Using primary sources, such as Vasari's Lives of the Artists , the class spans the period from Proto-Renaissance to High Renaissance and considers developments in philosophy, science, commerce, government, and industry. Students address Renaissance cultural history by reading excerpts from works of literary masters such as Shakespeare and studying works by artists such as Giotto, D rer, Brueghel, and Michelangelo, comparing experiences described in literature with those depicted in art.
Students complete both individual and group projects.
One project might ask each student to research and write an essay about the experiences of individuals during the Renaissance. Examples of group projects from previous summers include a report on Renaissance discoveries in astronomy, a performance of scenes from Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream , and a design for reconstructing Florence's Duomo. Field trips to local museums or dramatic productions complement topics covered in class. The Johns Hopkins University. All rights reserved.