A comprehensive overview of medieval art and architecture from the late antiquity to the late Gothic period in Europe and the Mediterranean region. Discusses the visual art and cultures of about 1000 years (around 400-1400 CE) including Late Roman, Early Christian, Byzantine, Romanesque, Islamic, and Gothic art. Offers diverse perspectives on the development, exchange, interaction, and influence between all these cultures through their visual arts. A field trip to a major museum is required.
Goals, Topics, and Objectives
To develop understanding and appreciation for the different phases of medieval art and architecture as an important cultural period interacted with other major cultures; to explore and comprehend the relationship between the artistic forms of different religious groups; to understand the different architectural structures in relation to the different religious movement in the Mediterranean region. To understand the political interaction between the different phases of Medieval culture and their impact on the art of the Renaissance.
- The Late Antiquity: Introduction to the Early Medieval Period: 100 - 400 CE
Identify and explain the art and architectural trends during the Early Medieval Period, 100 - 400 CE
- The Byzantine Empire: 400 - 1543 CE
Identify and explain the artistic trends, styles, and mediums of the various forms of visual arts among the Byzantine Empire, 400 - 1543 CE
- The Early Middle Ages in the West: 200 - 800 CE
Identify and explain the artistic trends, styles, and mediums of the various forms of visual arts among the Early Middle Ages in the West, 200 - 800 CE
- Medieval Art and Islam 622 - 1400 CE
Identify and explain the artistic trends, styles, and mediums of the various forms of visual expression the Medieval and Islamic worlds, 622 - 1400 CE
- The Romanesque (950-1200)
Identify and explain the artistic trends, styles, and mediums of the various forms of visual arts among the Romanesque world, 950 - 1200 CE
- The Late Middle Ages
Identify and explain the artistic trends, styles, and mediums of the various forms of visual arts among the Late Middle Ages
- Phases of Medieveal culture
Demonstrate comprehension of the chronological and geographic boundaries of the different phases of medieval culture
- Medieval archeticture
Identify, analyze, and explain the artistic trends, styles, and techniques of the various forms of architectural structures among the different medieval sub-periods.
- Religion in Medieval culture
Examine the iconography and symbolism of the different visual art forms in relation to the religious and ritualistic factors of each specific sub-period and its ramification on the succeeding period.
- Politics in Medieval culture
Distinguish between the exchange, interaction, impact, and influence of the different cultures on medieval European esthetics through the political and cultural contacts
Assessment and Requirements
- Class participation
- Class discussions
- Weekly readings and overviews thereof
- Short essays and/or a research paper
- A Detroit Institute of Art visit and tour certain sections related to the Medieval art and materials
- DIA report
- Quizzes and/or Exams as determined by the instructor to be described in the course syllabus
Contact the Department for a list of required course materials.
Outcomes
- Humanities and Fine Arts
- Humanities
- Category 5: Humanities and Fine Arts