The Medieval and Renaissance Body

Subject 131-704 (2009)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2009. Search for this in the current handbook

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 9 (Graduate/Postgraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2009:

Semester 1, - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: A 2-hour seminar per week
Total Time Commitment: Not available
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

Coordinator

Megan Cassidy, Dr Catherine Kovesi

Contact

CATHERINE KOVESI, DR MEGAN CASSIDY-WELCH

c.kovesi@unimelb.edu.au

mecass@unimelb.e.du.au

Subject Overview: This seminar explores the ways in which medieval and Renaissance people gave meaning to the idea of the body. We will explore such topics as fragmented bodies and the cult of saints; the gendering of the body; medieval and Renaissance perceptions of death, decay and bodily resurrection; the ingestion of the sacred body of Christ in the Eucharistic ritual; medicalised understandings of the working of the body; ‘deformed’ bodies, monsters and the possessed; the body and cosmos in the thought of Hildegard of Bingen and Leonardo da Vinci; and representations of the body in medieval and Renaissance art. Students completing this unit should be able to engage critically with historical understandings of the body in a medieval and Renaissance context; demonstrate familiarity with the principal sources for the study of the medieval and Renaissance body; and demonstrate an understanding of the main debates about the body as a subject of historical enquiry.
Objectives: Students who successfully complete this subject should...
  • engage critically with historical understandings of the body in a medieval and Renaissance context;
  • demonstrate familiarity with the principal sources for the study of the medieval and Renaissance body;
  • demonstrate an understanding of the main debates about the body as a subject of historical enquiry.
Assessment: A research essay of 3000 words due in the 8th week of the semester (50%) and a reflective essay of 2000 words to be submitted during the examination period at the end of semester (50%)
Prescribed Texts: A subject reader will be available at the beginning of semester
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills: Students who successfully complete this subject should
  • demonstrate research skills through competent use of the library and other information sources;
  • show critical thinking and analysis through recommended reading, essay writing and tutorial discussion, and by determining the strength of an argument;
  • demonstrate understanding of social, ethical and cultural context through the contextualisation of judgements, developing a critical self-awareness, being open to new ideas and possibilities and by constructing an argument.
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Ancient, Medieval && Early Modern Studies
History
History
Medieval & Renaissance Studies

Download PDF version.