After a quick look at the antecedent ideas of key Italian Renaissance writers, this course will focus on important European thinkers from 1500 to 1600. The goal will be to develop an understanding of major changes in human consciousness between the time of Machiavelli, at the beginning of this period, and Montaigne and Shakespeare, at its end. Through discussions based largely on original sources, we shall explore how such writers as Erasmus, More, Luther, Calvin, Bodin, Rabelais and others-seen within the context of their time and place-transformed the terms in which Europeans viewed themselves and their role in the world. Format: seminar. Evaluation will be based on two or three short, analytical papers and, possibly, a final take-home exam. Enrollment limit: 25 (expected: 8-15). Preference will be given to History majors. Groups B and D

Hour: GUNDERSHEIMER