Requirements and Policies

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Description: The aim of this course is to examine the origins, developments, and context of the changes that Italy underwent from roughly 1350 to 1550, and their impact on the rest of Europe. Arguably, the Renaissance was an absolute break with the traditions of the Middle Ages and the harbinger of Modernity. We will concentrate on the question of historical break and continuity by examining the changes in political and economic structures during this period, and the ways in which these helped create a new social and cultural reality. Particular attention will be given to the intellectual production of the age, attempting to use literary and artistic works as a window to the past.

Requirements: Students will be required to

· take two term examinations (20% each);

· take two quizzes (5% each);

· write four 3-4 page responses to the assigned readings (10% each);

· attend class and participate (10%)

See pages 5-8 of this syllabus for additional information on class requirements and policies.

Required books: All required books are available at the Kennel Bookstore.

Castiglione Baldassare. The Book of the Courtier. George Bull, translator.  New

York: Penguin Books, 1967.

Kohl, Benjamin G. and Ronal G. Witt, eds.  The Earthly Republic: Italian

Humanists on Government and Society. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania   Press, 1978.

Machiavelli, Niccolo.  The Prince. George Bull, translator. New York:

Penguin Books, 1961.

Required on-line readings:

There are several readings which you have to access through the course’s website (listed above).  To make downloading more efficient, some of the articles have been divided into two files, and you must download each part separately.

Recommended book: Jensen, DeLamar. Renaissance Europe: Age of Recovery and Reconciliation.

Lexington, Massachusetts: D.C. Heath and Company, 1992.

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Course Policies:

I realize that most of you are taking several classes and are probably working as well. However, enrolling in this course means that you and I have a contractual obligation to one another: I am obligated to teach to the best of my ability, to be available during office hours, and to answer your questions whenever possible; you are obligated to attend class, to complete the readings and writing assignments in a timely manner, and to participate actively in the process of learning. The course policies were designed with this in mind, and include:

Attendance:

Attendance in this course is absolutely critical, especially because class lectures are not solely based on your textbook. Since all exams and paper assignments will be based on my lectures and class discussions, missing class will surely lead to a failing grade in the course. You are allowed only three (3) absences without penalty. After that, your final grade will decrease by 5 percentage points with every absence. For example, if you miss five classes during the semester and your cumulative grade was an 84, you will receive a C (79) for your final grade.

Participation:

This course is comprised of both lectures and discussion sessions. This is for both our benefits, as class will be more interesting than if I simply lectured the whole time! However, this means that your participation is necessary to the success of this course. Therefore, you are expected to ‘chip in’ as much as possible. Participation counts for 10% of your final grade. Note, coming to class is NOT enough. You must have read and critically thought about the material, and must be willing to participate in class discussion. Shyness is not an excuse; learning to share your ideas is part of the exercise! Note: if you are not prepared for class (i.e. if you have not done the readings or completed your project assignments), you will be asked to leave the room, and will still be held responsible for any material you might have missed.

Exams and Assignments:

There will be two exams: the first to be held on October 21^st and the second on December 14^th, during Final Exam Week. Both exams will consist of three essay-form identifications of important terms. Correct answers must include a basic identification of the item, including to what the term refers and the date. Correct answers must also explain the significance of the item to Renaissance history as discussed in class. Each question will be worth 33 points (plus one “free” point to round-off the 100): 10 points for the basic identification and 23 points for the analysis of its significance. Partial credit will be given. Each exam will count for 20% of the final grade.

There will also be two quizzes given throughout the semester: one each on September 21^st and November 14^th. Each quiz will be worth 50 points, and partial credit will be given. Each quiz will count for 5% of your final grade.

You must also write four 3-4 page critical essays based on the assigned readings. Each short essay will respond to specific questions posed in class. Collectively, responses will account for 40% of your final grade.

Late papers and missed exams:

Papers must be submitted on time. I will accept late PAPERS, but WILL DEDUCT A FULL LETTER GRADE FOR EACH DAY THEY ARE LATE. Missed EXAMS will be made up ONLY IF THE SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES BELOW APPLY:

Only a serious and unavoidable cause, such as a documented medical condition or family emergency, will be accepted as an excuse for failing to take an exam or quiz on time. In these cases, STUDENTS WILL BE ALLOWED TO TAKE A MAKE-UP EXAM/QUIZ ON WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8^TH ONLY.

Office hours:

I will be available for consultation during regular office hours, as listed above. Take advantage of this opportunity to ask questions, ask for clarifications, or just to chat: using office hours will allow you to get a better feel for the class and will give you the opportunity to make sure what I expect from you and what you understand I expect from you are the same thing! Note, however, that I do not repeat lectures or give out notes, nor do I duplicate handouts you have lost. For duplicates, you should refer to the course website (listed above).

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University Policies:

This class will follow University guidelines as described in the University Catalog.

Academic honesty:

Cheating and plagiarism are serious offenses that could have extremely serious consequences such as probation, suspension, or expulsion from the University. At the very least, CHEATING IN THIS CLASS WILL RESULT IN AN IMMEDIATE “F” FOR THE ASSIGNMENT, AND SUCH CASES WILL BE REPORTED TO THE APPROPRIATE AUTHORITIES.

As defined in University’s Policies webpage (http://www.catalog.admin.csufresno.edu/current/policies.html), “cheating is the actual or attempted practice of fraudulent or deceptive acts for the purpose of improving a grade or obtaining course credit. Typically, such acts occur in relation to examinations. It is the intent of this definition that the term cheating not be limited to examinations situations only, but that it include any and all actions by a student that are intended to gain an unearned academic advantage by fraudulent or deceptive means.” Cheating includes, but is not limited to, plagiarism. This is “a specific form of cheating that consists of the misuse of the published and/or unpublished works of others by misrepresenting the material so used as one's own work.”

Remember: Using someone else’s work without giving them credit (that is, annotating) is plagiarism. This includes downloading information from the Internet and presenting it as your own, as well as getting someone else to write a paper or assignment for you.

Students with Disabilities:

Upon identifying themselves to me and to the University, students with disabilities will receive reasonable accommodation for learning and evaluation. For more information, contact Services to Students with Disabilities in Madden Library 1049 (278-2811).

Computers:

"At California State University, Fresno, computers and communications links to remote resources are recognized as being integral to the education and research experience. Every student is required to have his/her own computer or have other personal access to a workstation (including a modem and a printer) with all the recommended software. The minimum and recommended standards for the workstations and software, which may vary by academic major, are updated periodically and are available from Information Technology Services  or the University Bookstore. In the curriculum and class assignments, students are presumed to have 24-hour access to a computer workstation and the necessary communication links to the University's information resources."

Copyright policy:

Copyright laws and fair use policies protect the rights of those who have produced the material. The copy in this course has been provided for private study.  Other uses may require permission from the copyright holder.  The user of this work is responsible for adhering to U.S. copyright law (Title 17).To help you familiarize yourself with copyright and fair use policies, the University encourages you to visit its copyright web page.

Disruptive Behavior:

You are expected to be respectful of the professor and your classmates. Pagers, cellular phones, and personal stereo systems must be turned off and put away prior to the beginning of class. Talking to your classmates while I am trying to lecture is unacceptable. Reading the newspaper or any material not related to class is also unacceptable. The use of any tobacco products is prohibited by law, and smoking or chewing tobacco are not allowed in the classroom. If you do not comply with the regulations above, you will be asked to leave the room and will be held responsible for any material you might have missed. For further information on what is considered disruptive behavior in the classroom, see the University Policy on Disruptive Classroom Behavior (APM 419).

* I reserve the right to modify this syllabus. You will be notified of all changes, and will be given notice with enough time to complete your assignments as required. If you are absent from class, it is your responsibility to check on announcements made while you were absent.