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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "AH 363"
COURSE NAME: "Barbarians, Monks and Kings: Early Medieval Art and Architecture"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring Semester 2012
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Yawn Lila
HOURS: MW 13:00-14:15
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisite: One previous course in Art History or permission of the instructor. Partially on-site, possible activity fee.
OFFICE HOURS: By appointment

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
See summary of course content.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
This research-oriented course examines the impact of the Celtic and 'Barbarian,' or Migratory, peoples (Goths, Vandals, Longobards, Franks, Anglo-Saxons, etc.) on the art, architecture, urban spaces, and landscapes of Western and Central Europe from Late Antiquity (300s-500s) to the rise of a new Roman Empire under the leadership of the Franks and their successors (800s-1000s).   Its special foci are the arts of monasteries and courts (ducal, royal, papal); the material culture of everyday life (jewelry, clothing, weapons); interactions with neighboring Islamic and Byzantine cultures; and media considered 'minor' since the Renaissance but highly valued in the Middle Ages: manuscript illumination and calligraphy, metalwork and gems, weaving, and embroidery, and the performances (coronations, liturgies, funerals) that much material art was made to accompany.   Course format: lectures by the professor (most Mondays); discussion of readings (most Wednesdays); and student presentations, especially in the latter half of the term.   The course includes some practical components--a chance to try working in some early medieval media for purposes of study (no artistic experience or talent are required)--as well as a mandatory field trip on Friday, March 30th, to visit some very beautiful but little-known early medieval sites in northern Latium and southern Umbria (approximate cost: 40 euros; provisional itinerary: Tempietto del Clitunno, S. Salvatore near Spoleto, S. Pietro in Valle near Ferentillo; possibly the Abbey of Farfa).
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Our aims during the term will be:

° To explore current scholarly ideas about early medieval art and to identify the most compelling alternatives to problem notions, e.g. tribal identity (ancient Roman categorization of non-Roman peoples); technological, social, and economic decline leading to a material-cultural 'dark age'

° To evaluate medieval aesthetics and formal-material value systems through careful visual observation, the physical experience of early medieval spaces, and directed readings, including of primary literature

° To develop and present an advanced research project, solo or in small groups, on the material-visual culture of a particular geographic area or people (self-identified or other-identified).  The class will decide the format(s) of presentation:  oral, digital, an early medieval 'fair' toward the end of the term, etc.
TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
Early Medieval ArtNees, LawrenceOxford University Press0192842439     
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
ProfessionalismPreparation, participation, punctuality, initiative, engagement, curiosity, productivity of ideas, independent site and museum visits, facilitation of discussion, creative contributions over and above the basic course requirements.  This component may also include other assignments that the instructor reserves the right to institute during the term (e.g. required written summaries of readings) in service of the class dynamic.25
Research ProjectBibliography & content summaries, submitted in multiple rounds.  Research diary, including visual documentation. Practical or contemporary (medievalism) component (e.g. sample of work in a medieval medium; photo-essay; film or literary anthology and analysis). Final presentation, format to be determined by class and/or group40
Midterm examinationIn-class, closed-book exam (1 hr. 15 min.) consisting of slide identifications, slide commentaries, essay15
Final examinationIn-class, closed-book exam (2 hrs. 15 mins.) consisting of slide identifications, slide commentaries, essay20

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
 Grade Scale

A 100-94 B 86-83 C 74-70

A- 93-90 B- 82-80 D 69-60

B+ 89-87 C+ 79-75 F 59-0

 


-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Attendance at all class meetings is mandatory.  Course progress and evaluations will depend heavily upon active participation.  The course functions as a seminar and so its content is largely student generated.  Absences from each 1 hr. 15 min. session will detract automatically from the final course by one deduction in the grade scale (e.g. from A- to B+) per absence beyond two.  Three late arrivals or one arrival more than ten minutes into the class period equals an absence.  Special longer sessions (e.g. field trip) equal multiple class sessions.  Absences or late arrivals due to medical or other emergencies must be excused through the JCU Dean’s Office.

If you have a mobile phone, please turn it off at the start of each class meeting and do not turn it on again until class has ended.  If you use a mobile phone during class, including for sms messaging, you will be asked to leave the class, with a resulting unexcused absence.  The same holds for computers, except on those occasions when the instructor authorizes their use.



ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.
STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.

SCHEDULE

CLS

DATES

THEME

TO READ/PREPARE FOR THIS CLASS MEETING (subject to change)

ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDED READINGS (Honors students: choose three to prepare during the term, in addition to basic readings)

1a

Mon., Jan. 16

The Roman Language of Art

Nees, Intro. & Ch. 1

 

1b

Wed., Jan. 18

Darkness

T. Mommsen, "Petrarch's conception of the 'Dark Ages'," Speculum 17 (1942), 226-242.

 

2a

Mon., Jan. 23

The Earliest Christian Art

Nees Ch. 2

 

2b

Wed., Jan. 25

Bodies

 J. Osborne, "The Roman Catacombs in the Middle Ages," Papers of the British School at Rome 53 (1985), pp. 278-328

H. Belting, Likeness and Presence:  A History of the Image beforethe Era of Art, 1990, introduction and Ch. 3.

3a

Mon., Jan. 30

Conversion

Nees, Ch. 3

 

3b

Wed., Feb. 1

Performance

M. Helms, "Before the Dawn. Monks and the Night in Late Antiquity and Early Medieval Europe," Anthropos, Bd. 9/1 (2004), 177-191

Hans Teitler, "Raising on a Shield: Origin and Afterlife of a Coronation Ceremony," International Journal of the Classical Tradition, 8/4 (2002), 501- 521; OR Howard L. Adelson, "The Holy Lance and the Hereditary German Monarchy," The Art Bulletin,  48/ 2 (1966), 177-192 OR R. Deshman, "Otto III and the Warmund Sacramentary: A Study in Political Theology," Zeitschrift für Kunstgeschichte, 34/1 (1971), 1-20

4a

Fri., Feb. 3

Art for Aristocrats

Nees, Ch. 4

 

4b

Mon., Feb. 6

Ornament

 M. Hardt, "Royal Treasures and Representation in The Early Middle Ages," in W. Pohl & H. Reimitz, eds. Strategies of Distinction:  The Constructon of Ethnic Communities 300-800, Boston, 1998, 255-80;

P. Wells, Barbarians to Angels:  The Dark Ages Reconsidered, New York/London, 2008, pp. 142-69, 212-213; M. Hardt, "Royal Treasures and Representation in The Early Middle Ages," in W. Pohl & H. Reimitz, eds. Strategies of Distinction:  The Constructon of Ethnic Communities 300-800, Boston, 1998, 255-80; F. Curta, "Female Dress and 'Slavic' Bow Fibulae in Greece," Hesperia 74 (2005),  101-146 OR J. Osborne, "Textiles and Their Painted Imitations in Early Medieval Rome," Papers of the British School at Rome 60 (1992), 309-351

5a

Wed., Feb. 8

Endings and Beginnings

Nees, Ch. 5

 

5b

Mon., Feb. 13

Earth & Water

P. Squatriti, "Offa's Dyke between Nature and Cuture," Environmental History 9 (2004), 37-56

R. Coates-Stephens, "The Walls and Aqueducts of Rome in the Early Middle Ages, A.D. 500-1000," The Journal of Roman Studies, 88, (1998), 166-178; P. Squatriti, "Digging Ditches in Early Medieval Europe," Past and Present 176 (2002), 11-65.

6a

Wed., Feb. 15

Craftsmanship and Artistry

Nees, Ch. 6

 

6b

Mon., Feb. 20

Place

D. Trout, "Theodelinda's Rome: 'Ampullae', 'Pittacia', and the Image of the City," Memoirs of the American Academy in Rome 50 (2005), 131-150; M. Finch, "The Cantharus and Pigna at Old St. Peter's" Gesta Vol. 30/1 (1991), 16-26

C. Hahn, "Narrative on the Golden Altar of Sant'Ambrogio in Milan: Presentation and Reception" Dumbarton Oaks Papers  53 (199?), 167-87; C. Hahn, "Seeing and Believing: The Construction of Sanctity in Early-Medieval Saints' Shrines," Speculum 72/4 (1997), 1079-1106.

7a

Wed., Feb. 22

Saints and Holy Places

Nees, Ch. 7

 

7b

Mon., Feb. 27

Writing

Erik Thunø, "Inscription and divine presence: golden letters in the early medieval apse mosaic," Word & Image, 27 (2011), 279-291.

R. Coates-Stephens, "Epigraphy as Spolia - The Reuse of Inscriptions in Early Medieval Buildings," Papers of the British School at Rome 70 (2002), 275-296; L. Nees, "On Carolingian Book Painters: The Ottoboni Gospels and Its Transfiguration Master," The Art Bulletin  83/2 (2001), 209-239.

8a

Wed., Feb. 29

Holy Images

Nees, Ch. 8; H. Belting, Likeness and Presence, Ch. 4.

 

Mar. 5, 7,9 - No class meeting (make.up day for field trip)

 

8b

Mon., Mar. 12

Midterm exam

 

 

9a

Wed., Mar. 14

Word and Image

Nees, Ch. 9; and TBA

 

 

Mar. 19-23

Spring break

 

 

9b

Mon. Mar. 26

Art at Court

Nees, Ch. 10; and TBA

 

10a

Wed., Mar. 28

Research presentations

Readings to be selected/assigned by students

Readings to be selected/assigned by students

10b-11a-11b-12a

Fri., Mar. 30

FIELD TRIP:  Early Medieval Architecture and incastellamento in Umbria:  Tempietto del Clitunno, S. Salvatore at Spoleto, S. Pietro in Valle & the Valnerina

H. Torp, Il Tempietto Longobardo, La cappella palatina di Cividale (Engl. Trans.), 2006 OR J. Emerick,  (Chs. I, X, & pp. 421-423) OR C. McClendon, "An Early Funerary Portrait from the Medieval Abbey at Farfa," Gesta 22/ 1 (1983), 13-26.

 

12b

Mon., Apr. 2

Expressive and Didactic Images

Nees, Ch. 11

 

13a

Wed., Apr. 4

Research presentations

Readings to be selected/assigned by students

Readings to be selected/assigned by students

Mon., Apr. 9 -Pasquetta (no class meeting)

 

13b

Wed., Apr. 11

Toward a New Age

Nees, Ch. 12

 

14a

Mon., Apr. 16

Research presentations

Readings to be selected/assigned by students

Readings to be selected/assigned by students

14b

Mon., Apr. 23

Summing up

Devise sample essay questions for final exam

 

Wed., Apr. 25 - La Liberazione (no class meeting)

 

Exams week, Apr. 28-May 4