Course Description
Architecture, sculpture, and painting in Western Europe from the seventh through the eleventh centuries.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
Graduate students will be expected to produce an extensive
research paper on specific works or issues related to the field
and the methodologies appropriate to the topic under
consideration in the course. This paper will be a detailed,
in-depth consideration of the student's chosen theme requiring
not only a demonstration of advanced research skills (including
the ability to read and use material presented in foreign
languages), but also an articulation of the student's ability to
understand and manipulate the critical apparatus of art history
in connection with Early Medieval art.
Athena Title
EARLY MEDIEVAL ART
Prerequisite
Two ARHI 3000-level courses and permission of major
Semester Course Offered
Offered every year.
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
The dominant architecture and art of Western Europe during its Christian colonization, the decline and fall of the Western Roman Empire and its aftermath. Particular emphasis on the Christian reinterpretation, transformation and integration of both classical and non-classical traditions. At the end of the course successful students will have demonstrated that they can research and write convincingly about topics in Early Medieval Art that are covered in the course, and that they understand some of the methods, values, and procedures that shape the history of medieval art in America.
Topical Outline
I. Methodological approaches to Early Medieval Architecture and Art. A. A familiarity with the textual bases for Christian doctrine. B. State of preservation at the work of art or architecture. C. Descriptive analysis of the work. D. State of research on the work. E. Evaluation of the work and the state of research. II. The Legacy of Imperial Rome. A. The requirements of Roman Imperial Christianity. B. Selected works of Early Christian and Early Medieval architecture and art as they relate to non-Christian Roman Imperial architecture and art. III. The legacy of barbarian Europe. A. Monumental architecture and sculpture. B. Portable art.
Syllabus