Spring
2001
History of Philanthropy in the West
| Hist. 415 (C403)/Hist. 509 (C413) | |
| Time: W 5:45-8:25 p.m. | Instructor: Assoc. Prof. Kevin C. Robbins |
| Place: Cavanaugh 215 | Office: Cavanaugh 504Q |
| Office Phone: 274-5819 | |
| E-Mail: krobbin1@iupui | |
| Office Hrs: To Be Arranged |
The history of the socio-political act of philanthropy from the ancient world to
early modern times (circa 1900). "Philanthropy"
is here construed broadly to include ethical injunctions to benevolence, the
charitable acts of individuals and corporate bodies in favor of the suffering,
and concerted action by voluntary associations of all kinds to improve living
conditions through provision of schooling, health care, improved institutions of
socialization and police. Whether
and how "charity" might be distinguished from "philanthropy"
will be fundamental questions posed throughout the course.
The analysis of benevolent human practices within the ecological context
of their social, political, and cultural histories will be the sustained
objective of this course. The class
will scrutinize both the history and the historiography of
"philanthropy," what "charity" happened in past time and
what methods and sources modern historians use to write about such occurrences
and the total socio-cultural environment of giving.
Identifying "regimes" of philanthropy over time and points of
transition between such systems of benevolence will also be among our key
objectives. The instructor regards
all definitions of "charity" and "philanthropy" as open and
provisional, subject to deconstruction and revision in light of each reading
assigned. Students should firmly
put aside any and all modern definitions and preconceived notions of what “philanthropy”
can or should mean and watch for shifting meanings of this and related terms in
all course readings. An initial working definition of philanthropy for this
course (subject to constant critical evaluation and review) would be:
"Individual or collective action, imposed, incumbent, or voluntary on the
part of donors, intended to enhance public order."
Course meetings will be divided into brief lectures by the instructor and
extensive class discussion of the assigned readings. Discussions will focus on
the sources, methods of argument, and conclusions of the authors read.
READINGS: Readings for this course include five required texts on
sale at the IUPUI Bookstore (Seneca, Mollat, Davis, Cavallo, and Starobinski)
and numerous original source works to be distributed and shared in class. Please
Note: No course texts are currently on reserve in any medium at University
Library for this course. Students are also required to have their own scholarly
edition of the Bible. The Standard
Revised Edition from Oxford University Press is strongly recommended.
REQUIREMENTS: Regular class attendance (one unexcused absence will
lower your final grade); thorough completion of all reading assignments;
informed participation in all class discussions; and two papers of medium length
(8 to 10 pages) on topics assigned by the instructor and drawn from class
readings. Students enrolled
in
the course for graduate credit will prepare (in place of the second paper) a
research paper (25 pages minimum) focusing on a specific document addressing the
history of philanthropy and analyzing that document in relation to the major
themes of the course. The
instructor will provide graduate students with a sample list of such documents
including both great works of literature, philosophy, and the social sciences
(e.g. Cicero's On Duties) and original source materials (e.g. the printed
statutes of the English Poor Law). Each
graduate student is also responsible for compiling a comprehensive, annotated
bibliography on the research topic of no fewer than twenty (20) items. This collection may only include works that the graduate
student has read and will cite for factual or methodological
additions to his or her research on the primary document and its bearing on
philanthropy's history. Students
unfamiliar with the proper format of an annotated bibliography should consult
the instructor.
GRADING: First Paper 25% of final grade.
Second paper 55% of final grade. Class participation will amount to 20%
of the final grade. For graduate
students, the first paper will count for 15% of the final grade, the annotated
bibliography for 20%, the research paper for 45% of the final grade, and class
participation for 20% of the course grade.
No exams are scheduled for this course.
COURSE OUTLINE AND ASSIGNMENTS
| W Jan. 10 |
Course
Introduction. Distribution of Syllabus.
What is the history of
philanthropy? How can it be done? |
| W Jan. 17 |
Readings: Paul Veyne, Bread and Circuses, Intro. and Chapts. 1-2, pp. vii-xxii and 1-156. Discussion: Philanthropy in the Society and Politics of the Ancient Worlds. Nature of Greek Philanthropy. |
| W Jan. 24 |
Readings:
Paul Veyne, Bread and Circuses, Chapt. 3, |
| W Jan. 31 |
Readings: Seneca, Moral Essays, Vol. 3 De Beneficiis, ("On Benefits"), Books I-IV, pp. 3-289. (N.B. This is an interleaved translation with Latin and English texts on facing pages. Students are only responsible for reading the English version.) Discussion: The Moral and Political Economies of Roman Philanthropy. |
| W Feb. 7 |
Readings: Bible, Gospels of Matthew, Luke, and John, Acts of Apostles, Epistles of Paul to the Romans, 1st Epistle to the Corinthians, and 1st Epistle to Timothy. Discussion: The Indoctrination of a Christian Charitable Ethic. FIRST PAPER TOPIC TO BE DISTRIBUTED. READINGS FOR FEB. 14 TO BE DISTRIBUTED IN CLASS |
| W Feb. 14 |
Readings: Clement of Alexandria, "The Rich Man's Salvation;" St. Cyprian, "Works and Almsgiving;" and St. John Chrysostom, “A Sermon on Almsgiving.” Note: These readings to be previously distributed in class. Lecture/Discussion: The Early Medieval Reindoctrination of a Charitable Ethic and the Evolution of Christian Motives for Charity. |
| W Feb. 21 | Readings: M. Mollat, The Poor in the Middle Ages, Part I, pp. 1-53, and Part II, pp. 57-113. Lecture/Discussion: What are the Social Conditions of Medieval Europe and Why is Charity Now Necessary? FIRST PAPER DUE IN CLASS. READINGS FOR FEB. 28 TO BE DISTRIBUTED IN CLASS |
| W Feb. 28 |
Readings: R.E.F. Weissman, Ritual Brotherhood in Renaissance Florence, Preface and Chapts. 1-2, pp. ix-xii and 1-105. Lecture/Discussion: The Emotional Environment of the Renaissance City and the Psycho-Social Services of Philanthropic Organizations (especially for donors). |
| W Mar. 7 |
Readings: N. Davis, The Gift in Sixteenth-Century France, Introduction and Chapts. 107, pp. 3-132. Lecture/Discussion: The Anthropological and Socio-Cultural History of Gifts in Early Modern Europe. |
| SPRING BREAK MAR. 12-18 NO CLASS MAR. 14 | |
| W Mar. 21 |
Readings: S. Cavallo, Charity and Power in Early Modern Italy, Chapts. 1-5, pp. 1-224. Discussion: Civic Culture, Municipal Politics, and Gendered Philanthropy in the Early Modern Metropolis. |
| W Mar. 28 |
Readings: J. Starobinski, Largesse, Chapts. 1-6, pp. 1-160 and "Texts on the Gift," pp. 161-173. UNDERGRAD. SECOND PAPER TOPICS DISTRIBUTED. GRAD. ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHIES DUE. READINGS FOR APRIL 4 TO BE DISTRIBUTED IN CLASS |
| W Apr. 4 |
Readings: British 1736 Mortmain Bill and Relevant Parliamentary Debates; French Royal Mortmain Edict (1749); and Turgot, Article “Foundations” from the Encyclopaedie of Diderot (1755). Lecture/Discussion: The Vital Legal History of “Philanthropy:” Econometricians and Lawyers Out to Destroy Evil Foundations and Save the Nation. READINGS FOR APRIL 11 TO BE DISTRIBUTED IN CLASS |
| W Apr. 11 |
Readings: Donna Andrew, Philanthropy and Police: London Charity in the Eighteenth Century, Chapts. 3-6, pp. 74-196. Lecture/Discussion: The Nationalization of Philanthropy and the Politics of Modern Charitable Associations and Fund Raising in Service to the State (Donors’ Perceptions of Politics All Important.) READINGS FOR APRIL 18 TO BE DISTRIBUTED IN CLASS |
| W Apr. 18 |
Readings: Mrs. Sarah Trimmer, Oeconomy of Charity, Or An Address to Ladies (2nd Ed. 1801), (Excerpts). J.S. Mill, “Corporation and Church Property,” (1833). J.S. Mill, “Endowments,” (1869). Lecture/Discussion: English Experiments in Forming And Financing Cost-Effective Philanthropies Beneficial To Nation State and National Economy. READINGS FOR APRIL 25 TO BE DISTRIBUTED IN CLASS |
| W Apr. 25 |
Readings: C. S. Kenny, Esq., The True Principles of Legislation with Regard to Property Given For Charitable Or Other Public Uses (1880), (Excerpts). Lecture/Discussion: English Creation and State Regulation of Modern “Scientific Philanthropy”--or Charity in the Law Books. |
| W May 2 |
UNDERGRAD. SECOND PAPER DUE--GRAD. RESEARCH PAPER DUE 9:00 A.M. Cavanaugh Hall 504Q. NO EXCEPTIONS. LATE PAPERS WILL BE DESTROYED! |