This course investigates the history of art and architecture produced under Muslim caliphates, dynasties, and societies between the 7th and 17th centuries. It presents a cross-regional survey of key works that date from the emergence of Islam through the Ottoman, Safavid, and Mughal Empires. Focusing on a variety of media—from monumental architecture to metal- and glasswork, ceramics, manuscripts, and textiles—lectures familiarize students with the wide ranging historical, social, and cultural contexts for the visual cultures of the Islamic world. Special attention is given to historiographical issues as well as current art historical methodologies and debates within the field of inquiry.

Satisfies "the Medieval World" core course requirement for Art History majors

This course investigates the history of art and architecture produced under Muslim caliphates, dynasties, and societies between the seventh and seventeenth centuries. The course presents a cross-regional survey of key works that date from the emergence of Islam through the Ottoman, Safavid, and Mughal Empires. Focusing on a variety of media—from monumental architecture to metal- and glasswork, ceramics, manuscripts, and textiles—lectures familiarize students with the wide ranging historical, social, and cultural contexts for the visual cultures of the Islamic world. Special attention is given to historiographical issues as well as current art historical methodologies and debates within the field of inquiry.

Upon successful completion of this course, students will:

- Recognize key works of Islamic art and architecture.

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

- Acquire an understanding of the chronology of important historical events.

- 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.

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.

Provisional Schedule:

Week 1

[1/21] 1. Introduction & Course Overview

[1/23] 2. Key Terms for the Study of Islamic Art

Week 2

[1/28] 3. Umayyad Jerusalem & Damascus

[1/30] 4. Umayyad Palaces & Retreats

Week 3

[2/4] 5. Abbasid Baghdad & Samarra

[2/6] 6. Art of the Object: Umayyad & Abbasid

Week 4

[2/11] 7. Umayyad Cities & Palace-Cities of Al-Andalus

[2/13] 8. Art of the Object: Umayyad Al-Andalus

Week 5

[2/18] 9. Fatimid Cairo

[2/20] 10. Art of the Object: Fatimid

Week 6

[2/25] 11. Seljuqs of Iran

[2/27] 12. Seljuqs of Rum

[2/28] Make-up Day—No Class (we will instead meet for an on-site study trip Fri. 4/4)

Week 7

[3/4] 13. Midterm Exam Review

[3/6] 14. Research Paper Workshop

[3/10–14] Spring Break

Week 8

[3/18] 15. Midterm Exam

[3/20] 16. Ilkhanid Shrines & Mausolea

Week 9

[3/25] 17. Art of the Object: Ilkhanid

[3/27] 18. Timurid Art & Architecture

Week 10

[4/1] No Class

[4/3] 19. Mamluk Cairo

[4/4] 20. Study Trip to Museo della Civiltà

Week 11

[4/8] 21. Ottoman Architecture (14–15 c.)

[4/10] 22. Ottoman Art & Architecture (16 c.)

Week 12

[4/15] 23. Safavid Isfahan

[4/17] 24. Art of the Object: Safavid

Week 13

[4/22] 25. Mughal Architecture

[4/24] 26. Art of the Object: Mughal

Week 14

[4/28] 27. Legacies of Islamic Architecture

[4/30] 28. Final Exam Review

[TBD 5/5–9] Final Exam