Bookworms, book-learning, bookishness. It’s a commonplace that books make us smarter, but did you know that these expressions originated in the age of Shakespeare? This course will explore the first great book culture in England – the Renaissance – from Montaigne’s historic translation into English in 1603 through the revolutionary poetry and prose of Milton, on the eve of Civil War. Along the way, we will encounter themes of travel and exploration, the rise of newspapers and the revolution of print, bookish depression and melancholy, and darker themes of sex, violence, and political unrest. Class will meet in the university’s Special Collections department, and will involve frequent hands-on experience with rare books. In addition to regular writing assignments, participants will contribute to two special projects: a student-edited anthology of poems and a student-curated exhibit of early printed materials at Allen Library.