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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "AH 143"
COURSE NAME: "World Art III: Visual Culture of the Early Modern World"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2016
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Linda Nolan
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: TTH 1:30 PM 2:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS: Before and after class and by appointment

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This survey course focuses on the art and architecture of Europe, South and Southeast Asia, China, Japan, and the Americas from the late 1200s to c. AD 1750. The course investigates a range of media including painting, woodcuts, sculpture, and architecture, while considering materials and methods of production. Special attention will be given to the socio-economic and political contexts in which these artifacts were commissioned and produced. The course will also assist students in cultivating basic art-historical skills, in particular description, stylistic analysis, and iconographic and iconological analysis.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

Focused on a wide range of visual and material culture of the early modern world (c. AD 1300-1800), the course will, in part, introduce students to some of the well-known artists of the period (e.g. Dürer, Michelangelo, Bernini, Rembrandt, Velázquez, etc.).  Going beyond the traditional Western survey of art, this course will also introduce students to a way of looking at visual and material culture as indices of cultural encounter, travel and trade, and varying religious traditions.  We will discuss visual and material culture produced in Asia and the Americas in their own right and, when appropriate, as products and reactions to the Western tradition of art.   

The course will be guided by key themes in the history of Western early modern art (perspective, patronage, biography, and more); and the relevance of these themes to the arts made in Asia and the Americas will be discussed.  Additional themes include: tradition and innovation, discovery and mapping, different types of artistic vision, and the idea of Art (with a capital “A”).  The early modern period is when we see the expansion of cultural consciousness by means of the discovery of the Classical past, unknown worlds and peoples (from various perspectives), and new art materials and techniques.  We will also take time to discuss the development of a world art history and the challenges facing present day scholars to write the global history of early modern art.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Students will:

- Develop an accurate mental map of the broad developments of art and architecture in Europe, Asia and the Americas, circa 1300-1800 CE, with reference to specific works of art and architecture

- Practice and cultivate their skills in describing works of art and architecture vividly, evocatively, accurately

- Describe and analyze iconographies with particular attention to their iconographies, period meanings, and social functions

- Compare and contrast the aesthetic and material-visual traditions of early modern Europe with those in Asia and the Americas of the same period

TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
Gardner's Art Through the Ages: A Global History, international editionKleiner, Fred S.Wadsworth Cengage, 2013.xxxx N.B. This textbook also serves for other courses in the World Art sequence (AH140-144). If the book is available in two volumes, student may choose to buy volume 2 for AH143. It is essential to obtain the “International” edition.   
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
ParticipationParticipation discussions; the asking of intelligent and thoughtful questions; evidence of out-of-class preparation and extra reading in reliable, scholarly sources; punctuality, collegiality, inquisitiveness; obvious and constant engagement in the course; and enthusiasm – regularly acted upon – for observing and pondering art and architecture of the early modern period.10%
QuizzesDuring the term there will be four quizzes consisting of slide identifications and one slide-set "contrast/comparison" short essay. A monument list will be distributed the week before each quiz. The lowest quiz grade will be dropped.25%
Research JournalStudents will write entries in a research journal (minimum of 6 entries total). Each entry must focus on a work of art from one of the cultures covered in this course, observed and described in person, and accompanied by (a) an overall drawing of the work, as well as at least one drawing of a detail made by the student; (b) a ‘selfie’ or other proof (such a museum entrance ticket) that the description and drawing were based on observations made before the work itself. Research journals will be submitted on designated Tuesdays (see schedule) and returned the following Thursday. A Research Journal instructions document, with deadlines and suggestions for a productive visit, will be distributed.35%
Final ExamA cumulative exam consisting of image identifications (artist if known, title, date, culture/period, and medium); three slide-set "contrast/comparison" short essays; and one long thematic essay, selected from a list of five possible themes. A Final Exam preparation document, including monument list and possible themes, will be distributed in advance. The final class meeting with be, in part, dedicated to preparing for the Final Exam. 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:
JCU 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

THIS SCHEDULE IS TENTATIVE

The final course schedule will be distributed on the first day of class.

WEEK 1

1a – January 19

Introduction to the course

1b – January 21

What is Art History?  What is Global Art History?

Reading: Gardner, “Introduction” (pp.1-13); Carrier, “Introduction” A World Art History and its Objects. 

WEEK 2

2a – January 26

Lecture: Late Medieval Italy (Duecento and Trecento)

Reading: Gardner, Ch. 14

2b – January 28

Discussion: Late Medieval Italy (Duecento and Trecento)

Reading: Course Packet Rdg 1

WEEK 3

3a – February 2

Lecture: Late Medieval and Early Renaissance in Northern Europe

Reading: Gardner, Ch. 20

3b – February 4

Discussion: Late Medieval and Early Renaissance in Northern Europe

Reading: Course Packet Rdg 2

WEEK 4

4a – February 9                        

Research Journals Due 1

Lecture: The Renaissance in Quattrocento Italy

Reading: Gardner, Ch. 21

4b – February 11

Discussion: The Renaissance in Quattrocento Italy

Reading: Course Packet Rdg 3

WEEK 5

5a – February 16

Quiz 1

Lecture: Renaissance and Mannerism in Cinquecento Italy, pt. 2

Reading: Gardner, Ch. 22

5b – February 18

Discussion: Renaissance and Mannerism in Cinquecento Italy

Reading: Course Packet Rdg 4

WEEK 6

6a – February 23

Research Journals Due 2

Lecture: High Renaissance and Mannerism in Northern Europe and Spain

Reading: Gardner, Ch. 23

6b – February 25

Discussion: High Renaissance and Mannerism in Northern Europe and Spain

Reading: Course Packet Rdg 5

WEEK 7

7a – March 1

Quiz 2

Lecture: South and Southeast Asia, emphasis on India

Reading: Gardner, Ch. 32

7b – March 3

Discussion: South and Southeast Asia, emphasis on India

Reading: Course Packet Rdg 6

WEEK 8

8a – March 8

Lecture: China and Korea

Gardner, Ch. 33

8b – March 10

Discussion: Lecture: China and Korea

Reading: Course Packet Rdg 7

WEEK 9

9a – March 15

Research Journals Due 3

Lecture: Japan

Gardner, Ch. 34

9b – March 17

Discussion: Japan

Reading: Course Packet Rdg 8

WEEK 10

10a – March 22

Quiz 3

Lecture: The Baroque in Italy and Spain

Reading: Gardner, Ch. 24

10b – March 24

Discussion: The Baroque in Italy and Spain

Reading: Course Packet Rdg 9

SPRING BREAK – MARCH 29/31 – NO CLASS MEETINGS

WEEK 11

11a – April 5

Lecture: The Baroque in Northern Europe

Reading: Gardner, Ch. 25

11b – April 7

Discussion: The Baroque in Northern Europe

Reading: Course Packet Rdg 10

WEEK 12

12a – April 12

Research Journals Due 4

Lecture: Baroque in the Americas

Reading:  Gardner, Ch. 35

12b – April 14

Discussion: Baroque in the Americas

Reading: Course Packet Rdg 11

WEEK 13

13a – April 19

Quiz 4

Lecture: Rococo to Neoclassicism: the 18th century in Europe and America

Gardner, Ch. 26

13b – April 21

Discussion: Rococo to Neoclassicism: the 18th century in Europe and America

WEEK 14

14a – April 26

Research Journals Due 5

Final Class lecture and discussion – a Global History of Art in the Early Modern period

14b – April 28

Review for Final Exam

FINAL EXAM - TBA