Renaissance Studies

MA Renaissance Studies

The MA in Renaissance Studies is an interdisciplinary course, This is a well-established MA, which has been running for over fifteen years. Broadly based, it explores a variety of aspects of Renaissance culturem particularly the social and intellectual histories of England, France, Italy and Spain.

The Renaissance Concepts & Issues

All students take this core module at the start of the degree programme. In a series of lectures and seminars, it introduces some of the key issues which scholarship and criticism of the Renaissance have posed in recent years, including the fundamental question ‘ What is the Renaissance?' the course examines ideas about humanism, the relation between popular and elite culture, European and non-European contacts, the use of the classics, as well as exploring interdisciplinary approaches and theatrical models for examining cultural history. Exemplary material is drawn from English, French, Italian, Latin and Spanish writings and visual culture. Material not in English will be studied in translation.

Part-Time Programme

Part-time students take the core course in term 1 of their first year, and an option course in term 2. They take an option in terms 1 and 2 of their second year, attend the summer programme and complete the dissertation over the summer after the end of teaching in their second year.