JCU Logo
JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "AH 294"
COURSE NAME: "Renaissance Rome and Its Monuments (Rome City Series)"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Summer Session II 2015
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Linda Nolan
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: TTH 2:00PM 5:45PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: On-site; activity fee: €25 or $33
OFFICE HOURS:
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Rome City Series - This on-site course will study the monuments of Renaissance Rome: painting, sculpture and architecture produced by such masters as Bramante, Raphael, and Michelangelo, all attracted to the lucrative service of popes, cardinals and nobles of the Roman court. On-site classes will investigate examples of palace and villa architecture, chapel decoration that encompasses altarpieces and funerary sculpture, as well as urbanistic projects where the city itself was considered as a work of art. In-class lectures will introduce historical context and theory allowing the student to understand artworks studied conceptually and place commissions of painting and sculpture within a socio-historic framework. On-site AH classes require a small fee for museum tickets, as well as an activity fee of €25 or $33.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
Although conceived as a way to provide an in-depth introduction to monuments of the Roman Renaissance, students will be
introduced to key themes in the study of Italian Renaissance art and artists by means of readings directly related to site visits.

Some of the themes include:

- innovation versus tradition in artistic style and design;

- the problem of using the biography of an artist for understanding works of art;

- the changing status of the artist in society;

- artistic competitions;

- the critical reception and impact of ancient Roman “pagan” buildings and sculpture;

- the impact of the 1527 Sack of Rome and the start of the Council of Trent in 1545;

- women patrons and beholders of Renaissance art;

-  the impact of Renaissance art on later periods;

-  the reception of Renaissance art in sacred spaces. 

By exploring these themes, students will be introduced to the Roman Renaissance as a moment in which the rediscovery of ancient Roman textual and material culture, changes in society, and competitions between artists led to innovations in thought and art making.

Much emphasis will be placed on the artists Michelangelo and Raphael, and the meaning and reception of Renaissance art in the private and sacred spaces of Rome.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Students will:

- learn the survey of Renaissance monuments and art in Rome.

- learn how to identify key moments in Roman Renaissance art.

- understand the social, political, and religious meaning of monuments
in Renaissance Rome.

- gain experience in research and critical looking through the writing of a site-based paper assignment.

- develop critical thinking, reading, and observation skills.
TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
High Renaissance Art in St. Peter's and the VaticanHersey, George L.University of Chicago Press 1993xxxxxxxx    
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Attendance and ParticipationOne unexcused absence is permitted (but highly discouraged) without grade penalty. You are still responsible for the content of that missed meeting, which may include a site-based writing assignment (10%). Three late arrivals (“tardies”) count as one unexcused absence. Because this is an on-site class, students are expected to plan accordingly to arrive on time to class, wear the appropriate shoes and clothing for inclimate weather and dress appropriately for sacred spaces (knees and shoulders covered, and all parts in between!). A document including tips on arriving to various sites will be posted on the course page (MyJCU). PLEASE arrive on time. Students who arrive late to class will have to find the group on their own, pay their own entrance to the museum, miss important information announced at the start of class, and/or possibly not be able to enter the museum due to group reservations.15%
In-Class Writing AssignmentsIn-Class (on-site) writing assignments will allow you time to engage independently with objects at sites. The writing assignments will also help me gage your comprehension of the content of the course. 10%
Midterm ExamThe format of the Mid-Term exam is as follows: - five slide identification (artist, title, and date) and several short answer questions related to key ideas from course (15 mins) - three sets of "slide comparisons" for which you must identify the monuments (artist, title, and date) and write a short essay in response to a prompt (20 mins each) Due to the demanding nature of on-site courses, you will be provided a Study Guide (including monument list) for the Midterm and the Final Exam prior to the exam20%
Paper AssignmentYou will be provided a paper prompt posted on MyJCU by the first week.25%
Final ExamThe Final Exam is cumulative, but with emphasis on the second part of the course. The format is the same as the mid-term with the addition of one long essay. You will have three topics to chose from for the long essay.30%

-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 ____________
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

Week 1:

Meeting 1, July 7: Introduction to the Course (Campus); 

Meet on Campus.  Move to site.  CHRUCH DRESS CODE

Readings: (to be done after class): “The Renaissance”, Oxford Art On-Line; 


Meeting 2, July 9: Pantheon (Impact of Antiquity on Renaissance) and church of S. Maria sopra Minerva (Michelangelo’s Risen Christ).

Meet in portico (porch) of Pantheon, left hand side when facing building.  CHRUCH DRESS CODE

Readings: *Wallace, 1997, 1251-80 (Michelangelo’s Risen Christ); Karmon 2011, Ch. 5: Pantheon

Week 2:

Meeting 3, July 14: St. Peter's Basilica and Renaissance sculpture’s (Michelangelo’s Pieta, Tomb of Pope Sixtus IV)

Meet at JCU, Lecture Room, for Intro lecture.  Move to site.  CHURCH DRESS CODE

Readings: *Ziegler, 1995, 28-36 (Michelangelo’s Pieta); *Hersey 1993, 36-41, 65-96 (building design history); Ettlinger 1953, 250-71 (Tomb of Sixtus IV); Stinger 1998, 166-200 (background); Wallace 2010, 222-29 (Michelangelo at St. Peter’s)

Meeting 4, July 16: Vatican Museums, Pt. I: Renaissance painting and tapestries in the Pinacotheca (Giotto, Perugino, Leonardo, and Raphael), the old Papal Palace (if open), and Sistine Chapel, Pt. I

Meet at Entrance to Vatican Museums (further details TBA).  CHURCH DRESS CODE

Readings: *Hersey 1993, 114-128, 177-82.  Recommended, re: the Borgias: Ghirardo 2008; Hevesy 1932, pt. 1 and pt. 2.

 


Week 3:

Meeting 5, July 21: The pilgrims in Renaissance Rome: Pilgrim route from Ponte Sant’Angelo, S. Agostino (Sansovino, Raphael), and S. Maria del Popolo

Meet at JCU, Lecture Room, for Intro lecture.  Move to site.  CHURCH DRESS CODE

Readings: *Dunlop 2003, 259-285; Stinger 1998, 31-46; Bonito, 1982, 268-76.  

Meeting 6, July 23: Mid-Term Exam on Campus; After exam, discussion of paper assignment and Lecture to Introduce remainder of Course

Meet at JCU, Lecture Hall

No Reading


Week 4:

Meeting 7, July 28: The Capitoline Museums: the first “museum” of ancient art

Meet on Capitoline Hill, at Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius.  

Readings: Wren 2010, 103-19 (Capitoline collection and hill); Stinger 1998, 254-64 (Capitoline hill).

 

Meeting 8, July 30

Vatican Museums, Pt. II: The Belvedere collection of ancient sculpture (Laokoon, Torso Belvedere, Apollo Belvedere), Papal Apartments (Raphael Stanze) and Sistine Chapel, Pt. II (Michelangelo)

Meet at Entrance to Vatican Museums.  CHURCH DRESS CODE

Readings: *Wren 2010, 265-70; *Hersey 1993, 129-76 (Raphael Stanze), 182-224 (Michelangelo Sistine Chapel); Wallace 2010, 89-104, 180-88. 

 

Week 5:

Meeting 9, August 4:  Michelangelo's Rome: Michelangelo’s Design for the Capitoline Hill (Campidoglio), S. Maria in Aracoeli (Tomb of Bracci), S. Apostoli, Michelangelo: S. Pietro in Vincoli (Tomb of Julius II, including Moses)

Meet on Capitoline Hill, at Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius.  

Readings: *Hersey 1993, 249-276; *Wallace 2010, 72-78, 105-06, 188-99, 204-06 (Tomb of C. Bracci), 208-209, 229-32, 330-337 (Michelangelo’s death). Recommended: Panofsky 1937, 561-79.

 

Meeting 10, August 6: Renaissance painting and beyond in Galleria Doria-Pamphili: the impact of the Renaissance 

Meet at Entrance to Galleria Doria-Pamphili, Via del Corso near Piazza Venezia

Readings: TBA


FRIDAY

FINAL EXAM

JCU Campus, Lecture Hall