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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "AH 260ii"
COURSE NAME: "Byzantine Art"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2024
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Nicole Constantina Paxton
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: TTH 10:00 AM 11:15 AM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Partially on-site; mandatory trip to Ravenna; activity fee: €25 or $33
OFFICE HOURS:
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course investigates the art and architecture of the Byzantine (Eastern Roman) Empire from the time of Constantinople’s foundation as the “New Rome” in 330 until its fall to the Ottomans in 1453. The course introduces key works in a variety of media, from monumental mosaics and frescoes to portable icons, illuminated manuscripts, metal- and enamelwork, and textiles. Special emphasis is placed on cross-cultural interactions across the medieval Mediterranean from western Europe to the Islamic world. A trip to Ravenna is an essential part of the course.

Satisfies "the Medieval World" core course requirement for Art History majors
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

Proceeding chronologically, this course takes a long view of the art and architecture produced within and around the Byzantine Empire. We begin with the nascence of the earliest Christian art in the second and third centuries, followed by an examination of the Early Byzantine period, from the transference of the Roman Empire’s capital to Constantinople (present-day Istanbul) in 330 to the eighth century. Attention is given to the Iconoclastic controversies of the 700s and 800s before turning to the flourishing of art and architecture in the Middle Byzantine period (843– 1204). We will consider the political fragmentation of the empire caused by the Fourth Crusade, during which Constantinople fell under Latin rule from 1204–61. Following this period of rupture, we consider shifts in artistic production in Late Byzantium through the empire’s final fall to the Ottomans in 1453. We conclude with an exploration of the afterlives and echoes of Byzantium.

 

Topics and themes to be addressed include: the transition from ancient Roman artistic traditions to the visual culture of early Christianity; theories of the icon and the iconoclast controversies; the cult of the saints, relics, and pilgrimage; intertwined ideas of religiosity and secularism; and the dual concepts of continuity and innovation; notions of empire and the politics of the visual. Group discussions will focus on visual analysis and critical readings of primary textual material.

 

Course requires an excursion to Ravenna, est. cost per student €25 plus travel.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Upon successful completion of this course, students will:
- Recognize key works of Byzantine art and architecture.
- Analyze the visual material within its social and historical contexts.
- Acquire an understanding of the chronology of important historical events related to the Byzantine Empire.
- Demonstrate awareness of significant primary source texts.
- Evaluate secondary literature critically and individuate various scholarly approaches.
- Identify and interpret key themes, and how these relate to individual works of art.
- Cultivate oral communication skills by discussing art in situ and within 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 words 15%
Midterm ExamThree compare & contrast essays20%
Research Paper Proposal250–500 words & provisional bibliography 5%
Research PaperThesis-driven research project ~2000 words, exclusive of footnotes 25%
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

Provisional Schedule:

Week 1

[9/3] 1. Introduction & Course Overview. What is “Byzantium”?

[9/5] 2. Problems of Representation: The Earliest Christian Art

 

Week 2

[9/10] 3. Between Polytheism & the Christian God: Religious Identity in Constantine’s Rome

[9/12] 4. Constantinople: A New Roman Capital / Mosaics & Narrativity in Early Christian Rome

[9/13] 5. Mosaics & Narrativity in Early Christian Rome cont. (Friday visit to Mausoleo di Santa Costanza/Sant’Agnese Fuori le Mura)

 

Week 3

[9/17] 6. Building Empire: Justinian’s Patronage & the Basilica Across the Mediterranean

[9/19] 7. The Cult of the Saints: Relics, Pilgrimage, and the Icon

[9/21] 8. Class Excursion to Ravenna (Saturday visit)

 

Week 4

[9/24] 9. Iconoclasm & Its Aftermath

[9/26] 10. Continuity or Revival? Art Historical Methodologies & the Macedonian “Renaissance”

 

Week 5

[10/1] 11. An Image of the Cosmos: The Middle Byzantine Church

[10/3] 12. The Visual Culture of Monasticism in the Middle Byzantine Period

 

Week 6

[10/8] 13. The Imperial Image in the Middle Byzantine Period

[10/10] 14. Mid-term Exam Review

 

Week 7

[10/15] 15. Mid-term Exam

[10/17] 16. Research Paper Workshop

 

Week 8

[10/22] No Class Meeting

[10/24] 17. Cross-Cultural Encounters: Medieval Sicily

 

Week 9

[10/29] 18. The Fourth Crusade & The Latin Kingdom of Constantinople

[10/31] 19. An Empire in Exile

 

Week 10

[11/5] 20. Constantinople Redux: Women’s Patronage in Later Byzantium

[11/7] 21. Constantinople Redux: Intellectual Life & the Later Byzantine Monastery

 

Week 11

[11/12] 22. Cross-Cultural Encounters: Medieval Serbia

[11/14] 23. Constantinople’s Fall to Mehmet II (1453) / Ottoman Istanbul

 

Week 12

[11/19] 24. Art & Diplomacy: Byzantine Objects in Renaissance Italy

[11/21] 25. Transformations and Hybridities: The Icon in Venice & Venetian Crete

 

Week 13

[11/26] 26. The Art of Domenikos Theotokopoulos/El Greco

[11/28] No Class – Thanksgiving Break

 

Week 14

[12/3] 27. Byzantium’s Afterlives

[12/5] 28. Final Exam Review

Final Exam