ITAL8835 · Romance Languages and Literatures
Morrissey College of Arts & Sciences
Conducted in ItalianLeon Battista Alberti is a unique protagonist of the ItalianRenaissance. While best known for his architectural accomplishments, Alberti penned a variety of literary works, including scientific treatises, satirical novels, and the first manual ever of European vernacular. This course explores Alberti's ambition to acquire literary leadership to influence the powerful humanists in Florence and overcome his own illegitimate origins. Throughout the semester, students will discuss central ideas of Medieval and Early Modern Italian culture (the construction of the self, the role of virtue, the condition of exile, etc.), within the context of major theoretical debates of the time.
Course experience
Averages use the original five-point historical evaluation scale.
Organization
4.7 / 5
How well the course was organized
Challenge
4.7 / 5
How intellectually challenging students found it
Attendance
5.0 / 5
How necessary attendance was
Assignments
4.8 / 5
How helpful assignments were
Weekly effort
~7
hours per week
Estimated from the original workload response buckets. Individual sections may differ.
Instructor options
Ratings below reflect the evaluations connected to this course.
Across time
Available section-level results across semesters.
Spring 2025
1 sectionSpring 2023
1 section