HI4303 Renaissance Florence, c.1348-c.1527

Module Organiser: Prof. David Ditchburn
Duration: Michaelmas term
Contact hours: 2 hours per week
Weighting: 10 ECTS
ASsessment: 20% Essay; 80% Examination

This module examines key themes in the history of Florence between the onset of the Black Death (in 1348) and the Sack of Rome (in 1527). Focussing especially upon social, cultural and political issues, topics covered will include the identity of Renaissance Florence; its social and household structure; and attitudes to death, religion, culture and protest. Among the major political events covered are the rise of the Medici, relations with the other Italian states and reactions to the French invasions of Italy. The module will also consider the effects of social change and issues of gender and class. Seminars will involve analysis of a variety of primary sources (in translation) and various appropriate methodologies.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:

• Analyse social, economic and cultural developments in renaissance Florence
• Identify and search for relevant secondary literature
• Engage with relevant theoretical and critical approaches to the history of Florence in this period
• Apply different techniques of evaluation and interpretation to relevant primary sources
• Critique relevant historiography in the light of study of primary sources
• Present and discuss analysis of questions relating to the history of medieval religion
• Analyse the social and cultural impact on Florence of different political and economic developments and natural disasters such as the Black Death.