H222/T425 - RENAISSANCE AND REFORMATION
CRN 23551/22065
Tues., Thurs. 6:00 – 7:15
IPFW - CM 210
Instructor: Cameron A. MacKenzie
Office Phone: 452-2226 (Concordia Theological Seminary)
E-mail: cameron.mackenzie@ctsfw.edu
I. Course Description
This course offers a thematic survey of the major cultural, political, social, religious, and philosophical movements in European history from about 1300 to 1600. The rise of the nation-state, new and powerful developments in the arts, and the success of the Protestant Reformation make this an important period for understanding western civilization even to this day. By reading texts from the period as well as pertinent secondary literature, by listening to lectures and viewing films, and by planned as well as spontaneous discussion, students will become familiar with the contributions of major historical figures of the period and with the ideas and events that have shaped our civilization.
II. Required Texts
A. The following texts will be used:
1. Louis W. Spitz, The Renaissance and Reformation Movements, 2 vols.
2. John W. Boyer and Julius Kirshner, eds., University of Chicago Readings in Western Civilization, vol. 5: The Renaissance, ed. by Eric Cochrane and Julius Kirshner
B. Each of the volumes on the general history of the period includes an excellent bibliography that will lead students to additional readings if desired.
III. Expectations for Students
A. Instruction format: Information will be presented through lectures, films and videos, and class discussions. In order for class discussion to be profitable, students will have to do the assigned readings. Students are also invited to ask any and all questions and to suggest any topic pertinent to the course about which they would like to learn more.
B. Each session of the course will begin at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday evenings and conclude at 7:15 p.m. The instructor will take attendance, since university expects students to attend class.
C. Two examinations will be given. Each exam will count for one third of the student’s final grade for the course. The first exam will cover material from the first volume by Lewis Spitz; the second from the second volume. Students are expected to take all exams when scheduled. Makeup exams will be scheduled at the instructor’s convenience and only in the case of a dire emergency. The instructor reserves the right to change the format of makeup tests but assures students that the material tested will remain the same.
D. The remaining one third of a student’s grade will be determined by a written assignment. Since this course is being offered at two different academic levels, the written assignment for each level is distinct from the other.
1. Written assignment for students taking the course at the 200 level, i.e., as H222: Choose one selection from the assigned book of readings, The Renaissance, and write an introduction to it. Place both the author and his work into a historical context by describing where, how, and why he wrote and also by comparing and contrasting the themes and ideas of the selection you have chosen with the work of predecessors and contemporaries who may have written about the same subject.
Your final paper should be five to ten pages (word-processed, double-spaced, 10-12 size font). In addition to the book of readings, you will also have to consult other works (5 to 10 articles and/or books should be sufficient; online sources acceptable) to obtain the required information for your paper. Such works should be listed in a bibliography of works cited at the end of your paper. Your work does not have to come to original conclusions; but when it incorporates the research and ideas of others, you need to acknowledge your sources in scholarly annotations.
In preparing the final paper, students should observe a standard style for annotations (footnotes or endnotes), title page, bibliography, grammar, spelling, and other mechanical considerations. Use the IPFW History Department Style Guide to help you. This is available on the department home page. (www.ipfw.edu/hist). As needed, the instructor will offer advice on such matters.
If you need help, remember to consult with the IPFW Helmke Library (www.lib.ipfw.edu) staff for your research and with the IPFW Writing Center (KT G35) for your writing (see below). Remember that they are there to help you. Make use of them.
The instructor will grade the student’s paper on both content and presentation (style, grammar, organization, and the like).
Due date for the written assignment: Tuesday, April 1, at the beginning of class. A student’s grade on the written assignment will be reduced if it is late.
2. Written assignment for students taking the course at the 400 level, i.e., as T425: Compare and contrast the ideas of two Renaissance and Reformation writers on a topic of interest to you. Define the topic narrowly and base your comparison on two documents, one from each writer. Besides the contents of each writer’s ideas, you may also want to compare each author’s methodology, logic, organization, and style. Look for points of similarity as well as dissimilarity. Use secondary sources to help you read the documents but base your comparison on what you see for yourself in the primary sources. Your analysis does not have to arrive at original conclusions. The important point of the exercise is that you read for yourself what the documents say and exercise your own historical judgment. You may choose your documents from the assigned book of readings, The Renaissance, but you need not do so.
Your final paper should be ten to fifteen pages (word-processed, double-spaced, 10-12 size font). Be sure to include a bibliography of works cited at the end of your paper; and whenever your paper relies upon the research and ideas of others, you need to acknowledge your sources in scholarly annotations.
In preparing the final paper, students should observe a standard style for annotations (footnotes or endnotes), title page, bibliography, grammar, spelling, and other mechanical considerations. Use the IPFW History Department Style Guide to help you. This is available on the department home page. (www.ipfw.edu/hist). As needed, the instructor will offer advice on such matters.
The instructor will grade the student’s paper on both content and presentation (style, grammar, organization, and the like).
Due date for the written assignment: Tuesday, April 1, at the beginning of class. A student’s grade on the written assignment will be reduced if it is late.
E. Criteria for evaluation
1. The following grading scale will be used on all
examinations:
A -- 100-90 per cent
B -- 89-80 per cent
C -- 79-70 per cent
D -- 69-60 per cent
F -- 59 per cent and below
2. To summarize the above, a student’s grade will be determined as follows:
a. Each test counts one third of the grade for a total of two thirds.
b. The written assignment counts for the remaining one third.
Center for Academic Support and Advancement, www.ipfw.edu/casa
The place to go for concentrated study time!
The SPOT Course-Specific Tutoring: Make your study time not only more effective,
but also more efficient by signing up for free tutoring available in the SPOT
in Kettler G21 (next door to the Writing Center). You are entitled to 2 free
hours per week of one-to-one, course-specific help in understanding concepts,
practicing the application or explanation of material being learned, and developing
effective test-taking strategies. Make all appointments online through TutorTrac
at www.ipfw.edu/casa.
If you don’t see a tutor available for your class, contact us in Kettler G21!
Drop-in tutoring is also available for math (schedule on website) and a few other
subjects. If you need help with study skills in general, drop by the SPOT to
view our self-paced tutorials or make a one-to-one appointment. Information
about STEPS (Student Technology Education ProgramS) classes can be found the
CASA website. Also, check with your instructor about whether Supplemental
Instruction (group study) is available for this class. Questions? Call
481-5419.
SPOT Hours Spring 2008: Monday-Thursday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday 8 a.m. to 4
p.m.
The WRITING CENTER: Save time and write better papers or presentations for any
class through free one-to-one or small group consultations in The Writing
Center, Kettler G19 (next door to the SPOT). Bring assignments, questions,
ideas, and a draft (if you have one). Consultants can help you get started,
write more clearly, revise, edit, and cite sources responsibly. Come as you
begin and as you revise. Drop-ins are welcome if time is available, but appointments,
made online through TutorTrac, receive preference. For TutorTrac, online consulting,
and resources to make your writing process easier, go to www.ipfw.edu/casa/writing.
Questions? Call 481-5740.
Writing Center hours Spring 2008: M-Th 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; F 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.;
Su 1 to 5 p.m.