POLITICAL THOUGHT|RENAISSANCE EUROPE|EUROPEAN HISTORY|EARLY MODERN

This course explores the contribution of humanism and republicanism – especially in Florence – to the political thought of the European...

Political Thought in Renaissance Europe (HIST0626)

This course explores the contribution of humanism and republicanism – especially in Florence – to the political thought of the European Renaissance. It focuses on the letters of Petrarch; Leonardo Bruni’s orations and History of the Florentine People; Niccolò Machiavelli's Prince, Discourses on Livy, and Florentine Histories; and Francesco Guicciardini’s Dialogue on the Government of Florence. Students are encouraged to read these texts closely, to connect the ideas in them to their authors’ political and intellectual contexts, and to relate their understanding to the main interpretations of Renaissance  humanism, republicanism, and early modern political thought more generally, in modern scholarship.

There are no formal prerequisites for the course, but some familiarity with early modern intellectual history, particularly political thought, is strongly advised.

Dissertation for those on the MA Philosophy programme only.

CLASSES RUN IN THE AUTUMN TERM BUT STUDENTS WILL BE WORKING WHOLE YEAR.

Dissertation on Philosophy of Education (EDPS0075)

Module description

This is an intermediate Dutch language course. Topics cover current affairs, debates and cultural issues in the Low Countries. Language...

Intermediate Dutch Language and Culture (DUTC0005)

Module description

This is an intermediate Dutch language course. Topics cover current affairs, debates and cultural issues in the Low Countries. Language tasks in this course require a more sustained presentation of information and argumentation, in both speaking and writing. There are additional conversation sessions with a student language assistant. Students are expected to take increasing responsibility for identifying their own strengths and weaknesses and for taking remedial action as appropriate. By the end of the year students should be able to express opinions on specialist topics and will be able to apply more complex grammar and higher registers of vocabulary in both speaking and writing, equivalent to CEFR level B2, which is the requirement for studying abroad in the Netherlands or Flanders.

The course is assessed by a two-hour desk exam and an oral exam, as well as a portfolio of homework tasks and in-class tests.

Students need to acquire a copy of the Routledge Intensive Dutch Course (Routledge 2006). Further study material will be handed out in class and made available on the course Moodle pages.