FA 0050 Medieval Art
University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown
248 Biddle Hall
MWF 12:00-12:50 p.m.
Spring 2008
Dr. Valerie S. Grash, Associate Professor of Fine Arts
Office: 230B Biddle Hall
Phone: 269-7164
Email: vgrash@pitt.edu
Office Hours: Mondays & Wednesdays, 2:00-3:00 p.m.; Tuesdays & Thursdays, 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m., and by appointment.
Introduction:
This course is designed to be a thorough examination of the art and architecture created during the period known in Europe as the Middle Ages. This period commences with the emergence and legalization of Christianity in the Roman Empire, and concludes with the arrival of the Bubonic plague (Black Death) in the fourteenth century. Our focus will be on understanding not only the creation of specific monuments, but most importantly, placing them in a cultural context. Societal conditions that affected their design and meaning will be examined through readings, discussion and visual/contextual analysis. At the conclusion of the course, you should:
1. Possess a strong understanding of the various periods and cultures which make up the medieval period.
2. Recognize and comprehend the function, appearance and meaning of significant monuments.
3. Understand the terminology and various techniques used to create art and build architecture.
4. Have detailed knowledge of a specific theme or work of art, acquired through independent research.
Required textbook:
Marilyn Stokstad, Medieval Art. Second Edition (ISBN 0-8133-4114-6) Westview Press.
Other essential required readings are found on the course web site, with the expectation that you are reading this material in preparation for class discussion.
Course Web Site:
Additional textual and visual materials for this course (including monuments and terms covered in lecture); original documents and required readings; your grades; and pertinent announcements concerning class meetings and examinations are found at: http://courseweb.pitt.edu
Notice Regarding Course Changes:
I reserve the right to modify the timing, order and content of the course schedule. It is your responsibility to attend class and be aware of any changes. Check the course website regarding any class cancellations should they become necessary due to adverse weather conditions or other situations.
Cell Phones:
Be certain your cell phone ringer is turned OFF, as it is both annoying and disruptive to the entire class.
Course Policies
Faculty Statement:
My role is to facilitate learning through lecture and clarification of specific points through questioning and discussion, whether in the classroom, during office hours or via electronic correspondence. It is your responsibility to attend class, take accurate notes and approach me with any questions and issues for clarification in a timely manner.
Attendance:
While there is no attendance policy for this course, be forewarned that most of what you will be tested on is discussed thoroughly in class. Nothing replaces viewing the images projected on screen. Therefore, regular attendance is necessary to succeed in this course. In addition, as classroom discussion is expected, poor attendance will adversely affect you if it comes down to a borderline decision on your final grade.
Notes and Note Taking:
Under no circumstances do I provide notes for missed classes. It is your responsibility, if you miss a class, to acquire the lecture notes from a classmate. Class assignments and announcements are available on the course website. You may tape-record lectures as long as you inform the instructor in advance, and do not disturb others in the class.
Makeup Exams:
I give make-up exams only in cases with legitimate, documented reasons (death in the family, personal hospitalization, required fieldtrips, etc.). In such cases, inform me in advance and provide written confirmation of your absence. For serious issues, you must contact Dr. Jon Gonder's office (269-2076, or gonder@pitt.edu) as soon as possible, and he will notify all your professors of your situation. The make-up exam must be taken within one week of the scheduled test; only one makeup exam per student will be permitted. No one can make-up the final exam, which must be taken at the scheduled time.
Late Assignments:
No extensions are granted for class assignments. Due dates are clearly noted on the syllabus at the beginning of the semester. You should begin each assignment in a timely manner and even complete assignments early. Illness or any other excuse has no bearing on the fact that your work was not turned in on time. Any assignment not turned in by the due date will not be graded, thus earning 0 points for the work. No exceptions are permitted so do not ask!
Academic Integrity:
Please read carefully the Academic Integrity Guidelines in your student handbook. They will be followed to the letter in this course. There is ZERO tolerance for cheating or plagiarism. Any time that you use another person's words or thoughts as your own without giving them proper credit is plagiarism. Any instance of cheating or plagiarism will result in an automatic "F" (0 points) for that assignment, and steps may be taken, according to the Academic Integrity Guidelines, to receive an "F" for the course and for action leading to expulsion from the university. I will not permit re-writing any suspected plagiarized assignment.
Disabilities:
Students with disabilities who may be requesting academic accommodations for this course should notify the course instructor and Theresa M. Horner, L.P.C., Coordinator of Disability Services, as early as possible in the term. The Coordinator of Disability Services will verify the disability and determine reasonable accommodations for the course. To schedule an appointment or to learn more about disability services at UPJ, please call 269- 7109 or visit the Academic Support Center in G-16 Owen Library.
Grading and Course Requirements
Overall, you can earn 500 points during the semester. On this scale:
500-490 (A+) 489-465 (A) 464-450 (A-)
449-440 (B+) 439-415 (B) 414-400 (B-)
399-390 (C+) 389-365 (C) 364-350 (C-)
349-300 (D) 299 and below (F)
Your grade will be determined in the following manner:
Examinations (300 points):
There will be three exams during the semester (February 8, March 21, and April 22), each worth 100 points. The format will be multiple choice, and short essay questions drawn from class notes and readings. The final will NOT be comprehensive, but will cover only the material since the previous exam. I will post study guides on the course website, and host online study sessions before each exam.Critical Article Review (75 points):
In order to adequately prepare you for academic research, and assess your ability to comprehend and critically evaluate scholarly material in an articulate manner, you will be required to read and respond to a scholarly article (ideally, but not necessarily, related to your research project topic). This exercise will not only challenge your writing abilities, but also demonstrate your capability to research and form opinions from material you read. In consultation with the professor, you will select an article, and then produce a 2-3 page review paper that outlines the author's main thesis and supporting arguments. Further guidelines for this assignment are found on the course web site under "Assignments." Due date: February 18
Research Project (125 points total):
In consultation with the professor, each student will select a topic in medieval art to research during the semester. A list of possible topics will be posted on the course web site under "Assignments" and students can "claim" one via discussion with the instructor on the course's blog (accessed under "Course Tools").
By March 3, everyone must have developed online a preliminary outline for their Wiki entry that includes: a well-written opening paragraph that highlights the importance of your topic and the primary arguments your research will present; and a preliminary bibliography of source materials (at least 15-20) you will use in your research, equally balanced between online sites, and academic books and articles. These sources would include not only articles accessible from library databases, but books found in our library and acquired through interlibrary loan. Suggested sources of information are found on the course web site under "Assignments" and certainly we can discuss other appropriate sources on the course blog. This preliminary work will be assessed and graded by the professor, for a possible 25 points.
Your final Wiki entry is due before the final day of class-April 18. More details regarding this project will be covered as the semester progresses, however be aware that the final product should be strictly academic in nature, thoroughly researched and appropriately notated. Absolutely no plagiarism will be tolerated (see "Academic Integrity" entry above). The final product, as assessed and graded by the professor, will be worth a possible 100 points.
Course Schedule (with Textbook Reading Assignments)
January 07 Course Introduction
January 09 The Bible and Its Importance in the Medieval World
January 11 The Late Roman Empire and Early Christianity (pp. 13-23)
January 14 Constantine and Early Basilican Plan Churches (pp. 23-32)
January 16 The Fifth Century (pp. 32-44)
January 18 Hagia Sophia, Constantinople (pp. 45-55)
January 21 No Class-Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
January 23 Byzantine Art in the Age of Justinian: Ravenna (pp. 55-65)
January 25 Eastern Orthodox Icons and Ivories (pp. 67-74)
January 28 Nomadic Tribal Art in Western Europe (pp. 75-85)
January 30 Scandinavian Art: Vikings to Stave Churches (pp. 86-89; 168-169)
February 01 Anglo-Saxon Art (pp. 89-93)
February 04 Celtic Art and the Arrival of Christianity to Ireland (pp. 93-94)
February 06 Manuscript Illumination and Intellectual Developments (pp. 94-100)
February 08 Exam I
February 11 Charlemagne and the Carolingian Renovatio Romani Imperi (pp. 101-109)
February 13 Late Carolingian Empire (pp. 109-126)
February 15 Ottonian Art and Architecture (pp. 155-156; 173-190)
February 18 The Beginnings of Monasticism: Plan of St. Gall (* Critical Article Review due)
February 20 Monasteries in Western Europe: Cluniacs (pp. 166-168; 208-210)
February 22 Monasteries in Western Europe: Cistercians (pp. 216-219)
February 25 In-Class Discussion of Research Projects
February 27 The Rise of Islam (pp. 127-129; 143-148)
February 29 The Reconquistá and Islamic Influence on Western Architecture
March 03 Feudal Society and the Emergence of Castle Architecture (pp. 191-194)
March 05 The Crusades and Crusader Castles
March 07 Premier Art Roman (PAR) Romanesque (pp. 161-168)
March 10 No Class-Spring Break
March 12 No Class-Spring Break
March 14 No Class-Spring Break
March 17 Pilgrimage Road Romanesque (pp. 202-208)
March 19 Romanesque Portal Sculpture (pp. 208-217)
March 21 Exam II
March 24 William the Conqueror and Anglo-Norman Romanesque (pp. 191-192)
March 26 Anglo-Norman Romanesque Architecture (pp. 222-226)
March 28 Abbot Suger and the Emergence of Gothic Style (pp. 227-234)
March 31 Early Gothic Cathedrals (pp. 240-243)
April 02 Notre Dame at Paris (pp. 243-247)
April 04 Notre Dame at Chartres: Architecture (pp. 259-275)
April 07 Notre Dame at Chartres: Sculpture and Stained Glass (pp. 234-240; 275-285)
April 09 High Gothic Cathedrals: Structural Analysis
April 11 Louis IX and the Rayonnant Style (pp. 296-310)
April 14 English Gothic Architecture (pp. 285-290; 310-316; 338-343)
April 16 Gothic Outside France: Germany and Italy (pp. 290-296; 319-322; 325-334)
April 18 Late Gothic Art (Chapter 12)
Final Exam:
Tuesday, April 22, 9:00-11:00 a.m.