The Renaissance
Humanities Course | |
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Course Code | RENS |
Year Opened | 1994*-2016 |
Sites Offered | ALX, BTH, CHS, NLD, PAL, SAN |
Course Description
From the CTY Course Catalog (1996):
Students in this course explore, on several levels, the Renaissance and its radical changes on European civilization. On the cultural level, students read excerpts from works of English literary masters such as Shakespeare and Marlowe. Comparing experiences described in the literature with those depicted in art, students are introduced to the work of such artists as Giotto, Durer, Bruegal, and Michelangelo. As students span the period from Proto-Renaissance to High Renaissance, they consider the period in historical terms, looking at developments in science, commerce, government, and industry.
Students complete both individual and group projects. Examples from previous courses include reports on Renaissance discoveries in astronomy, making a fresco, and charting the courses of explorers such as Diaz. Field trips to art museums are planned for this class.
Class History
RENS.PAL.16.1 had Kurt W. as the instructor and Zach as the TA. Kurt carried around an antique Macbook and a stuffed moose named Pico in his backpack. He also had a gigantic flag related to the Renaissance and would let his students hold it while walking to and from class.
Since most of the class was taught using slideshows, a projector was needed. However, the big, quality projector was in high demand, so by the second week the class was stuck with a minuscule, crappy projector. The class named it Clarence.
During a mock trial, Kurt would jokingly yell insults at whoever was being tried, and one of the two boys in the entire class tried to copy him. With ferocity, he went, "You dimple!" when he meant to say, "You pimple!" This became an inside joke.