Of Cobblestones and Coffeehouses: The History of Urban Life, 1500-1800 In this seminar we will explore the diverse forms of urban life that emerged in Europe between 1500 and 1800. Early modern cities became engines of global commerce, laboratories of public health and policing, and sites of civic and religious unrest. Moving from the street to markets, apothecaries, and coffeehouses, we reconstruct everyday urban experiences through close reading of primary sources alongside critical scholarship. Texts by travelers, reformers, and city officials, together with visual and material culture, invite us to analyze commerce, sexuality, festivals, and waste management. Through discussion, writing, and research, students develop skills in historical argument evidence-based analysis, and scholarly communication.

The Civilization of Early Modern Europe In this course we will gain a broad understanding of early modern European history, focusing on the period from c. 1350 to 1800. Through lectures and discussions, we will examine how modern European society’s foundations were established. We will critically engage with primary and secondary sources to explore significant changes and key continuities in Europe’s political, social, economic, intellectual, religious, and cultural spheres. Topics include the revival of classical ideals and their impact on art, education, politics, law, science, and gender relations. We will also investigate how new ideas sparked knowledge production, fueled conflicts, and shaped the modern state and therefore gain insight into the forces that continue to influence contemporary European identity. There are no prerequisites. Pre-1800 3 hr lect/disc.

The Scientific Revolution: Fact or Fiction? In this course we will explore the major changes in understanding the cosmos, body, and natural world across Western Europe between roughly 1500 and 1800. Encounters with new lands and ideas fueled a significant shift in how the universe was perceived. While traditionally called the "Scientific Revolution," this concept is now debated. We will meet key figures, both well-known like Copernicus and lesser-known like Aldrovandi, who adopted new approaches and incorporated novel ideas into their work. Through lectures and discussions of primary and secondary sources, we will examine how these individuals and European society rethought their fundamental knowledge. Each week we will delve into topics such as astronomy, natural history, dissection, and electricity. By investigating these histories, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of early modern studies within various intellectual, religious, and socio-cultural contexts. By the end of this course students will understand the complexities of the Scientific Revolution and its lasting influence on contemporary scientific thought. Counts for HSMT credit.

From Plow to Pixel: The History of Technology In this course student will explore the history of technology, from medieval agriculture to modern digital systems, through classic and recent scholarship. We will examine fundamental questions that have shaped the field, such as: What is "technology"? How do we navigate the debates between technological determinism and the social construction of technology? And what politics are embedded within technological artifacts? Through diverse case studies like automobiles, plastics, and bicycles, we will unpack the ideologies of innovation, explore technology's environmental and gendered impacts, and analyze its intricate relationship with social status. By the end of this course, students will have a comprehensive understanding of the dynamic interplay between technology and the human experience. Counts for HSMT credit.

Early Modern Bodies: Sex and Gender in Europe Do men and women share the same historical experiences? When do their paths align, and when do they diverge? What accounts for these differences? In this course, we will explore the physical and cultural constructions of gender and sexuality in Europe, c. 1350–1800, through a variety of topics, including the life cycle, midwifery, heterosexual marriage, homoerotic desire, same-sex practice, cross-gender identification and performance, hermaphroditism, and the “monstrous” body. Each week, we will discover how transformations in natural philosophy, religious belief, scientific experimentation, art and literature, and medical practice shaped—and were reshaped by—ideas of the body and sexual difference. We will engage with a variety of sources, ranging from anatomical illustrations and poetry to medical treatises and birth salvers, to uncover how gender norms influenced power structures and personal identity within hierarchical systems. Counts for HSMT credit.

Jennifer Strtak

Reviews and ratings for Jennifer Strtak at Middlebury College.Jennifer Strtak teaches The History of Urban Life, Early Modern Euro Civ, The Scientific Revolution and more.  Explore top rated instructors and find the best for you.Is Jennifer Strtak good ? Find out on MiddCourses.

This course is predominately lectures and weekly reading. There are a couple major writing assignments which can be graded a bit harshly, but if you give yourself enough time beforehand and go to office hours it is very manageable. Professor Strtak is very passionate about the topics she teaches and it shows through her lectures. 

I loved the way Professor Strtak engaged with the material, particularly how she pivoted between two different topics during lecture. She was always engaging and demonstrated a passion for the material in students. 

Prof Strtak is so fantastic. she's clearly very knowledgable about the time period and is an interesting discussion leader. This whole course was in the discussion format so it was a very cool way to learn the information.