Intellectual History from Antiquity to the Renaissance (VS1) (U03290)

? Credit Points : 20 ? SCQF Level : 10 ? Acronym : HCA-3-IHARVS1

This course will introduce students to the foundations of western intellectual history. It will move from key texts of Antiquity to those of the Renaissance, such as Platos Republic, Augustines City of God, Machiavellis Prince and Thomas Mores Utopia. These authors asked fundamental questions such as what is the good life for human beings?, what is the relationship between the individual and the state, and between the temporal and spiritual realms? They developed fascinating theories of virtue, freedom, and the nature, necessity and dangers of political authority. The course will explore all these fascinating ideas in their historical contexts.

Entry Requirements

? This course is only available to part year visiting students.

? This course is a variant of the following course : U03258

? Pre-requisites : A pass in any first level historical course and any second level historical course or equivalent. Visiting students should normally have 3 to 4 History courses at grade B or above. Before enrolling students on this course, Directors of Studies are asked to contact the History Honours Admissions Secretary to ensure that a place is available (tel.503783).

Subject Areas

Home subject area

History, (School of History, Classics and Archaeology, Schedule E)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : 3rd year

? Delivery Period : Semester 1 (Blocks 1-2)

? Contact Teaching Time : 2 hour(s) per week for 11 weeks

First Class Information

Date	Start	End	Room	Area	Additional Information
24/09/2007	11:10	13:00	Room 9.01, David Hume Tower	Central

All of the following classes

Type	Day	Start	End	Area
Lecture	Monday	11:10	13:00	Central

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

A central aim of this course is to introduce students to the study of intellectual history in general. It is also intended as an introduction to several of the most influential texts and currents of thought in European intellectual history, from classical antiquity to the sixteenth century. Students who complete the course successfully will acquire an ability to read and analyze conceptually challenging primary texts, and to draw on contextual information to inquire into the historical meaning of these texts.