This course explores the intellectual and historical contexts of the Renaissance book and applies a digital humanities approach to its study, focusing on books printed in Western Europe between 1500 and 1700. Through a close examination of early and rare books, students explore three major areas in Renaissance intellectual history: 1) humanist rhetoric, politics, and literature, 2) Reformation studies, and 3) natural history, science, and medicine. Regular guest lectures sponsored by the Centre for Reformation and Renaissance Studies will introduce students to scholars from beyond the UofT; the course also involves experiential learning with digital exhibitions and rare books.