The Renaissance

Consider the historic “ingredients” of the Renaissance and explain how and why they led to innovations associated with the Renaissance as well as some sharp differences between Southern and Northern Europe.

The Renaissance did not just appear from nowhere.  While it does represent a new and distinct period in history, it is in many ways a culmination of what came before.

  The word renaissance” means rebirth, and the period known as the Renaissance was a rebirth of Greco-Roman ideas.  However, the ideas and culture of the Middle Ages, especially the Late Middle Ages, also contributed significantly to the Renaissance. 

The task is: to identify and explain the historic ingredients that led to the Renaissance; to explain the “how?” and “why?” of Renaissance innovations; and, finally, to explain why there were cultural differences between Southern and Northern Europe during the Renaissance.

Given the length of this paper, you must be very clear and concise – do not go off on tangents.  Focus on concepts and illustrate them with specific examples.  Most importantly, the paper must reveal your thinking – do not simply repeat what happened in history. The paper must meet the following requirements:

Length: at least 9 full pages of text – you can write more, but it will not necessarily affect your grade (bibliography does NOT count toward page total, and no title page is necessary).  If you use a direct quote or paraphrase, or someone else’s analysis or ideas, it has to be cited. 

Do not use quotes from books or any other sources for the narrative component of your paper – quotes are only used as evidence to back up your arguments, and even then, only when necessary (in other words, VERY sparingly). Plagiarism is the act of claiming the work of others as your own.  If you use a direct quote, a paraphrase, or someone else’s analysis or ideas, you MUST cite the source.  In short, wherever you get your material, you must provide a citation. 

With direct quotes, place your citation within the paragraph.  Otherwise, you can place a citation at the end of the paragraph and list all of your sources in the note.  Failure to do this will result at minimum of a failing grade for the paper, and at maximum of failure for the course  it is my sole decision, and either are possible and final.

I will not accept any excuses from anyone that they do not know what plagiarism is, or its consequences.  I will only accept Chicago style citations (yes, that means no MLA or APA) see below for details. Paper format:  Your paper must adhere to the following format guidelines: Put your name on the first line of the first page  begin your essay on the second line of the first page. You must use Times New Roman 12 font, double-spaced, with 1” margins on the top and bottom and 1.25 margins on the right and left.

  To get those margins (in Microsoft Word or Works), click “Layout” and click the drop-down menu “Margins” – you might have to select “Custom margins” and put the appropriate numbers in the appropriate fields. Do not include extra spaces between paragraphs. Do not include pictures or lengthy quotes. In the Format/paragraph window, (in the “Indents and spacing” tab) make sure that the “Do not add space between paragraphs of the same style” box IS checked and that the spacing “Before” and “After” is set to 0 pt.  In the Line and page breaks tab, UNcheck “widow and orphan control.” To cite using Chicago style: at the point of citation, click the -References tab then Insert footnote.Though not required, it does sometimes help to insert page numbers.