Course Syllabus

JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

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

SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Carolyn Smyth
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: TTH 11:30 AM 12:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS:

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:

The range of artworks presented in this course is selective rather than all-inclusive, in the belief that deeper knowledge of a few works will supply students with essential art-historical skills, and a foundation for what may be hoped to be a continued involvement with art.

By including several visits to representative sites and collections, the course will take advantage of our special situation in Rome. For this reason, some emphasis will be placed on the art of Italy in the Renaissance and Baroque. Relevant temporary exhibitions which relate to our subject matter will also be included in visits. While not possible for all units, a number of on-site discussions, as well as the journal and paper assignments, will enrich this introductory course through the study of original works of art and architecture.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Students will be expected to develop, in the course of the semester, the following:

- Ready recognition of selected works and knowledge of basic facts related to them. A basic understanding of the historical development of painting, sculpture, architecture and other arts from the cultures and periods of the course within their cultural, political and ideological contexts.

- Awareness of problems of interpretation, in relation to the study of selected works; basic

Familiarity with the subject matter and iconography, function, issues of patronage and purpose of selected works.

- Development of the visual and analytical skills of looking. The student should achieve a recognition of major period styles; also essential is a perception of the ways in which form and meaning are conjoined.

- A grasp of the changing function of art as a shifting expression of individuals and institutions in different moments of history. Awareness of the different functions and attitudes toward the purpose of art in different cultures, West and East, and the different values placed on artists, media, and the role of art in society.

- Furthering of writing skills: declaration and development of a clearly stated theme, development of methods of argumentation and organization, written expression and structure.

- Furthering of oral communication skills, through class discussion and oral presentation

TEXTBOOK:

Book Title	Author	Publisher	ISBN number	Library Call Number	Comments	Format	Local Bookstore	Online Purchase
Gardner’s Art Through the Ages 13th edition – Volume II - World Art	F.S. Kleiner, C.J. Mamiya and R. G. Tansey,	Cengage	.

REQUIRED RESERVED READING:

NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:

Book Title	Author	Publisher	ISBN number	Library Call Number	Comments
Other readings will be suggested during the semester;	expect further notice	in class.	XXXXX

GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:

Assignment	Guidelines	Weight
Midterm Examination	Review for Midterm, two evenings, probably Monday and Tuesday previous to exam (pick one) You will be asked to identify slides, and to write comparative essays on pairs of slides. In addition, you will be shown a slide of a work probably not familiar to you, to analyze and to compare to known works. A “Monument List” will be given to you in anticipation of the exam as well as more detailed instructions. All works on this list are reproduced in the textbook, with the exception of a few seen on-site in Rome. In addition, two review periods will be scheduled for the Tuesday and Wednesday evenings before the Thursday examination (choose one).	20
Final Exam	TO BE SCHEDULED DURING FINAL EXAMINATION WEEK Do not plan to leave Rome before the Final Examination Week is over! Review for Final, two evenings of last week of class (prob. Mon. and Tues.) (pick one) The Final Examination will follow the same format as the Midterm: monument list, reserve slides, etc. will also be provided as above. This exam will include in addition an essay question which will propose a theme interrelating various works and issues discussed during the semester, which will test you as well on command of the readings. You will be given a choice of three or four essay questions.	25
Journal	Sept. (TBA) – First entry to be submitted Nov. (TBA) – All four entries (completed Journal, including first entry). The Journal is an informal but important assignment to get you to investigate works on your own, and to practice skills and apply ideas learned in class and from the reading. You will visit four different monuments, museums or sites and write (handwritten – can be retyped if very messy) 3 to 5 pages of analysis on three individual works. Only one may be a work seen together on the class visits, and at least two should be a work not in Gardner. A variety of media should be addressed – painting, sculpture, architecture. Further instructions will be provided.	25
Short Comparative Paper	Oct. (TBA) – Paper Topic submitted - Nov. (TBA) – Paper Due. A short (3-4 page) paper, well-organized, carefully written and edited, will address two works of art or architecture which are related by theme and/ or purpose. You might use a work addressed in you Journal (or a new work) and “match” it with another of the same subject, type, or purpose – for instance, two church facades, two portraits of noblemen, two Last Suppers, two marble seated figures, (etc.). The paper should demonstrate research on each work – at least four specialized articles or books (no “Wikipedia”!) – as well as a thoughtful comparison of how each artist or architect approached a similar but different task in a distinctive manner. More guidelines to come.	20
Class participation and discussion	Active participation and discussion in class and visits is of course toward your benefit for the grade – but also, helpful contributions and questions relevant to the material under consideration also make the class more interesting and lively for all of us. Keep in mind that this 10% of your grade is an assessment not simply of your physical presence, but of active involvement in discussion. Attendance is naturally a requirement of the course, since much material will be presented in lectures and discussions which is not available in the readings. Be sure to have completed the assigned readings before each class. A reminder of classroom and on-site etiquette – Punctuality is important, since announcements concerning assignments and visits will be made at the beginning of the class; it is tiresome for everyone if these must be repeated because of tardiness. Please be sure to accomplish telephone conversations, snacking, and calls of nature before the class – rising from class or wandering off from the on-site group or chatting is extremely distracting for me and for your fellow students, and prohibited except for the most dire of instances. Due to abuse of the employment of computers in past classes, computers will not be allowed in the classroom. On-site classes are Real Classes, and your undivided attention, note-taking and active participation is expected. NB: Should you feel uncertain about an assignment, come to me and we can speak about it. I will supply ample handouts, guidelines, and give instructions orally in class for each project and exam, but I am also available for individual discussion in office hours and by appointment. I am also willing to read drafts (substantially complete papers and journals for which you have some doubts or worries) if they are submitted in advance for me to read.	10

-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 cours
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.

In addition to attendance and participation, students will be appraised according to the quality of performance on the assignments, the midterm and the final examination.

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

Fall 2016 Schedule

Schedule of Classes

The professor reserves the right to make changes in the schedule with advance notice and the agreement of the students.

Pay attention to make-up classes, Friday morning visits (which count as regular classes), and the pre-examination evening reviews. Due the scheduling of classes to only 75 minutes, we will do three on-site visits on Fridays mornings. I must be away for the entire week of Thanksgiving. In addition, the on-site visits provide the wonderful opportunity to learn about important works of art not just from your textbook, but in person, here in Rome!

Suggested supplementary readings will be indicated (forthcoming).

August 30 - Introduction - Course goals, assignments.

Sept. 1 – Some basic terms and approaches, methods and aspects of art history through examples from the 14-18C.

Required Reading: Gardner, Introduction: “What is Art History”

Sept. 6 - Late Gothic Art, including mosaics, crucifixes, reliefs for pulpits, frescoes, sculpture and architecture in Italy

Required Reading: Chapter19: “Italy, 1200 to 1400” (=” From Gothic to Renaissance: The Fourteenth Century in Italy”)

Sept. 8 - Early Renaissance Art in the Netherlands: especially the painting of Jan van Eyck and Rogier van der Weyden

Required Reading: Gardner, Chapter 20: “Northern Europe 1400-1500“ (=”15C Art in Northern Europe”)

Sept. 13, 15 -Early Renaissance Art and Architecture in Italy, especially in Florence. The interest in ancient culture for “humanistic” purposes; a new attitude toward rendering nature; courts vs. republics; one-point perspective; civic participation and individuality in the Renaissance and in Renaissance art and architecture of the 15C.

Required Reading: Gardner, Chapter 21: “Italy 1400 to 1500”(=“15C Italian Art”)

Sept. 16 - FRIDAY VISIT, 10:30 – 12:00

A Visit to the Villa Farnesina – Meet me at the entrance of JCU at 10:00 sharp!

An on-site introduction to some issues concerning High Renaissance painting and architecture: Patronage, society, and the model of classical culture.

Sept. 20, 22 - Some principles of High Renaissance art and architecture in Italy. Leonardo, Raphael, Michelangelo, and Bramante, especially in Florence and Rome. Pope Julius II and the triumph of the papacy in the Eternal City.

Required Reading: Gardner, Chapter 22:”Italy 1500 to 1600” (=“The High Renaissance and Mannerism”)

Sept. 22: FIRST JOURNAL ENTRY DUE

NB: Sept. 23 – FRIDAY MAKE-UP DAY

The High Renaissance in Italy, con.

Sept. 27 and 29 - Other Currents in Italian Renaissance Art. Venice and Northern Italy, especially Titian and Correggio. The Later Renaissance and “Mannerism.”

Required Reading: Gardner, Chapter 22: later section on Venetian art and Mannerism.

Oct. 4 and 6 - The art of Northern Europe in the 16C: Dürer, and the legacy of northern naturalism in the North; the interconnections of Flanders and Spain in art, in collecting.

Required Reading: Chapter 23: “Northern Europe and Spain, 1500-1600”

Oct. 6: SECOND JOURNAL ENTRY DUE Submit second new entry; also be sure to include your first one!

Oct. 11 - TBA

October 11 and 12, Monday and Tuesday evenings (exact time TBA; pick one) – REVIEWS for the Midterm Examination

October 13 - MIDTERM EXAMINATION

Oct. 18 and 20 - Baroque art and architecture in Italy. The expression of the Counter-Reformation in Rome – St. Peter’s, Bernini, and Borromini. New trends introduced to Rome in the painting of Caravaggio and the Carracci. Opening the heavens – ceiling decoration in church and palace.

Required Reading: Gardner, Chapter 24, “Italy and Spain 1600 to 1700”

Oct. 20: COMPARATIVE PAPER TOPIC DUE

October 21 - FRIDAY VISIT, 10:00 – 12:00

“The Quirinale Baroque Experience:” Four Baroque Churches and some principles of 17C art and architecture in Rome; Maderno, Bernini and Borromini, and more. Meet in front of the church of S.Susanna.

Oct. 25 and 27 – Mughal Art and Architecture: An introduction to non-Western art through some examples of Mughal art (Muslim art of India) contemporary with the Western “Renaissance and Baroque period:” intersections with Europe (to help understanding of our study of the various functions of art), and a study of different patronage, conceptions of creativity, and purposes of art in a diverse context

Required Reading: Gardner, Chapter 26, “South and Southeast Asia after 1200”

NB: October 28 – WE WILL NOT HAVE THE FRIDAY MAKE-UP DAY

Class hours are already fulfilled by our Friday Visits and Evening Reviews.

Nov. 1 – NO CLASS – Holiday

November 3 - Baroque painting in Flanders: Peter Paul Rubens: Rubens’ Italian experience, Antwerp, and his international career.

Required Reading: Gardner, Chapter 25:”Northern European Art 1600 to 1700”

Nov. 8 - French art and architecture in the Baroque period: Nicholas Poussin, a learned French painter in Rome. The court of Louis XIV and the style of absolute monarchy in art and architecture, at Paris and Versailles.

Required Reading:Gardner, Chapter 25, section on French art

Nov. 10 - Baroque art in Spain, with special attention to Velazquez at the Hapsburg court of Philip IV in Madrid. Royal patronage, Spanish Catholicism, and a devotion to naturalism.

Required Reading: Gardner, Chapter 24, section on Spain

NB: Nov. 10 - COMPLETED JOURNAL DUE - Submit first two entries, along with two new entries; four total

Nov. 11 – FRIDAY VISIT, TBA (ca. 10:00 – 12:00)

Selected site could be a temporary exhibition in Rome, or a museum with non-Western art such as the Museo d’Arte Orientale Giuseppe Tucci on the Via Merulana.

Nov. 15 and 17 - Baroque painting in Holland. The development of the humble genres -portraiture, still-life, genre and landscape. Rembrandt’s spiritual vision in painting and prints.

Required Reading: Gardner, Chapter 25, section on Rembrandt and Dutch painting

NB: Nov. 17 - COMPARATIVE PAPER DUE

Nov. 22 and 24 – NO CLASS – Thanksgiving –

(NB: I will be away Tuesday as well as the Thursday holiday)

November 30 and December 1, Wednesday and Thursday evenings (exact time TBA; pick one) REVIEWS for the Final Examination

December 29 - The Baroque in England. Inigo Jones and Christopher Wren – architecture reigns supreme in new interpretations of the Renaissance and the classical.

Required Reading: Gardner, Chapter 25, section on English architecture

Dec. 1 - Last Class: TBA

FINAL EXAMINATION – to be scheduled, December 3-9 (Except Dec. 8, HOLIDAY)

Do not plan to leave Rome before December 10! Pre-Final Examinations will NOT be an option.