COMPARATIVE LITERATURE 361/GLITS 314—WINTER 2022
EARLY MODERN SUBJECTS
Donald Gilbert-Santamaria M/W 9:30-11:20
donalgs@u.washington.edu MGH 271
Office Hours: M/W: 12:00-1:00 B-227 Padelford
The Renaissance is marked by a radical re-orientation in how human beings think about their place in the universe. In the wake of a medieval pessimism that tended to view humanity as the passive victim of largely uncontrollable external forces, the new voices that emerge in this period, working in all manner of disciplines, begin to re-think the individual’s relationship to the environment—political and social, but also natural. The result is a proliferation of new ideas, some subversive, some deeply attached to inherited power structures, but all preparing the way for our modern sense of who we are as human beings.
In ten weeks, we can only scratch the surface of this very large topic, and I have chosen a sampling of texts that is designed to provide some sense of the varied ways in which the question of subjectivity is re-configured throughout the early modern period. While the focus of the class will be on close readings of primary texts, we will attempt to contextualize those readings within a historical, social, and political context.
TEXTS
Augustine, Confessions
Cervantes, Exemplary Stories (selections)
Erasmus, Praise of Folly
Galileo, Discoveries and Opinions of Galileo (selections)
Machiavelli, The Prince
Montaigne, Essays (selections)
Petrarch, “Ascent of Mont Ventoux”
Sor Juan Inés de la Cruz, “Response of the Poet”
PARTICIPATION
The small size of this class represents a unique opportunity, but also imposes a heavier responsibility as the quality of each student’s participation will have a more substantive influence on the success of our in-class discussion. For this reason, I will be placing great emphasis on participation in this class. Students in this course will be expected to come to class having completed the readings for that day and prepared to contribute actively.
DIRECTED DISCUSSION
In keeping with the seminar format of this class, each student will be required to lead the class for one 20-minute session. The format for the directed discussion will include three important elements:
- A brief introduction of the major theme or idea that will provide the central focus for the day’s discussion.
- The use of one or more carefully selected passages from the course readings that will aid in our exploration of the major theme.
- A series of clearly articulated questions that will help to drive the conversation forward over the course of our discussion.
Directed discussions will not be assigned a formal grade. However, completion of this assignment is a requirement for the course. I will have more to say about the directed discussions in the first week of class.
WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS
The written component of this course will consist of two essays of at least 1,500 words in length. While I will provide rubrics with suggested topics, students are encouraged to design their own paper topics. Additional information about paper assignments will be provide in class.
Students interested in taking this course for optional “W” credit will be required to submit a draft for both papers by the deadlines indicated in the calendar below. Please let me know of your interest in this option by the end of the second week of classes.
GRADING
Participation 20%
Directed Discussion 20%
Essays 60% (30% per essay)
CALENDAR
Schedule for reading assignments may be modified, if necessary, over the course of the term.
Week #1
JAN 6/8
Petrarch, “Ascent of Mont Ventoux”
Augustine, Confessions
Week #2
JAN 13/15
Augustine, Confessions
Week #3
JAN 22
Montaigne, “On Education”; “On the Affection of Fathers for their Children”; “On the Cannibals”
Week #4
JAN 27/29
Montaigne, “On the Cannibals”; “On Coaches”
Other selected essays TBA in class
PAPER #1 DRAFT DUE: MONDAY, JAN. 27 (OPTIONAL “W” REQUIREMENT ONLY)
Week #5
FEB 3/5
Erasmus, Praise of Folly
Week #6
FEB 8 10/12
PAPER #1 DUE: MONDAY, FEB. 10
Erasmus, Praise of Folly
Machiavelli, The Prince
Week #7
FEB 19
Machiavelli, The Prince
Week #8
FEB 24/26
Cervantes, Exemplary Stories (“The Deceitful Marriage”; “The Dog’s Colloquy”)
Week #9
MAR 3/5
PAPER #2 DRAFT DUE: MONDAY, MARCH 3 (OPTIONAL “W” REQUIREMENT ONLY)
Galileo, Discoveries & Opinions of Galileo (“The Starry Messenger”; “Letter to the Grand Duchess Christina”)
Week #10
MAR 10/12
Sor Juana, “Response of the Poet”
FINAL PAPER DUE: WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19.
Academic Honesty and Plagiarism
All students are expected to follow the norms of academic honesty and plagiarism at the University of Washington. If a student is suspected of academic dishonesty (i.e. cheating) or commits plagiarism, the incident may be reported for possible disciplinary action.
Religious Activity Accomodation
Washington state law requires that UW develop a policy for accommodation of student absences or significant hardship due to reasons of faith or conscience, or for organized religious activities. The UW’s policy, including more information about how to request an accommodation, is available at Religious Accommodations Policy (https://registrar.washington.edu/staffandfaculty/religious-accommodations-policy/). Accommodations must be requested within the first two weeks of this course using the Religious Accommodations Request form (https://registrar.washington.edu/students/religious-accommodations-request/).