renaissance,

and the development of popular print have on peoples’ understanding of witches and witchcraft?

Primary sources for this essay are in your Reader and on Blackboard. Bring your own paper copies to

class, or a laptop or tablet to access them online. If you are bringing a computer or tablet, you should

download the readings before you come into class as the WiFi can be unreliable in the classroom. This

grade cannot be made up because it depends on your participation in small group discussions.

3/6-9 Week 9 The English Renaissance – Sixteenth Century Literature and Theater

To Do:

Read: Sayre, Ch. 6, 181-202; Blackboard, Hamlet’s soliloquies and Polonius’s advice to Laertes

Watch or Read

o Hamlet (http://shakespeare.mit.edu/hamlet/full.html or your own copy)

o A DVD copy of the play is on reserve in the Media Center for you to borrow.

o A link to the entire movie is on Blackboard along with video clips of Hamlet’s soliloquies.

Answer questions from the play/movie and bring your responses to class Wednesday, ready to turn in.

What’s Happening:

Lecture: The Elizabethan Era and the Golden Age of Theater

Class Discussion: Hamlet- What Does It Mean to be Human? Examining Polonius’s advice to Laertes

Movie: Hamlet

3/13 – 3/19 Spring Break – No Classes

3/20-23 Week 10 The English Renaissance – Sixteenth Century Literature and English Theater

To Do:

Come to class prepared to discuss Hamlet’s soliloquies

Essay 2, due November 10 – A Letter to Hamlet: Assuming the identity of any one of the earlier

Renaissance/Reformation Humanist thinker/authors (Alberti, Mirandola, Castiglione, Machiavelli,

Marinella, Erasmus, Luther, etc), write a letter to Prince Hamlet advising him how best to handle his

problems with his family, friends, the monarchy, and his own self-doubts. Pay close attention to the

particular values and arguments of your Humanist letter writer by familiarizing yourself thoroughly

with his or her essay (remember, use only the sources provided you in class from the textbooks and

online), and remember to clearly address Hamlet’s most pressing concerns as you understand them

based on a complete reading/watching of the play. Instructions posted on Blackboard. Due 11/11

What’s Happening:

Movie: Hamlet

Class Discussion: Hamlet - Performing Hamlet’s Soliloquies

Wednesday (or Online) Exam II

Unit Three - The Baroque: Power, Reason, and Human Nature

3/27-30 Week 11 The Baroque Age and Style: Reformations, Renaissance Ideals, Aristocracy, and Art

To Do:

Read: Sayre, Ch. 7, 211-224, 227-231; Cervantes 232-233; Montaigne 136-137

Answer questions from the reading and bring your responses to class Monday, ready to turn in.

Essay 2 Letter to Hamlet- Due Wednesday, see instructions posted in Week 10 and on Blackboard.

What’s Happening:

Lecture: Catholic Reformation Art, and Architecture in Italy: Grand, Glorious, Dramatic

Discussion of the readings.

*The deadline to withdraw from classes is 3/31 at 11:59pm

4/3-6 Week 12 The Baroque World in Italy: Painting, Sculpture, and Music

To Do:

Read: Sayre, Ch. 8, 237-260;

Listen to: Vivaldi The Four Seasons: Spring https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmOwlf99V64 and

Monteverdi Orfeo (This is a full-length production – just sample parts to get the general idea)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mD16EVxNOM

Come to class with your answers to the questions posted for the reading and assigned music, and be

prepared to discuss how the opera and the concertos reflected Baroque style in music.

What’s Happening:

Lecture/Class Discussion: The Italian Baroque: Art, Music, and Architecture

4/10-13 Week 13 The Baroque World in Northern Europe

To Do:

Read: Sayre, Ch. 9, 265-269, 274-289;

Listen: Bach Brandenburg Concerto 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3HSRIDtwsfM;

Bach Christmas Oratorio https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVeluHdzcBY OR

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98UjjwzJBFE

Come to class with your answers to the questions posted for the reading and assigned music, and be

prepared to discuss how the concerto and the oratorio reflected Baroque style in music.

What’s Happening:

Lecture: The Northern Baroque: Power, Aristocracy, and Theatricality

4/17-20 Week 14 The New Learning and Literature

To Do:

Reading – Sayre, Chapter 9 270-273; Bacon 291; Reader, Galileo 219-223; Blackboard, Descartes

Answer questions from the reading and bring your responses to class Monday, ready to turn in.

What’s Happening:

Lecture: Free Thinking and Free Will – The New Learning

Monday: Discussion of Salon-Scientific Discussion

Wednesday: In-Class Assignment - Scientific and Philosophical Salon, or discussion with cookies.

This grade cannot be made up because it depends on your active participation in small group debates.

4/24-4/30 Final Exams Week

Final Exam: Monday, April 24 10:00am-12:30pm

*Please be advised, this weekly schedule is subject to change. If changes become necessary, you will be

notified in class and through Blackboard.