The Renaissance was a dangerous time to challenge long standing orthodox beliefs and practices in western Christendom. Lutherans and Huguenots were persecuted, Galileo was subjected the Inquisition and house arrest for years. Leonardo da Vinci feared arrest by the thought police of a corrupt papacy in the 15th and 16th C. Slavery and the slave trade were commonplace in many parts of Christian Europe. The conquest of Constantinople by the Ottoman Islamic army in 1453 struck fear into the Christian European kingdoms. The persecution of thousands of women condemned and executed as witches happened during the Renaissance

This class will be delivered face-to-face at WEA Sydney. Enrolling students need to ensure they have read the current COVID-19 Safety Guidance that WEA Sydney has put in place before enrolling.

COURSE OUTLINE

• Challenges to Catholic Church Orthodoxy, Protestant reformers including Martin Luther, Scientists including Galileo and the responses of the Inquisition
• Constant warfare in the Papal States of Italy, political intrigue with France, Spain and England, the German and Italian kingdoms, the role of significant Italian families including the Medici and their involvement in politics, warfare and the patronage of the painting, sculpture and architecture
• Slavery and the slave trade, violence, persecution of witches and the march of Islam after 1453
  
  

PLANNED LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of this course, students should be able to:

1. Explain the discrepancy between the “beauty” and the “terror” of the Renaissance across two centuries of late mediaeval and early modern history in Europe.
2. Evaluate the key role of key role of scientists, artists, politicians, popes and power brokers in the Renaissance period.
3. Appreciate some of the key aspects of the legacy of the Renaissance period in relation to 2021.