Responses
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As stated in your syllabus, you will be responsible for
writing four 3-4 page ANALYTICAL
responses to the assigned readings. Each response is worth 10% of your final
grade, for a total of 40%. Below is a list of general guidelines to
follow when writing your responses. 1.
Each response is to be between 3-4 pages long. The
length will depend upon the topic and your ability to succinctly express your
ideas and opinions on each subject. Don’t cheat yourself: cutting short
your answer for the sake of saving yourself a bit of work can only be
detrimental to the fullness of your argument, and therefore to your
grade. 2.
The content of each response is loosely framed by the
topic we will be exploring each time. You may write about general or
specific aspects of the topic. It is also acceptable simply to respond
to one of the guide questions that will be provided a week in advance.
Keep in mind, however, that I expect well thought-out responses, and not a
regurgitation of information from the readings. ANALYZE, DON’T SUMMARIZE. 3.
Once again, GRAMMAR
COUNTS. Make sure you use correct grammar; it can only further
your arguments by making them clear and precise. If you turn in a truly badly written
response, I will return it to you ungraded! 4.
Responses are due at the beginning of each class. Late responses will be accepted, but
you will be heavily penalized for turning in late responses: YOU WILL LOSE A FULL LETTER GRADE PER
DAY – not class – the response is late. MAKE AN ADDITIONAL COPY AND BRING IT TO CLASS, as you will
be required to share your written ideas with your classmates. 5.
Failure to complete these assignments will result in an F
for the course. Just a few reminders:
I. There are several readings which you have to
access through this website. To make downloading easier, some of the
articles have been divided into two files, and you must download each part separately. Here are the readings which you must get
on-line: A. Lectures: 1. For August 31:
Text Chapter: “Religion and the 2. For September 12:
The Italian Recipe for Change, I: The Rise of the City-State 3. For September 14: The
Italian Recipe for Change, II: The Commercial Revolution 4. For October 24: A
Shift in Character, I: From the City-State to the Principality 5. For November 14:
The Italian Wars 6. For December 2:
The Renaissance Beyond B.
Primary Sources: 1.
For September 21 – Ø Trexler,
Richard. “The Friendship of Citizens,” in Public Life in Renaissance
Ø
Klapisch-Zuber, Christiane. "'Kin, Friends,
and Neighbors': The Urban Territory of a Merchant Family in 1400," in Women,
Family and Ritual in Renaissance 2.
For September 23 – Ø Kelly-Gadol,
Joan. "Did Women Have a Renaissance?" in Bridenthal, Renate,
ed. Becoming Visible: Women in European History. Ø Kuehn,
Thomas. "Understanding Gender Inequality in Renaissance
Europe," in Journal of Women's History, v8 n2 (Summer 1996), 59-80. 3.
For October 5 – Ø Petrarca,
Francesco. “The Ascent of Ø Petrarca,
Francesco. “A Disapproval of the
Unreasonable Use of Dialectic,” in Cassirer, Ernst, et al. The
Renaissance Philosophy of 4. For October 7 – Ø 5. For October 28 – Ø Lorenzo Valla’s
“Dialogue on Free Will,” selections. Ø Pico della
Mirandola’s “On the Dignity of Man,” selections. 6. For October 31 – Ø Leonardo
Bruni’s Panegyric to the City of Florence,
selections. Ø Further readings to
be announced. 7. For November 2 – Ø Muir, Edward. “The
Myth of Ø Further readings
to be announced. 8. For November 4 – Ø The rest of the readings are all in the
required books.
II.
You must do ALL the readings listed, even if no response is due on a given
day. Having a good discussion will depend on how prepared you
guys are. Some of the readings are long: give yourself enough time to
do them!
III.
Responses are due
September 28, October 10, November 14, and November 30. Each
response should answer ONE of the questions in your guide for
that particular reading. Remember: You are still responsible for ALL
the readings due that day! One last word: these responses are formal
assignments. That means that you should write a viable essay, with an
introduction, body, and conclusion. Have a thesis statement and then
prove your point! USE QUOTES
FROM THE |
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