Encountering works by Petrarch, Machiavelli, Montaigne, Cervantes, Shakespeare, Milton, Cavendish, and Descartes, we consider the revival and imitation of the classics and explore the new focus on the physical world and the self. Topics studied include the origins of early modern political and scientific thought, the beginning of the novel, a revival of the epic tradition, and Baroque aesthetics. A study of Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel and works by Rembrandt add an artistic lens to our studies. A focus on writing and research complements our emphasis on authorship. Effective Fall 2018, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Writing, Research, and Inquiry; Research and Information Literacy. Effective Fall 2022, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Aesthetic Exploration, Research and Information Literacy, Writing, Research & Inquiry (e.g., WR 150).

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