Monday Blegging
Bleg One:
Still looking for a host for this month's Ancient/Medieval Carnivalesque. Anyone? Professor Noakes? ITM? Bueller?
Bleg Two:
Does anyone have a favourite Ren-Ref textbook? The last time I took a Ren-Ref course was undergrad, and we used Spitz. I know I would like to teach Martin Guerre, and will probably use Engels' The Peasant War in Germany. I might also use Scarisbrick, The Reformation and the English People and/or O'Day, The Debate on the English Reformation. But I really am at a loss on the Renaissance (apart from some Machiavelli and maybe More's Utopia) -- and I am leaning too far towards England (although that's probably a good thing, as the only reason I'm teaching this class is that the ed. majors need it).
But any suggestions would be appreciated.
10 comments:
It's pretty standard/old-fashioned stuff, but I'm still fond of DeLamar Jensen, Renaissance Europe: Age of Recovery and Reconciliation (there's a similar volume on the Reformation as well). It's very readable and gives you a nice foundation from which to kick off and play with things like Martin Guerre.
Oh, and there's a good Margaret King volume on the Renaissance, but from what I recall it was unreasonably pricey.
Eileen [that's me] of ITM would be happy to take on a carnival and host it on ITM. Contact me at ejoy@siue.edu and let me know by when this needs to be completed. Cheers, Eileen
Thanks p/h -- Jensen is about $80 a volume, so I think I may have to give it a miss.
Eileen, you are wonderful! E-mail wending its way!
Lots of people like James Tracy's Ref textbook, and it is cheap. The problem is that it is not chronologically organized, which confuses lots of students. There is a book, Major Problems, about the Italian Ren., from which I steal occasionally. People also like Zophy, I have never used it. You might also check out the University of Chicago Readings in Western Civilization series--their readers areonly $25 and usually pretty solid.
forgot to say, I also LOVE the John C Olin ed. _A REformation Debate_. Cheap from Baker Books.
I'd vote against Scarisbrick -- old, and too romantic about the pre-reformation church. Why not use Diarmaid MacCulloch's Reformation book, to cover all Europe?
I'll look into those suggestions vce and Susan. Thanks! I have to admit I kind of like Scarisbrick because I like the man himself (despite the fact that we have widely differing politics).
I've taught Machiavelli twice and wouldn't recommend him unless you have a lot of time to think over the summer about approaches. He's HARD! The Prince went really well with The Tempest, though.
I have used McCulloch and it is a mixed bag. Well written and interesting. However, he is constantly making assertions about the sexuality of the Reformers that annoy the students. Also very, very, very long. If your students understand Engels MacCulloch won't be a challenge, but for students who know nothing about the Ref., he is a stretch. Something that has not get been raised is Euan Cameron's Ref textbook, which I have used in a pinch, although I am not thrilled about it. You might also consider Ozment's Age of Reform, although the medieval chapters will be hard for the average undergrad.
Another primary source I really like is the _Short Chronicle of Jeanne de Jussy_. Check out my review on H-Catholic published this month if interested in more details.
On the Ren: there's always "The Courtier." Since no one knows what the Prince means, I have always found it hard to teach with a straight face.
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