This course will survey the history of Medieval art and architecture from its early Christian origins to the end of the Gothic period, roughly the third to the late fourteenth centuries. Beginning with the development of Christian imagery and architectural forms, participants will study the many functions of art and architecture throughout the Middle Ages. Toward the end of the course we will examine the church building, especially the cathedral, as an integral work of art that incorporates sculpture and painting with architecture. We will also address some of the theoretical issues influencing the interpretation of Medieval art (e.g., How are medieval monuments viewed from feminist or postmodern perspectives?) Weekly hours: 3 Seminar/Discussion hoursPrerequisite(s): ARTH 120.3 and ARTH 121.3; or 6 credit units HIST courses; or CMRS 111.3 and permission of the instructor. Note: A foundational knowledge of both the critical study of art (formal and contextual analysis) and medieval European history would be the best of all possible backgrounds for this course; the instructor recognizes, however, that most students will be more familiar with one or the other, but not both fields. A list of recommended background reading is included with this syllabus. Students should expect to be confronted with unfamiliar terminology and historical information and must be prepared to inform themselves through additional research.
This course will survey the history of Medieval art and architecture from its early Christian origins to the end of the Gothic period, roughly the third to the late fourteenth centuries. Beginning with the development of Christian imagery and architectural forms, participants will study the many functions of art and architecture throughout the Middle Ages. Toward the end of the course we will examine the church building, especially the cathedral, as an integral work of art that incorporates sculpture and painting with architecture. We will also address some of the theoretical issues influencing the interpretation of Medieval art (e.g., How are medieval monuments viewed from feminist or postmodern perspectives?) Weekly hours: 3 Seminar/Discussion hoursPrerequisite(s): ARTH 120.3 and ARTH 121.3; or 6 credit units HIST courses; or CMRS 111.3 and permission of the instructor. Note: A foundational knowledge of both the critical study of art (formal and contextual analysis) and medieval European history would be the best of all possible backgrounds for this course; the instructor recognizes, however, that most students will be more familiar with one or the other, but not both fields. A list of recommended background reading is included with this syllabus. Students should expect to be confronted with unfamiliar terminology and historical information and must be prepared to inform themselves through additional research.
