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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "AH 611"
COURSE NAME: "Ancient Roman and Mediterranean Mural Painting"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Spring 2018
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Crispin Corrado
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
T1:30 PM 4:15 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS:
45
CREDITS:
PREREQUISITES:
Course Type: Topics-Ancient
OFFICE HOURS:
by appointment
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COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course examines mural painting in the Greek and Roman world, from the Aegean Bronze Age to Late Antiquity. The range of subjects depicted within these paintings is vast and includes mythological themes, portraits, scenes of ritual, historical moments, religious scenes, landscapes, seascapes and cityscapes, garden views, the still life, and scenes of everyday life. Together we will study the cultures that created and enjoyed these works, in an effort to understand the paintings' social and cultural contexts, as well as their roles in society, the ideals and values that they represented, and the manner in which they were received. The course also investigates the relationship between the cultures represented, in order to recognize and comprehend practices of continuity and emulation. We will apply formal analysis to aspects such as iconography, technique, and representation of space and style for each painting studied, and, in each case, we will also consider architectural context and the intended experience of the viewer. To augment our understanding of this ancient artistic medium, we will study, as well, the pertinent ancient sources, whose written passages offer information about everything from technical processes to criteria for choosing certain colors or images. The course will also provide a history of the rediscovery of the important examples studied, as well as a review of scholarly research, to date. The course is taught with a combination of class lectures and visits to the relevant museums and archaeological sites.
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SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
This course is held with class sessions both in
the classroom, and on-site. Together we will discuss the ancient medium of
fresco, study the ancient cultures that created and appreciated this art form
(and their literature on the medium), and examine individual examples. We will
also discuss rediscovery and study of these paintings, as we review scholarship
in the field. A very important part of the course will be seeing firsthand as
many of these paintings as possible. Thus, we will visit museums and sites in
Rome. We will also take a study trip to the Bay of Naples area, in order to
visit the sites and museums that house some of the most important examples of
mural painting, many of them in situ.
The course offers, too, an optional trip to visit examples a bit further
afield, including those from the Minoan palaces in Crete, Santorini (ancient
Akrotiri), and Athens (the National Archaeological Museum).
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LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Students will become experts on mural painting in the
ancient Mediterranean, with a precise and detailed knowledge of the entire
corpus of extant examples (and where they are located in the world today), as
well as the cultures that created them, and the relationship between those
cultures. In addition, students will learn the ancient methods of creating
fresco paintings, and they will be knowledgeable about the ancient literary
sources that provide insight on the technique. Students will also be familiar
with and have read critically the most significant scholarly contributions to
the study of ancient mural paintings, which will allow them to understand the
state of scholarship in this field, as well as the areas where there is still work
to be done. Student work will be presented in class on two occasions, which
will aid students in the art of presenting their work and help hone their
communication skills, while also allowing them to benefit from feedback and
suggestions from their peers, as they continue their work. The written assignment
will help improve research skills, and will allow them to conduct original work
in this vibrant area.
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TEXTBOOK:
| Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments | Format | Local Bookstore | Online Purchase |
| Roman Painting | Roger Ling | Cambridge University Press | 978-0521315951 | | | | | |
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
| Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments |
| Aegean Painting in the Bronze Age | Sara Immerwahr | Pennsylvania University Press | 978-0271006284 | | |
| The Cambridge History of Painting in the Classical World | J. J. Pollitt (ed.) | Cambridge University Press | 978-0521865913 | | |
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
| Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments |
| The Art of Rome c. 753 BC - 337 AD: Sources and Documents | J. J. Pollitt | Cambridge University Press | 978-0521273657 | | |
| The Art of Ancient Greece: Sources and Documents | J. J. Pollitt | Cambridge University Press | 978-0521273664 | | |
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
| Quizzes | There will be five announced quizzes on assigned readings. | 15% |
| Midterm Exam | There will be a short examination midway through the semester, testing on materials covered (readings, lectures, and mural painting examples seen and discussed), to that point. | 15% |
| Phase 1 Presentation | Students are asked to give a short presentation on the topic chosen for their research project. This should be a 15-minute presentation, introducing the culture that produced the mural(s), the artwork(s) proper and the specific question(s) about the artwork(s) the student will be investigating, current scholarship, and plans for research. | 10% |
| Phase 1 Write-Up | Students will turn in a two-page write up of their research project topic, including discussion of the items outlined above. An annotated bibliography of 10 academic sources should accompany this write-up. | 15% |
| Final Presentation | Students will present the final results of their research projects in class. Presentations should be full and complete, with images and optional handouts. Presentations will be between 45 minutes and one hour, in length. | 20% |
| Final Research Paper | Students will turn in a final version of their research project. Papers should be 20 - 30 pages in length (double-spaced with 1-inch margins, with 10- or 12-point font size) with a cover sheet, images section, and a correctly formatted, full bibliography. Citations should be made in the form of footnotes according to MLA or Chicago Manual of Style guidelines. This paper should be the result of original research, and should be of publishable quality, in form and in substance. | 25% |
-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course.
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS AND EXAMINATION POLICY
One unexcused absence is permitted. Punctuality
is essential; three late arrivals will count as one unexcused absence. You cannot make-up a major exam (midterm or final) without the permission of the Dean’s Office. The Dean’s Office will grant such permission only when the absence was caused by a serious impediment, such as a documented illness, hospitalization or death in the immediate family (in which you must attend the funeral) or other situations of similar gravity. Absences due to other meaningful conflicts, such as job interviews, family celebrations, travel difficulties, student misunderstandings or personal convenience, will not be excused. Students who will be absent from a major exam must notify the Dean’s Office prior to that exam. Absences from class due to the observance of a religious holiday will normally be excused. Individual students who will have to miss class to observe a religious holiday should notify the instructor by the end of the Add/Drop period to make prior arrangements for making up any work that will be missed.
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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.
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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.
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SCHEDULE
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Week
1, Jan. 16
Introduction to the Course
Overview
of Rediscovery and Scholarship on Ancient Wall or Mural Paintings
The
Ancient Sources
Fresco
Painting: The Technique
Week 2, Jan. 23
Roman Wall Painting - The Four Styles
Week 3, Jan. 30
Quiz 1
Roman
Wall Painting - Special Aspects and Examples
Still
Life
Sacral-Idyllic
Landscapes
Portraits
Greek
Myths
Daily
Life Scenes
History
and Legend
The
"Zebra Stripe" Design
Friday,
February 2
Site Visits:
Houses of Augustus and Livia, and the House of the Griffins on the Palatine Hill
Palatine Hill Museum
Saturday, February 3
Site Visit:
Domus Aurea
Sunday,
February 4 (first Sunday of the month)
ACEA Montemartini Museum - Students visit independently
Week
4, Feb. 6
Workshop on Fresco Painting
Week 5, Feb. 13
Quiz
2
Turn
in Research Project Topics
The Roman Domus
Roman Wall Painting - Examples in Rome
Week 6, Feb. 20
Site
Visits:
Auditorium of Maecenas
Palazzo
Massimo Museum
Sunday, February 25 (last Sunday of the month)
Vatican Museums - Aldo Brandini Wedding Room - Students visit independently
Week
7, Feb. 27
Quiz
3
Etruscan Tomb Painting
Macedonian Tomb Painting and the Tomb of Persephone
at Vergina
Paintings from Paestum
Saturday,
March 3: Course Trip to Tarquinia (Required)
Week 8, March 6
Midterm
Exam
Roman Wall Painting - Examples in the Bay of Naples
March 9 - 11: Course Trip to Bay of Naples (Required)
Week 9, March 13
Phase I of Research Papers Due
Project Presentations I (15 minutes each)
Week 10, March 20
Quiz
4
Bronze Age Aegean I
Week
11, March 27
Quiz
5
Bronze Age Aegean II
March
29 - April 4: Optional Course Trip to Greece
Week
12, April 10
No
Class - Optional Individual Meetings for Final Project
Readings on Roman Wall
Painting Further Afield, and Influence of Roman Wall Painting on
Later Art in Rome
Week 13, April 17
Final Project Presentations
Week
14, April 24
All Final Papers Due
Final
Project Presentations
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