Chapter 14, Section 2
The Renaissance Moves North
Assignments and Activities

Assignments

1.    Take main idea notes over the section (to review the proper form for taking notes
        go to Main Idea Notes

2.    Develop main idea questions- For each topic sentence identify the main idea then
        develop questions based upon  that idea.  At first develop basic who, what, when, where,
        why, and how questions.  For example, on page 350 of your text under the heading Flemish
        painters, the topic sentence of the first paragraph reads: "Among the many talented artists
        of Flanders in the 1400s, Jan and Hubert van Eyck stand out."

        Obvious questions raised by this statement include:
        a.    Where is Flanders?
        b.    Why are the van Eyck brothers considered to be talented artists?

        Notice it is not necessary to ask questions using all of the interrogative pronouns.  Just ask
        the questions that are obviously raised by the topic sentence.  Leave space after each question to
        record a response to the question.  After writing the questions read the material and record a
        response if the information is available.  Sometimes you may ask a question and there may not be
        enough information to record a complete accurate response.

3      Jan van Eyck page

4.    Practice quiz

5.    Main idea quiz

6.    Reading quiz: The spread of printing.  Students will read a passage and construct responses to a
        series of questions.

7.    Exam:  The Renaissance, Chapter 14, Sections 1 and 2


Activities

1.    Using the text, The Humanities in Western Culture, identify and discuss the differences
        between Medieval art and Renaissance art.  When this activity is complete the students should
        be able to distinguish a Medieval painting from a Renaissance painting.

2.    Northern Renaissance Art

        a.    Review the four types of perspective.

        b.    Use the Web Gallery of Art to view the works of the following Northern Renaissance
                artists.   Apply your  knowledge of perspective to analyze the artists' technique.  If asked, be able
                to explain the artist's use of  perspective.

3.    Jan van Eyck, "The Marriage of Giovanni Arnolfini":  An exercise in art analysis,
        interpretation, and written expression.  Click on the above link and it will take you to the Web
        Gallery of Art where you will find the identified portrait.

        a.    Instructions
        b.   A Matter of Perspective
        c.   Economic interpretation:  An excerpt from Lisa Jardin's Worldly Goods
        d.   Religious interpretation:  "Meaning through Symbols"

4.    Northern Humanism

        a.    Read:
                1)    "Northern Humanists".  World History, pp. 350-351.
                2)    "Humanists of the Northern Renaissance were concerned with religion and
                        ethics".  History and Life,  pp. 364-365.

        b.    Create a T-chart.  Label the left sideof the T-chart " basic writings and themes of
                Erasmus" and label the right side of the chart "basic writings and themes of More".

        c.    Use information from the text to complete the chart.

5.    Students will be given a quote from one of William Shakepeare's plays.  Using a book
        of quotation or other source the student is to locate the quotation in its play, read the entire
        speech or section from which the quotation is taken, and then write a paragraph discussing
        the quotation.  The paragraph should analyze the Renaissance ideas and attitudes expressed
        in the quotation.  Click on the following link to go to the quotes: Shakespearean Quotes

6.     Bonus:  Students will be given the opportunity to watch the film The Agony and the Ecstasy.
        The film portrays the  life of Michelangelo Buonarotti at the time of the painting of the Sistine Chapel.
        Hollywood often takes great liberties in portraying history.  The students' job is to research several
        scenes to determine how true to historical fact the film was.  After conducting the research the
        student will set up an appointment to discuss his/her findings with the instructor.

                Sources:
                   Giorgio Vasari, Lives of the Artists.
                   Michelangelo: Artist and Aristocrat
                   Life and Times of Michelangelo
                     Vittoria Colonna, Marchesa di Pescara

7.    Bonus: One of the reasons Shakespeare is still read and performed today is because
       of the relevance of the themes developed in his plays.  Read Act II: Scene 4 of Measure for Measure.
       After reading the scene make an appointment to discuss the theme of the Act and its relevance
        to the actions of people in today's world.
 
 
 

World Studies II Syllabus