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HU Credits:
2
Degree/Cycle:
2nd degree (Master)
Responsible Department:
General & Compar. Literature
Semester:
2nd Semester
Teaching Languages:
Hebrew
Campus:
Mt. Scopus
Course/Module Coordinator:
Dr. Gur Zak
Coordinator Office Hours:
Tue. 15-16
Teaching Staff:
Dr. Gur Zak
Course/Module description:
One of the dominant fields in contemporary theory is that of “post-humanism”. As their name indicate, “post-humanist” approaches define themselves in opposition to a beleaguered “humanism”, which they intend to supersede. If “humanism” was essentially identified with "Renaissance" and "modernity", then “post-humanism” sees itself as a new decisive break. The aim of this present course is to examine with a critical eye current post-humanist approaches and especially their attitude towards Renaissance humanism, claiming that much of what is today considered as “post-humanism” in effect had its origins in Renaissance literature. The exploration of “Renaissance post-humanism” in this course will be based on four distinct sub-topics: 1. Human-animal relations in Renaissance literature. 2. Renaissance views of emotions. 3. The Renaissance idea of “self-care”. 4. Renaissance views of language and meaning. Among the authors we will discuss: Petrarch, Boccaccio, Montaigne, Erasmus, Shakespeare and Milton.
Course/Module aims:
To reflect critically on current post-humanist approaches and especially on their one-sided views of renaissance literature.
To show how much of what is today seen as "post-humanist" in effect had its origins in renaissance literature.
To offer novel readings of major renaissance works, in a way which identifies "post-humanist" trends within them.
Learning outcomes - On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:
Demonstrate close acquaintance with contemporary post-humanist theory as well as with renaissance literature.
Offer critical readings of contemporary theoretical works as well as of literary works from the Renaissance.
Attendance requirements(%):
100
Teaching arrangement and method of instruction:
Course/Module Content:
1. From Humanism to Posthumanism
2. The Human-Animal Divide in Renaissance Literature.
3. Passions, Emotions, and Self in Renaissance Literature.
4. The Care of the Self
5. Language and Meaning in the Renaissance.
Required Reading:
J. Campana and S. Massano, eds. Renaissance
Posthumanism (Fordham, 2016)
G. Paster, K. Rowe, M. Wilson, Reading the Early Modern Passions (Philadelphia, 2004)
B. Arbel, The Renaissance Transformation of Animal Meaning: Petrarch to Montaigne (Michigan, 2011)
G. Zak, Petrarch's Humanism and the Care of the Self (Cambridge, 2010)
Additional Reading Material:
Course/Module evaluation:
End of year written/oral examination 0 %
Presentation 20 %
Participation in Tutorials 10 %
Project work 70 %
Assignments 0 %
Reports 0 %
Research project 0 %
Quizzes 0 %
Other 0 %
Additional information:
None
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