This fall, Newman University will offer a course entitled “Renaissance and Reformation,” which will explore the artistic, political and religious developments and revolutions of the Renaissance period in Europe as well as the Protestant Reformation that followed it. The course will begin Aug. 24 and will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. on Tuesdays for 16 weeks on the Newman University campus.
The course is available to both undergraduate and graduate students at Newman for credit, but anyone who is interested – even those not currently enrolled at Newman – may audit the course.
The course covers a wide range of material and is considered both a history and a theology class. It will be taught by two professors, Associate Professor of History Cheryl Golden, Ph.D., and Assistant Professor of Theology Joshua Papsdorf, Ph.D.
“Basically, both Professor Papsdorf and I wanted to work together on a course,” said Golden. “I have an interest in the Renaissance as an exciting time in Italian history when the scholars were rediscovering their ties to their ancient Greek and Roman ancestors. Professor Papsdorf is interested in how the Reformation played out directly following the Renaissance. He is our expert on doctrinal debates and the shape the Church took as a result of this energizing and challenging era in both Church and world history.”
The combined interests of Golden and Papsdorf mean that the class will take students throughout Europe from Italy to England, and that students will become familiar with figures from Leonardo to Machiavelli, from Martin Luther to St. Ignatius of Loyola, and from Copernicus to Columbus.
Anyone wishing to audit the course (whether a Newman student or not) must visit the Registrar’s Office at Newman, enroll in the class as an audit and fill out the appropriate forms. The tuition for an audit course in $45 per credit hour in addition to the cost of books or other fees. “Renaissance and Reformation” is a three credit-hour course. Instead of a traditional letter grade, students auditing the class receive an “AU” grade upon completion.
Aside from Newman students and those interesting in auditing the class, Golden said that the course would be a good opportunity for secondary education teachers to receive hours for certification.
She is also excited about the opportunity to teach the course.
“The art and ideas of the Italian Renaissance combined with the revolutionary developments in politics and religion in Northern Europe. I cannot imagine a better way to spend a Tuesday evening!”
