IAH 207: Lit, Cultures, Identities
Section 734 – Redefining Renaissance: From the Early Modern through the COVID-19 Era
Course Description:
In this class, we will explore the meaning of the term renaissance and examine how the idea of renaissance has shaped literary history. We will begin in “the Renaissance,” then analyze renaissance periods in Black, Indigenous, and LGBTQ+ literature to examine both the importance and limitations of thinking about these artistic outputs through this lens. We will read works by authors such as Zora Neale Hurston, Claude McKay, N. Scott Momaday, Leslie Marmon Silko, Gloria Anzaldúa, Tony Kushner, and William Shakespeare. We will also question the expectation that the COVID-19 pandemic will lead to another renaissance period similar to the plague years in early modern Europe. Throughout the semester, you will work to create a digital project in the form of a podcast, multimedia poster, or website around the theme of renaissance.
Course Goals and Objectives:
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Identify traits of renaissance periods in a variety of different historical and artistic contexts
- Develop close reading and critical analysis skills to help them understand literature from a variety of historical periods and cultures
- Engage with selected critical scholarship to hone abilities to participate in scholarly discussions around both literary and critical writings
- Draw connections between course texts and articulate their thoughts via a digital scholarly project that has a clear thesis and well developed argument
- Thoughtfully engage with a variety of digital projects and tools as both producers and consumers
View the major assignments here.