Critical Social Inquiry 0245 - Reconsidering the Italian Renaissance: Rebellion, Authoritarianism, Racism

In light of current political developments and the demand for decolonial approaches to European histories, this course asks: What is the relevance of the Italian Renaissance today? We will discuss the extent to which the Florentine Republic's struggle for survival in the midst of wars and despotic/oligarchic/authoritarian usurpations might, again, be of interest to us, and analyze the persecution of gay men and queer sexualities, the control of women's reproduction, and the emergence of racism - topics, which, likewise, remind eerily of today's political agendas. We will critically examine Renaissance cultural productions (humanist history writing, portraiture, perspective, mapping, erotic art) while also appreciating the politics of beauty in architecture, urban planning, and figurative art. Other topics include: the African presence; the gendered politics of charity; patriarchal families; domestic slavery; the conquest of America in the Renaissance imagination. Keywords:European History, Art, Politics, Italian Renaissance, Decolonial

In/Justice The content of this course deals with issues of race and power Students should expect to spend 6-8 hours weekly on work and preparation outside of class time