The Renaissance and Humanism

The Renaissance and Humanism A new way of looking at the world! HSS California State Standard 7.8.1

Learning Objective • Learning Objective: Students will be able to explain what the Renaissance is and how Humanism changed Europe’s way of thinking.

First, let’s review what’s happened up until now… • Activating prior knowledge...

Classical • refers to the cultures of Ancient Greece and Rome.

Medieval (dark ages) • Period between the Roman Empire and the Re-Birth of Europe. • Not very many new ideas about art or literature. • People did NOT think for themselves, and followed strict social structures and beliefs.

What’s New?

The Renaissance • French for “Re-birth”. This is the re-birth of classical culture and art in Europe after the Dark Ages. Centered in Italy. • Embraces a new way of thinking called “Humanism.”

Whiteboards • The word renaissance means “re-birth”. What was reborn during the Renaissance? • A. Interest in Christianity • B. The Byzantine Empire • C. Interest in classical culture • D. The Islamic religion

Whiteboards • The word renaissance means “re-birth”. What was reborn during the Renaissance? • C. Interest in classical culture

Whiteboards • Where did the Renaissance take place? • A. Germany • B. Italy • C. Byzantine Empire • D. Greece

Whiteboards • Where did the Renaissance take place? • B. Italy

Whiteboards • The new way of thinking during the Renaissance was called_______________. • Humanism

Fill out the boxes in your Graphic Organizer as you view the Rest of the Presentation…

Humanism • Humanists formed a belief in the importance of the individual . • Humanism also valued classical culture.

Petrarch • Name of a poet who was one of the first Humanists. • Loved books. Believed people could learn by reading on their own. • Studied classical literature.

Think/ Pair/ Share Make an inference: • If Petrarch studied classical literature, what kinds of books would he have read? • Classical books from Greece or Rome. • (Recall from 6th grade: These may have included the works of people like Aristotle, Plato, or Homer.)

Humanist Beliefs, Not Feudalism! • Humanists believe that people have the ability to think for themselves and create their own life. People can do this apart from social class or family. FREE TO THINK! NOT STUCK IN THIS PYRAMID!

Think/ Pair/ Share • Why were humanist beliefs so different from medieval thinking and feudalism? • A’s tell B’s • B’s tell A’s • Now I will select someone will explain to the class.

Humanism Vs. The church • Humanists focused on the present. The Church focused on the afterlife. • Humanists believed people should use their own minds and question everything. The Church believed people should follow its teachings without question in order to save their souls.

Think/ Pair/ Share • Do you think Humanist ideas might have caused a conflict with the Church? Why? • Predict: What might the Church’s reaction be to these new ideas?

Humanities • In order to further study the potential of human beings, people can study the HUMANITIES: • areas of study that focuses on human life and culture, such as: history, literature, and ethics. • (Artists in the Renaissance will also encourage the study of the human body as well as the mind.)

Think/ Pair/ Share • In what way do your studies at school embrace humanist ideas? • A’s tell B’s • B’s tell A’s • I will now choose someone to share with the class.

Closing Question:Think/Pair/Share • How was Europe’s thinking re-born (changed) from Medieval Times to the Renaissance? • A’s tell B’s • B’s tell A’s • I will now choose people to share with the class.

The Renaissance and Humanism