SC101 History of Communication

History of Communication, specifically in the Medieval and Renaissance Period

When was the Medieval Period?

400 - 1400 CE

What is the Medieval Period known as?

The Dark Ages

Who/ what was dominating during the Medieval Period?

Christian Church after the fall of the Roman Empire

How was Communication known during the Medieval period?

Pagan / Corrupt / Scarce

For what was Communication used during the Medieval period?

To develop preaching, letter writing skills, and to persuade people to Christianity

What was the status of men and women during this the Medieval Period?

Men - overseers of the church and academic inquiry
Women - largely illiterate, limited in domestic roles

What did St. Augustine suggest?

He suggested to continue developing ideas of the Classical Period.
“Worthwhile pursuit of the church”

“To move men towards the truth, the word of God.”

How did Communication studies survive in Medieval period?

It survived as one of the Seven Branches of a Liberal Education

BUT focused on theological issues.

Who revived the work of Cicero and Quintillian to persuade people to be JUST and GOOD?

Archbishop Isidore of Seville

When did the Renaissance occur?

1400 - 1600 CE

What happened during the Renaissance Period?

The church was being challenged by the government and its new ideas, questioning the church’s role in education leading to the revival of classical learning

Who is Laura Cereta?

One of the earliest feminists.

What did Laura Cereta write?

“Defense of the Liberal Instruction of Women” , a letter advocating for women’s education.

To whom did Laura Cereta respond?

Bibulus Sempronius, who praised Cereta’s intelligence but insulted women as a whole.

Who is Christine de Pisan?

Europe’s first professional women writer.

Out of 41 pieces, which of de Pisan’s work was most famous?

The Treasure of the Cities of Ladies

What topic did Petrus Ramus specifically focus on?

Style

What were the 4 points of Petrus Ramus

• Style & delivery is 1 category

• Intention and arrangement is based on logic, not rhetoric

• A good man doesn’t make him a good communicator

• Truth is not central to communication

Who opposed Petrus Ramus’ ideas?

Francis Bacon

What were the 2 points of Francis Bacon?

• The journey to truth was paramount to the study and performance of communication.

• Reason and Morality equals to a high degree in accountability, making it an essential element in oration