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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "AH 269"
COURSE NAME: "Medieval Venice"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2024
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Nicole Constantina Paxton
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: MW 1:30 PM 2:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS:
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Venice’s geographic location at a crossroads—between “East” and “West,” between mainland Italy and the sea—shaped a unique character for the art and culture of this city, the wider Lagoon, and the colonies of the Venetian Republic. This course concentrates on the art and architecture of medieval Venice, from the ninth to the sixteenth century. The course examines the Venetian Republic in terms of cultural interchanges with Byzantium, the Islamic world, and western Europe, and considers the construction and development of its civic identity through visual means as well as the approaches that shaped this.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

A central focus of the course is the construction of Venice’s foundation “myths” and the relationship of those claims to wider political and economic interests. The course looks critically at layers of history in the monuments and art produced during this period. Venetian art is characterized by its additive nature: for example, the Basilica of San Marco as we see it today was constructed in the eleventh century over an earlier ninth-century church, and received major interventions into the sixteenth century. As such, the course studies how individual commissions build from one another and work together to form and further specific ideals of religious and civic identity.

In considering Venice as a node of contact between western Europe, Byzantium, and the Islamic world, this course investigates these aspects of the Republic’s identity in terms of cultural exchange across the eastern Mediterranean.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Upon successful completion of this course, students will:
- Recognize key works of art and architecture in medieval Venice
- Analyze visual material within its social and historical contexts
- Understand the chronology of historical events related to medieval Venice
- Demonstrate awareness of significant primary source texts
- Evaluate secondary literature critically and individuate various scholarly approaches
- Identify and interpret key themes, and how to relate these to individual works of art
- Cultivate oral communication skills by discussing art and readings in the classroom
- Develop writing skills that include: the formation of clear arguments; effective organization and structuring of material; visual analysis; and the incorporation and evaluation of primary and secondary sources
TEXTBOOK:
NONE
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
ParticipationOn-time attendance at all class sessions; careful study of assigned readings prior to class time; contribution to discussions10%
Short Paper~750 words15%
Midterm ExamThree compare & contrast essays20%
Research Paper Proposal250–500 words & provisional bibliography5%
Research PaperThesis-driven research project ~2000 words, exclusive of footnotes25%
Final ExamThree compare & contrast essays (material from second half of semester); one essay (cumulative)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:

Absence from class
- The content of the exam assessments for this course is lecture based. As such, excessive absences and/or repeated lateness will have a negative effect on your ability to successfully study the course material.
- Make-up work is not offered for unexcused absences.
- Excused absences may be obtained either through permission of the Dean’s Office or at my discretion.
- Absences due to observance of a religious holiday will be excused. Please inform me by the end of Add/Drop period so that we can make arrangements to make up any missed work.

Absence from exams
- Major examinations (midterms, finals) may only be re-administered, or otherwise excused or accommodated, with the permission of the Dean’s Office. The standard for justifying an absence from a major examination is evidence of a serious difficulty preventing attendance.
- Students seeking an excuse for an absence from a major exam must notify their Instructor or the Dean’s Office prior to the exam, and submit the Excused Absences Request form.
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

Week 1

[9/2] 1. Introduction: Overview of Class Material and Assignments

[9/4] 2. Foundation Myths: The Translatio of Saint Mark from Alexandria to Venice

 

Week 2

[9/9] 3. Early Medieval Basilicas of the Lagoon

[9/11] 4. Basilica of San Marco: Architecture & Mosaics (832/1040s-90s/12th-13th c.)

 

Week 3

[9/16] 5. The Pala D’Oro

[9/18] 6. Venice & the Fourth Crusade: Byzantine Sculpture on Display

 

Week 4

[9/23] 7. Venice & the Fourth Crusade: Byzantine Objects in the Treasury of San Marco 

[9/25] 8. Venice & the Fourth Crusade: Byzantine Objects in the Treasury of San Marco cont.

 

Week 5

[9/30] 9. Rivals & Diplomacy: Genova

[10/2] 10. Trecento Interventions: Andrea Dandolo & the Baptistery of San Marco

 

Week 6

[10/7] 11. Trecento Intervention: The Narthex of San Marco

[10/9] 12. Paolo Veneziano & the Trecento Altarpiece

 

Week 7

[10/14] 13. Venetian Gothic Architecture

[10/16] 14. Mid-term Exam Review

 

Week 8

[10/21] 15. Mid-term Exam

[10/23] 16. Research Paper Workshop

 

Week 9

[10/28] 17. Monumental Sculpture

[10/30] 18. Monumental Gothic Altarpieces of the Quattrocento

 

Week 10

[11/4] 19. Venetian Crete & Icon Production

[11/6] 20. Cardinal Bessarion & Venice after the Fall of Constantinople

 

Week 11

[11/11] 21. Venice & the Ottomans in the Quattrocento: Bellini & Mehmet II

[11/13] 22. Venice & the Ottomans in the Cinquecento: Trade & Gift-giving

 

Week 12

[11/18] 23. Colonial Geographies: Mapping the Venetian Empire

[11/20] 24. What is a “Renaissance”?

 

Week 13

[11/25] 25. Venice & the Mamluks

[11/27] 26.  Art & Patronage: Greek Residents of Cinquecento Venice

 

Week 14

[12/2] 27.  “Orientalist” Art in Venice?

[12/4] 28. Final Exam Review

 

Final Exam