Before instruction: Have the students read these two papers:
Mukerji (2003): This published, peer-reviewed paper provides the theoretical framework to understand how engineering projects can imbue certain places with power. The ramifications of these projects on society are explored in detail for a couple of cases.
Fehleison (2023): This narrative was created specifically for use in this module and contains the necessary historical background for the students to situate themselves in Renaissance era Florence.
(Please check with your library for access!)
During instruction: I personally like to play a song in the pre-class period1, and my suggestion is “Holy Ground (Taylor’s Version)” from the “Red (Taylor’s Version)” album by Taylor Swift, released in 2021 by Universal Records. This lesson is meant to be delivered as an interactive lecture using both the provided Power Point presentation and board notes. The board notes have been colour-coded for reproduction on a whiteboard or blackboard and are meant to be reproduced in colour (the scheme used need not be the same as the one provided but should be internally consistent). The top section contains the headings for the board notes, and the bottom section are notes for the instructor, so only the middle section is written on the board. The bullet points are meant to stimulate discussion between the instructor and the students. The accompanying slide deck provides audio-visual materials to enrich the lecture as well as a small in-class writing exercise that can be used as a quick and informal assessment, to stimulate discussion, to track attendance, or a combination thereof.
After instruction: There are no deliverables from the students for the next lesson, but the students are invited to continue their exploration of Florence by further engaging with the resources listed in the narrative, or through their own avenues.