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Discourses of the Renaissance
DozentIn: Dr. phil. Anja Höing, M.Ed.
Veranstaltungstyp: Seminar
Ort: 41/215
Zeiten: Di. 16:00 - 18:00 (wöchentlich)
Beschreibung: The Early Modern era was a particularly important period in British cultural history. In the 16th century, both the Renaissance and the Reformation came to Britain virtually simultaneously, upsetting structures that had gone unchallenged throughout the Middle Ages. In political, socio-cultural and religious terms alike, the Renaissance was a time of turmoil and radicalism, and as a result both English culture and literature changed profoundly.
In this seminar, we will approach the history of Early Modern Britain through the lens of cultural studies. Using a variety of theoretical approaches, we will investigate sources both in the centre of the Renaissance canon and at its margins. Our aim will be not merely to make sense of English Renaissance culture as presented in history books, but rather to gain insight into the underlying discourses. How did the early moderns approach things like gender, identity, or race? And how can theoretical approaches from various fields of Cultural Studies help us to develop new insights on how Renaissance England perceived itself and the world?
In this course, we will not focus on one major primary source. Instead, students will be asked to prepare excerpts from a wide spectrum of Renaissance primary texts as well as several theoretical texts. Additional readings will be assigned for certain sessions and will be made available either on Stud.IP, online, or in the university library. Check Stud-IP on a regular basis to be aware of updates, announcements, and changes.
Students will be required to
• read and discuss a number of theoretical and historical texts
• participate actively and regularly, both in the sessions (including short ‘spotlight presentations’) and in the course Wiki
• write a term paper (details on requirements will be announced in the first session)
