History 403: The European Reformation: Religion and Visual Culture (Summer 1999)

This seminar will examine the complex history of religious reform in sixteenth-century continental Europe primarily from the point of view of visual culture. After devoting the first few weeks of the course to familiarizing ourselves with the basic events and themes of Reformation history, we will consider the fortunes and misfortunes of the world of religious images, beginning with fifteenth-century visions and ending with the Protestant rejection of images.

Each class will be based on questions and comments, generated by the students, on the assigned readings. Active participation, therefore, is a must. Students are expected to attend and participate in class each week.

Course Requirements
Class Participation = 25%
Midterm Test (12 June) = 25%
Written Assignments = 50%

Students have three options when it comes to the written assignments. Most should consider doing either Option A or Option B.

  • Option A: two papers (1500 words each). Each essay is worth 25% of the final mark. The first essay will be an assessment of the sixteenth-century arguments for and against the use of religious images. The second essay, due on 31 July, will require an analysis of either R. W. Scribner, For the Sake of Simple Folk or Lee Wandel, Voracious Idols and Violent Hands.
  • Option B: one proposal on a topic dealing with religion and visual culture (2 pages, 10%) due on 3 July and one paper on that topic based on several of the required readings in the syllabus (10-12 pages, 40%) due on 31 July.
  • Option C: one formal prospectus for a research paper on any topic involving the Reformation on the European continent (4-5 pages, 20%) due on 19 June and one research paper (10-12 pages, 30 %) due on 31 July. Avoid topics on the Reformation in the British Isles. .

    Books to be purchased

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