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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "AH/CL 266"
COURSE NAME: "Special Topics in Ancient Art: Materiality and Form in Greek Bronze Age Art"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Fall 2024
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Crispin Corrado
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
WM 1:30 PM 2:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS:
45
CREDITS:
3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS:
By Appointment
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COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Specialized courses offered periodically on specific aspects of the art of the ancient world. Courses are normally research-led topics on an area of current academic concern.
May be taken more than once for credit with different topics.
Satisfies "the Ancient World" core course requirement for Art History majors
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SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course is an introduction to the Cycladic, Minoan and Mycenaean/Helladic cultures of the Aegean Bronze Age, and the wider interconnected world of the Mediterranean between 3200-1100 BC. It is structured around three overarching areas of investigations: a discussion of the characteristics of each of the Aegean cultures and their relationships; investigations of artistic media and techniques, and the implications of these; and analysis of the diverse nature and implications of Mediterranean exchange and communication networks. The course has an overarching chronological format but is not a traditional survey. Instead, it uses a series of case studies to consider theoretical and conceptual issues involved in the production and use of objects and monuments in order to think critically about the role of objects as mediators of local and international relationships.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT
As an overarching approach, the course will move chronologically from the rise of Cycladic culture (at least as early as c. 3200 B.C.) to the demise of Mycenaean/Helladic and other civilizations of the area (c. 1100 B.C.). As well as investigating what constitutes the characteristics of Cycladic, Minoan and Mycenaean/Helladic cultures, the course will consider also how – and how far – the relationships between these can be assessed. Classes will combine discussions of contextual aspects and case-studies, all relating to the three overarching areas of the course.
Case-studies include specific sites with a special focus on art, architecture, and burial practices, factors shaping the inhabited environments, as well as the environmental factors shaping cultural expression. Intimately related to this, the course will also consider visual media and artistic production. An important aspect of the course is the investigation of the Aegean world in context of the wider Mediterranean, in particular Egypt, Cyprus, and the Near East. In this regard, the course will consider the Uluburun shipwreck, diplomatic relationships between the Aegean and Egypt, the role of Crete and Cyprus in economic networks, as well as trade systems and communication routes, and whether or not the movement of pottery also implies movement of peoples. The course closes with the difficult question of the motives for the end of the Bronze Age in the East Mediterranean.
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LEARNING OUTCOMES:
The course satisfies John Cabot University LOS 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, and V1, V3, V4, V6. By the end of the semester, students will have gained:
· In-depth familiarity with the material remains of the Aegean Bronze Age world (Cycladic, Minoan, and Mycenaean/Helladic) and an ability to analyze these in context
· Ability to discuss the social implications of site and settlement structures, tombs and cemeteries, as well as the spatial implications of individual palaces, homes, and monuments
· Ability to discuss - using appropriate technical terminology – the development and approaches of significant media in the visual arts (painted plaster, pottery, stone-working, metalworking etc.)
· Understanding of the diverse connections and exchanges of influence between the Aegean and wider Mediterranean world, and an ability to discuss the implications of these
· Awareness of the academic approaches of the field and the primary sites, scholars and museum collections contributing to this
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TEXTBOOK:
| Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments | Format | Local Bookstore | Online Purchase |
| The Art and Archaeology of the Aegean Bronze Age: A History | Poursat | Cambridge University Press | 978-1108471343 | | E-book available in John Cabot University's library, at link: https://jculibrary.on.worldcat.org/oclc/1322205750 | Ebook | | |
| Introduction to Aegean Art | Betancourt | INSTAP Academic | 978-1931534215 | | E-book available in JCU's library at link: https://jculibrary.on.worldcat.org/oclc/607723892 | Ebook | | |
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
| Preparation and Participation | Active participation in the class is expected. This includes punctual presence and evidence of having completed reading assignments, contribution to class discussions, willingness to share own observations, and collaborative behavior. | 10 |
| Short Quiz | The quiz concerns aspects of assigned readings and lecture topics studied in class. | 10 |
| Presentation | The presentation concerns a particular site, which should be discussed in its archaeological and Mediterranean context. Presentations should be full and complete, with images in a Powerpoint presentation and optional handouts, and should be 15-20 minutes in length. | 15 |
| Research Paper | Research topics may focus on cultural production in a single medium, or on comparisons of approaches across different media, or on the engagement with a single medium (or particular iconography) across Mediterranean cultures. Papers should be 8-10 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 the stylistic guidelines of MLA, APA, or the Chicago Manual of Style. | 20 |
| Midterm Exam | The midterm exam will include identifications, definitions, short answer discussions and essay questions. | 20 |
| Final Exam | The final exam will be cumulative, and will include identifications, definitions, short answer discussion and essay questions. | 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
Students are allowed two absences without penalty. Three tardy arrivals count as one absence. Absences above two may affect the final grade.
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. The final exam period runs until ____________
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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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N.B. Reading assignments and particular sites and case studies to be discussed per class session will appear in the final course syllabus presented to students in class.
SCHEDULE
Week 1
1 Course Introduction and Chronology, Geography and Historiography of the Bronze Age Aegean
2 The Culture of Greece in the Neolithic Age
Week 2
3 Neolithic Society and Burial Practices
4 Neolithic and Other Prehistoric Pottery
Week 3
5 Early Bronze Age Cyclades: Settlement and Burial Practices
6 A Lesson on Stone Working
Week 4
7 Early Bronze Age Cyclades: Art and Culture
8 Pre-Palatial Crete and the Dominant Cultures of the Mediterranean; Short QUIZ
Week 5
9 The Early Palaces on Crete (the Protopalatial Period)
10 The Height of Minoan Palace Culture on Crete (the Neopalatial Period)
Week 6
11 The Art of the Neopalatial Period on Crete
12 A Lesson on Fresco Painting
Week 7
13 New Kingdom Egypt
14 Minoan Crete and the Seas: A Thalassocracy?
Week 8
15 Akrotiri on Thera
16 A Lesson on Pottery; Review for the Midterm
Week 9
17 Midterm Exam
18 The Aegean and the Levant
Week 10
19 Communication, Exchange and Influence: Sea Routes
20 Mainland Greece: The Early Bronze Age & Citadel Architecture
Week 11
21 Mycenaean Culture and Palace Sites: Mycenae
22 Mycenaean Burial Practices: Shaft Graves and Beehive Tombs
Week 12
23 A Lesson in Metalworking
24 Mycenaean Art
Week 13
25 Mycenaean Culture and Palace Sites: Back to Crete! Other Palace Sites: Tyrins, Pylos, Boeotia and Athens
26 Decline and Eclipse of Bronze Age Culture in the Aegean
Review for Final Exam
Week 14
27 Student Presentations
28 Student Presentations
Week 15
FINAL EXAM
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