Critical Essay on Giovanni and Lusanna: Love and Marriage in Renaissance Florence
Due Tuesday, October 21, 2008
You are to devise an original thesis that examines the case of Giovanni and Lusanna within the larger context of Florentine social life. Your thesis should in some way deal with the issues of marriage, social class, money, the law, and sexuality. You are encouraged (and expected) to relate the knowledge you have already acquired in this course to your reading of Brucker’s book. Do not summarize the book. You should consult Thomas Kuehn, “Reading Microhistory: The Example of Giovanni and Lusanna,” Journal of Modern History 61, 3 (1989), pp. 512-534, available in Milner or through JSTOR. I am available to talk with you about your topics during my office hours and at other times by appointment. You may also email questions to me at rclemens@ilstu.edu or by cell phone at (309) 838-9075. While you do not have to have your thesis cleared with me, it is strongly encouraged that you talk with me about it before submitting in final form. See below for instructions on naming and sending your paper.
Mechanics:
Your paper must have a clearly delineated structure, including:
1. Introduction:
Must give background information and at least one sentence that is a thesis statement (i.e. your opinion or argument).
2. Body:
Each paragraph must support your thesis statement.
3. Conclusion:
Must tie together the supporting evidence you presented in the body of your paper with the thesis statement in your introduction.
When referring to any text (either by quoting or paraphrasing), you must give the author and page number in parenthesis. You must also include a list of works cited at the end of your essay if you use any works in addition to those assigned for class. See my webpage for information on plagiarism, grammar and usage, and citation style.
Any quote more than two typed lines must be indented and single-spaced. When you indent and...