OVERVIEW

The course shows a selection of sources of the controversial debate about sacred images (so-called iconoclasm). The discussion of the sources is relevant for the language of and representation in the Byzantine icon in the Middle Ages, and some modern and contemporary visual arts can be traced to its iconography as well.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course aims to give students the following knowledge, competences and abilities: - through the direct reading of texts, knowledge of the historical phases and theological arguments for and against icon worship; - ability to recognise the influences of the iconoclasm/iconophilia debate on artistic techniques and iconographic schemas; - ability to compare analogies and differences between western and eastern medieval artistic iconographic schemas.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

For the aims, see above. Learning outcomes in detail:

it is expected that, at the end of the attendance and after the study of the related program, students will be able

• to contextualize the literary and theological sources on the icon in time, space and literary genre they belong to;
• to connect the sources to the debate phases on the icon;
• to identify the connections between the theology of the icon and the main iconographic schemes.

SOFT SKILLS for Flipped Classroom which can be certified with an OPENBADGE:

• functional literacy competence – advanced level;
• personal competence – advanced level;

• learning-to-learn competence – advanced level.

PREREQUISITES

No prerequisites are requested to take the course.

TEACHING METHODS

Classes are held in person. Attendance, although not compulsory, is strongly recommended. The professor, at the specific request of a student (by e-mail), may allow him/her to follow classes remotely via “Teams” platform and to view class recordings. Those requesting to attend online must actively participate in live classes to be deemed attending students.

Methodology: lessons with PowerPoint/pdf presentations, frequent dialogues, polls and interactive platforms. Seminars by experts in the field.

Flipped classroom: students who regularly attend classes may present an oral report about an article/essay related with the content of the course. The presentation should be in person. The methodology allows to develop Soft Skills to be certified with an OpenBadge (see below Assessment Methods).

It is requested to subscribe on Aulaweb as well, in order to get information, didactic material, notices, bibliography and so on.

Students who can attend no lessons at all are warmly invited to email the professor at the beginning of the course.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Anti-naturalism? Ancient/modern icons and iconoclasms

According to ancient sources, in 726 the Emperor of Constantinople ordered the destruction of a huge image of Christ. This marked the beginning of iconoclasm: the destruction, or rather the deconstruction, of icons. Scholars use to dismiss that account as lacking credibility, and favour the Western view, which reduces the icon to a mere ornament. But this long-standing and complex controversy cannot simply be set aside. The target was not the icon itself, but its authenticity: according to the iconoclasts, the faithful were venerating ‘false’ images. Iconoclasm was therefore not a ‘condemnation’ of art, but rather of naturalistic representation: that which clung to nature, that is, to outward appearance. We will trace the history of the two iconoclasms (726–843), focusing on the new significance of the icon after its triumph.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Students may ask for a wholly English bibliography: please email as soon as possible pia.carolla@unige.it.

Bibliography for students who regularly attend the classes:

P.A. Florenskij, Le porte regali, Milano, Adelphi, 1977; OR: Id., La prospettiva rovesciata, Milano, Adelphi, 2020.

L. Uspenskij - V. Losskij, Il senso delle icone, Milano, Jaca Book, 2007, pp. 21-51.

Bibliography for non-attending students:

P.A. Florenskij, Le porte regali, Milano, Adelphi, 1977; OR: Id., La prospettiva rovesciata, Milano, Adelphi, 2020.

F. Dell’Acqua, Iconophilia. Politics, Religion, Preaching, and the Use of Images in Rome, c. 680-880, (Birmingham Byzantine and Ottoman Studies) Abingdon - New York, Routledge 2020.

L. Uspenskij - V. Losskij, Il senso delle icone, Milano, Jaca Book, 2007, pp. 21-51.

L. R. Cresci, “Echi di dibattiti teologici sull’icona e sulla Croce nella poesia di Giorgio di Pisidia.” Erga / Logoi 5.1 (2017), pp. 29–36.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

In the second week of February 2027, according to the timetable.

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Oral exam in Italian.

Erasmus students may request a substitutive bibliography, and take the examination in English (or German).

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Students will be asked (i) ) to analyze iconographic schemes in order to assess their capacity to connect theological themes and visual art(ifact)s; (ii) to read, explain and comment on the theological and historical sources about icons and iconoclasm in order to assess their competences to put texts and discussions into context.

Minimum 'pass' requirements for the oral exam are: (a) identifying the main themes in the theological debate on icons; (b) tracing their connections with iconographic schemes.

'Excellence' requirements are: identifying and discussing the multiple connections among the theological debate, the analytical reading of the selected sources and the definition of the most relevant iconographic schemes.

Regularly attending students may take part in the Flipped Classroom with an oral report during the lessons in person. The methodology of Flipped classroom works on the Soft Skills as follows:

• functional literacy competence – advanced level;
• personal competence – advanced level;
• learning-to-learn competence – advanced level.
  The students who take part in the Flipped Classroom during the lessons may get an OpenBadge of these Soft Skills after the exam.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Students with disabilities or specific learning difficulties (SLD) can consult the guidelines for requesting services, compensatory tools and/or special arrangements and specific aids by following the links on the website <https://unige.it/en/node/3394>

Please contact the professor for any further information in English.