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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "AH 196"
COURSE NAME: "Introduction to Italian Renaissance Art"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2025
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Patricia Rocco
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: MW 10:00 AM 11:15 AM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Mandatory trip to Florence; Activity fee: €25 or $33
OFFICE HOURS:
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The course is survey of art and architecture in Italy from the 14th to the early 16th century. It explores the contributions of Florence, Rome, Siena and Venice as artistic centers, and addresses trends of the Italian Renaissance as well the contributions by principal patrons and artists from Giotto to Michelangelo. Lectures are complemented by a mandatory one-day field trip to Florence (travel-costs for which are not included in the fee). The course will assist in cultivating basic art-historical skills and in building of a contextual visual vocabulary of the period.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
The course is survey of art and architecture in Italy from the 14th to the early 16th century. It explores the contributions of Florence, Rome, Siena and Venice as artistic centers, and addresses trends of the Italian Renaissance as well the contributions by principal patrons and artists from Giotto to Michelangelo. Lectures are complemented by a mandatory one-day field trip to Florence (travel-costs for which are not included in the fee). The course will assist in cultivating basic art-historical skills and in building of a contextual visual vocabulary of the period.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:

LEARNING OUTCOMES

 

Students will learn to:

Develop critical reading, writing and research skills necessary to analyse artwork via weekly readings, class discussion, writing assignments and essay exams.

 

Evaluate an object within its appropriate social and historical context, while engaging with theories of gender, identity and patronage critical to the production of visual culture in the Renaissance and early modern period.

 

Interpret the visual culture of the period through the lens of both iconography and formal analysis, as well as gaining a broad methodological framework.

 

 

 
TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
Italian Renaissance Art, Adams, Laurie SchneiderWestview Press, 2014.ISBN 10: 0813336910  Hard Copy  
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
 Required course materials/study visits and expected expenditure for the students Requirements include weekly readings and class discussion, a critical writing assignment and presentation, 2 exams, and a trip to Florence. Class format will consist of lectures and discussion. Although the format of this class is a lecture, student participation in weekly discussions is encouraged and expected. Attendance on the field trip is mandatory; JCU will cover museum fees but the students will be responsible for their own costs in terms of travel expenses.  
Midterm Exam: Midterm Exam: 25% 25%
Final Paper and Presentation: Final Paper and Presentation: 30% 30%
Final Exam: Final Exam: 25% 25%
Class Participation and Homework: Class Participation and Homework: 20% 20%

-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:

Attendance is expected at all lectures unless there is an emergency situation which should be communicated to the professor as soon as possible.

 

 
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

 

Schedule of Classes and Readings

 

Week 1, Mon/Wed (Jan 20/22): Introduction to the early Renaissance; rituals of devotion in the 13th century; Giotto, Duccio and the rise of humanism among the city-states

Reading: Adams, chapter 1 and 2; Vasari, preface to part one; Kemp, “Christ the True Icon”

 

 (Jan 27/29):                                       The birth of the republic in quattrocento Florence; Brunelleschi’s dome and civic competition

Reading: Adams, chapter 3; Bruce Cole, “The Status of the Arts”

 

 (Feb 3/5):                                           Masaccio and narrative painting: a new way of seeing; Monks, painters and patrons in fifteenth-century Florence; the influence of early Netherlandish painting

Reading: Adams, chapter 4 and chapter 7, pp. 151-3; Vasari, Preface 2; Adams, chapter 5 and chapter 11, pp. 222-6.

 

(Feb 7):                                                 Makeup Day for Monday, April 21st; film clip & discussion

 

(Feb 10/12):                                        The dignity of man and the nobility of women;

Donatello and Botticelli: the Medici, magnificenza; and Neoplatonism

Reading: Adams, chapter 7, 10, and 11; Jardine, “Price of Magnificence”; Adams, chapter 6 and chapter 11, pp. 238-246; Simons, “Women in Frames”

 

(Feb 17/19):                                        Courts, prestige, and female patronage: Urbino, Mantua; Venice: Crossroads to the East

                                                                Readings: Adams, chapter 9,12, and 13; selections from Castiglione’s Courtier    

 

(Feb 24/26):                                        Introduction to the moment of the high Renaissance: the revival of the classical world; Leonardo and naturalism at the court of Milan

Reading: Adams, chapter 14; Kemp, “Mona Lisa”; Vasari, preface to part III

                               

(March 3/5):                                       Michelangelo in Florence: republican beginnings with the Medici

Reading: Adams, chapter 15; Brandt, “Marble in Manhattan”; Barolsky, “Genius of Michelangelo

                                               

 

March 10 - 14                                    Spring Break

 

(March 17/19):                                  Midterm Exam; Film on the Medici and class discussion

                                                                Article selections/topics due for critical writing assignment

                                                                film clip & discussion

               

(March 24/26):                                  Raphael the courtier/painter

Reading: Adams, chapters 15 and 16; Schneider, “Raphael’s Personality”

                                                               

March 28                                             Florence Trip (details to follow)

                                               

 

 (March 31/April2):                          Michelangelo’s Last Judgment: crisis and reform

Reading: Adams, chapter 18; selection from Vasari’s Life of Michelangelo; Shrimplin, “Sun-Symbolism”

 

                                                               

 (April 7/9):                                         Venice: Titian, Love and Marriage in the Renaissance

Reading: Adams, chapter 17; Goffen, “Titian’s Sacred and Profane Love

 

 

(April 14/16):                                      Bronzino and Cellini: Mannerism in Florence under Cosimo I; Women Artists and their patrons in the 16th century

Reading: Adams, chapter 18; Healy, “Bronzino’s London ‘Allegory’; Murphy, “Lavinia Fontana and Le Dame della Citta”

 

 

 (April 21):                                           Holiday

 

(April 23):                                            Student Presentations 

 

(April 28/30)):                                    Student Presentations 

 

(May 5th):                                           Final Exam; Paper Due

 

 

 

 

 

OVERVIEW OF KEY BIBLIOGRAPHIC WORKS FOR THE COURSE