Final answer:
The literary movement described is humanism, a Renaissance movement focusing on classical studies to improve the human condition and society. Humanists wrote in both classical languages and the vernacular, helping to develop modern languages and literature.
Step-by-step explanation:
The literary movement described in the student's question is humanism. This cultural and intellectual movement arose during the Renaissance, particularly in the city-states of northern Italy in the 15th century. Humanists focused on the study of classical cultures of Greece and Rome to understand the human condition. They believed that people could improve themselves and their societies through this study, which included areas such as grammar, rhetoric, history, poetry, and moral philosophy. An important aspect of Renaissance humanism was writing in the vernacular, which laid the groundwork for modern languages and literature while still appreciating the themes from ancient classics.
Humanism emphasized the value and dignity of human beings against the previously dominant scholastic teaching that was more utilitarian. Italian humanists like Francesco Petrarca (Petrarch) were often devout Christians and sought to understand human achievement without rejecting Christian teachings. In contrast to utilitarianism or movements like naturalism and existentialism that emerged later, humanism celebrated human potential and creativity, inherent beauty, and the capacity for self-improvement. It advocated a more secular approach to education and was fundamental in transitioning to modern thought.