Renaissance Worlds: Ideas That Changed Europe

The Renaissance was far more than great paintings and famous artists—it was a period of profound change that reshaped how people understood the world, the body, knowledge, and their place in society. This course explores the Renaissance as a cultural movement across Europe, from Italy to the Low Countries, Spain, France, and beyond.

Across two terms, we will uncover how new ideas spread through art, science, medicine, exploration, and daily life. We will meet figures such as Leonardo da Vinci, Vesalius, Copernicus, and Erasmus, while also examining the experiences of ordinary people living through a time of transformation.

Drawing on texts, images, and historical evidence, the course invites you to explore how Renaissance ideas travelled, evolved, and influenced life across Europe.

No prior knowledge is required.

Topics will include:

Art and Visual Culture

Humanism and Learning

Science and Discovery

Medicine and the Body

Exploration and Global Encounters

Printing and Communication

Religion and Reform

Politics and Power

Daily Life in Renaissance Europe

Women in the Renaissance

Entertainment and Culture

Legacy of the Renaissance