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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "AH 298"
COURSE NAME: "Baroque Rome and Its Monuments"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Summer Session I 2024
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Laura Foster
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: TTH 9:00 AM 12:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: On-site; activity fee: €25 or $33
OFFICE HOURS:
COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Rome City Series - Rome is the city where the baroque style originated and flourished, and this on-site course focuses on some of the most significant works of art, architecture, and urban planning of the 17th-18th centuries. The course will discuss the works of artists and architects like Caravaggio, Artemisia Gentileschi, Gian Lorenzo Bernini, Francesco Borromini, and Pietro da Cortona. From Villa Borghese to the Trevi Fountain the artworks and urban spaces will provide an opportunity to discuss aspects like Baroque illusionism, artistic techniques, influential art theories, and the religious and political contexts of art production and collection in this dynamic and vibrant period.

Satisfies "the Early Modern World" core course requirement for Art History majors
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
Students will be immersed in the cultural, political and religious environment of Baroque Rome through direct engagement with painting, sculpture, and architecture. The course will introduce core art historical concepts and terminology, including many Italian ones, through readings and on-site discussion of works. Major themes treated in lectures include the relationship between artists and their patrons; experimentation with media to produce new visual effects; and the increasing interrelation of different media that created new environments within the churches, palaces, and urban spaces of Rome. There will be close study of major works by Caravaggio, Bernini and Borromini, as well as the opportunity to explore lesser-known artists and works.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Students will gain from this course:

•the methodological tools for interpreting painting and sculpture through formal and contextual analysis, gained through reading a variety of art historical texts and first-hand examination of artworks.

•the ability to discuss the formal quality of buildings and urban spaces using appropriate architectural terminology

•an understanding of the Baroque period from both aesthetic and historical perspectives grounded in the context of Rome as papal capital

•familiarity with some of the most important artists working in the period, and the means of identifying their works.
TEXTBOOK:
NONE
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberComments
Art and Architecture in Italy in Italy, 3 VolsRudolf WittkowerYale University Press9780300079418N6916 .W5 1999 

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Attendance and Class ParticipationStudents will be evaluated on their engagement with the materials through the discussion of works on site. Students should demonstrate each class that they have read and understood the assigned readings and materials. 10%
Class PresentationStudents will be assigned a specific topic on which to report to the class in front of a work of art or architecture. The topic may be to explain a mythological story, an aspect of biblical narrative, the life of a saint, or a specific historical event that bears upon the creation of a monument. Specific instructions on how to approach the topics will be provided. 20%
Writing Assignment: Baroque Art in ContextThis short paper of approximately 4 pages will demonstrate the student’s ability to examine a work first-hand using the appropriate art historical terminology and to use research material to aid in understanding the work’s context, both in terms of setting and patronage. 30%
Final ExaminationThe exam will be composed of slide identifications, a slide comparison, and two essays with questions based upon focus monuments of the course. 40%

-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:

Rome City Series - Rome is the city where the baroque style originated and flourished, and this on-site course focuses on some of the most significant works of art, architecture, and urban planning of the 17th-18th centuries. The course will discuss the works of artists and architects like Caravaggio, Artemisia Gentileschi, Gian Lorenzo Bernini, Francesco Borromini, and Pietro da Cortona. From Villa Borghese to the Trevi Fountain the artworks and urban spaces will provide an opportunity to discuss aspects like Baroque illusionism, artistic techniques, influential art theories, and the religious and political contexts of art production and collection in this dynamic and vibrant period.

Satisfies "the Early Modern World" core course requirement for Art History majors
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

Note: The schedule is subject to change. A complete syllabus with assigned readings and other instructions will be provided on Moodle for registered students on the first day of class.

Tuesday, May 21         Classroom: Course introduction and overview of syllabus

                                     Site walk: Rome in the Era of the Catholic Reformation                         

Itinerary                      Palazzo Farnese, Jewish Ghetto, Campidoglio, Church of Il Gesù

Thursday, May 23        Renewal and Revelation: The Imprint of Pope Sixtus V upon Rome

Itinerary                       Basilica of S. Giovanni in Laterano and Lateran Palace; Basilica of S. Maria Maggiore         

Tuesday, May 28          Approaches to painting between 1580-1640: Subjects, styles, contexts

Itinerary                       Galleria Doria Pamphili; Churches of S. Andrea della Valle and S. Luigi dei Francesi

Thursday, May 30        The Art of Collecting: Cardinal Scipione Borghese and his Villa

Itinerary                       Galleria Borghese (9:00 appointment)

Tuesday, June 4          The Completion and Decoration of St. Peter’s Basilica

Itinerary                       St. Peter’s Basilica

Thursday, June 6         Anatomy of a Palace: The Barberini Family Residence

Itinerary                       Palazzo Barberini: architecture of the palace and visit of painting galleries

Tuesday, June 11        Extraordinary Visions: Religious Orders and their Churches

Itinerary                       Churches of S. Maria della Vittoria, S. Carlo alle Quattro Fontane, S. Andrea al Quirinale

Meeting Place              In front of Church of S. Maria della Vittoria

Thursday, June 13       The City as Theater: Architecture, Sculpture and the Transformation of Urban Space

Itinerary                       Piazza Navona, S. Maria della Pace, S. Ivo alla Sapienza, S. Ignazio

Tuesday, June 18        The City as Theater II: Spectacle and Display

Itinerary                       Piazza del Popolo, Spanish Steps, Palazzo di Montecitorio, Fontana di Trevi

Thursday, June 20       Restoration, Social and Spiritual: Works of the Early 18th Century, followed by Final Exam Review

Itinerary                       Palazzo Corsini; Churches of S. Maria in Trastevere, S. Cecilia, S. Francesco a Ripa