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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "AH 367"
COURSE NAME: "Special Topics in Medieval Art: The Art of the Book"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2025
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Nicole Constantina Paxton
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: TTH 1:30 PM 2:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisite: One previous course in Art History or permission of the instructor
OFFICE HOURS:
COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Specialized courses offered periodically on specific aspects of the art of the medieval 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 Medieval World" core course requirement for Art History majors
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

The course explores the art of the book in the pre-modern world. Material discussed encompasses examples from the fourth to sixteenth centuries, and ranges geographically from the North Sea to South Asia. Emphasis is given to the relationships between text, image, and the medium of the manuscript; the course interrogates the agency of the manuscript in tandem with the active participation of the reader.

 

The course centers on five main thematic sections. The first of these addresses innovative images, formats, and calligraphy in early medieval manuscripts of religious texts. A second investigates images of rulership and the political resonances of royal and imperial portraits. The third section discusses manuscripts made for the use of prayer or contemplation, and incorporates a sub-focus on gendered piety. The fourth theme concentrates on techniques of ordering information within specific genres of medieval codices that include encyclopedic works, medical manuscripts, chronicles, and romances. The course concludes with a final section that focuses on cross-cultural interactions and the book as a medium of diplomacy.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Upon successful completion of this course, students will:

- Recognize key works of medieval manuscript illumination.

- Analyse the visual material within its social and historical contexts.

- Demonstrate awareness of significant primary source texts.

- Evaluate secondary literature critically and individuate various scholarly approaches.

- Identify key themes and genres of illuminated manuscripts; interpret individual works of art in relation to these ideas.

- 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:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberComments
Meetings with remarkable manuscripts : twelve journeys into the medieval worldChristopher De Hamel Penguin Press9781594206115Z106.5.E85 D44 2017 
Understanding illuminated manuscripts : a guide to technical termsMichelle Brown The J. Paul Getty Museum9781606065785REF ND2889 .B76 2018 
Introduction to manuscript studiesRaymond Clemens Timothy GrahamCornell University Press9780801438639Z105 .C58 
Toward a global Middle Ages: encountering the world through illuminated manuscriptsBryan C KeeneThe J. Paul Getty MuseumND2900 .T69 20199781606065983 

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Short Paper750 words & bibliography10%
Midterm ExamThree short comparison essays based on works discussed in class during the first half of the semester20%
Research Paper ProposalStatement of 250–500 words & provisional annotated bibliography5%
Research Paper PresentationFormal oral presentation presenting thesis and research findings of final paper10%
Research PaperAround 2000 words (min. 1500-max. 2500) exclusive of footnotes; bibliography of 6–10 sources25%
Final ExamThree short comparison essays based on works discussed in second half of the semester one long essay based on material throughout semester25%
ParticipationActive participation is essential to students’ success in this course; this includes: 1) on-time attendance at all class sessions, 2) careful study of assigned readings prior to class time and contribution to discussions5%

-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
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 May 9.
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

[1/21] 1. Introduction & Course Overview

THEME: THE WORD OF GOD

[1/23] 2. Illuminating the Gospels I: Early Medieval Eastern Mediterranean

 

Week 2

[1/28] 3. Illuminating the Gospels II: Insular Manuscripts

[1/30] 4. Early Qur’anic Manuscripts

 

THEME: VISUALIZING RULERSHIP

Week 3

[2/4] 5. Royalty & the Realm of the North Sea

[2/6] 6. Patronage & Presence in Carolingian & Ottonian Manuscripts

 

Week 4

[2/11] 7. Portraits & Politics in the Middle Byzantine Empire

[2/13] ]8. Portraits & Politics in Medieval Ethiopia

 

THEME: PRAYER & MEDITATION

Week 5

[2/18] 9. Personal Piety: Books of Hours

[2/20] 10. Gendered Viewing?: Female Monasticism & Mysticism

 

Week 6

[2/25] 11. Holy Bodies: Lives of the Saints

[2/27] 12. Form & Function: A Return to the Scroll?

[2/28] 13. Midterm Exam Review (Make-up Day)

 

Week 7

[3/4] 14. Midterm Exam

[3/6] 15. Research Paper Workshop

 

[3/10–14] Spring Break

 

THEME: ORDERING INFORMATION

Week 8

[3/18] 16. Techniques of Memory: Mnemonics & Medieval Contemplation

[3/20] 17. Making Sense of the World: Maps & Bestiaries

 

Week 9

[3/25] 18. Recording History: Genealogies, Chronicles, and the Jami‘ al-tavarikh

[3/27] 19. Compilation & Courtly Literature: The Roman de la Rose

 

THEME: CROSS-CULTURAL INTERACTIONS

Week 10

[4/1] No Class

[4/3] 20. Gift-giving & Diplomacy in the Later Byzantine Empire

 

Week 11

[4/8] 21. Collecting & Diplomacy I: The Safavid & Mughal Empires

[4/10] 22. Collecting & Diplomacy II: Ottoman Empire

 

Week 12

[4/15] 23. Illuminating Travel Texts in Late Medieval France

[4/17] 24. Imagining Epic: The Alexander Romance Across Cultures

 

Week 13

[4/22] 25. Research Paper Presentations

[4/24] 26. Research Paper Presentations

 

Week 14

[4/28] 27. Research Paper Presentations

[4/30] 28. Final Exam Review

Final Exam