Readings in Medieval and Renaissance Literature

Catalog description

This course explores Italian culture and literature from the Medieval era to the late phases of the early modern period. We will examine foundational authors such as Dante, Petrarch, and Boccaccio, with a focus on key developments in Italian society and the role of women as producers of both written and visual culture. The course will emphasize the religious culture of the Medieval period and the Renaissance's rediscovery of classical models. In addition to textual analysis, we will highlight significant achievements in art, architecture, and the emergence of archaeology. Texts will be studied mostly in Italian, supplemented by English translations. Instruction will primarily be in Italian, with accommodations and supporting materials in English.