Unit 1 Introduction
Completion requirements
Unit 1
Renaissance: The Origins of a Western Worldview
The Renaissance was a period in history during which a rebirth of
interest in classical knowledge and learning resulted in an intellectual
and artistic movement that was part of the transition from the medieval
worldview to a modern western worldview.
Do you recognize any of these images?
They are all people who lived during the Renaissance.
One is a famous painting of an Italian woman; one of the people is a religious thinker; one is a Portuguese explorer; one is a Polish astronomer and mathematician; and one is a poet, philosopher, and historian.
Figure 1.2 © Wikipedia
Nicolaus Copernicus
considered the father of modern astronomy and science
considered the father of modern astronomy and science
Figure 1.3 © Biography
Martin Luther
religious scholar and founder of Protestant religion
religious scholar and founder of Protestant religion
Figure 1.4 © Biography
Vasco de Gama
started the "Age of Exploration" during which Europeans began to settle in various parts of the world
started the "Age of Exploration" during which Europeans began to settle in various parts of the world
Figure 1.5 © Biography
Christine de Pisan
wrote about women participating more fully in society
wrote about women participating more fully in society
Unit 1 is about European society in the Middle Ages and how it changed during, and because of, the Renaissance.
You will learn how and why country and town life changed for ordinary people as well as for powerful people. You will learn about the influence of religion and changing attitude towards religion, the effects of increased international trade, the rise of humanism, and the effects of the exchange of new ideas and exploration.You will also learn about people who were involved in this movement and the contributions they made to the world and to the development of a new Western worldview.