We will study several key works often taken to epitomize the European Renaissance mindset from 15th through 16th Centuries. These often short, often playful works had a disproportionately large impact on European literature, culture, and philosophy, and they helped to launch Renaissance humanism; they also represent much of what we take to have been new and exciting about Renaissance thought. We will consider some claims - often vehemently denied - about why the Renaissance remains innovatively foundational for modern culture. I hope we will read these texts with pleasure and understanding.

While the art and architecture so definitive of the Renaissance will not be the main focus of this course, class members are welcome to draw our attention to relevant works.