OVERVIEW

An introduction to Islamic art, architecture, and civilization over the centuries (from the origins to the modern era).

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course aims to illustrate the key moments in the history of Islamic art in a broad diachronic perspective.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

Art and architecture are one of the most valuable interpretive tools for an understanding of present and past societies. Spanning different continents and a time frame extending between late antiquity and the present, Islamic art provides insights into the profound social transformations our world has witnessed over more than a millennium.

Students will familiarize with the key moments in the historical and artistic development of Islamic civilization, and to associate the relevant historical phases to specific regions and populations. Within that framework, they will be asked to contextualize a range of artefacts presented in class or through readings and multimedia resources. An ability to evaluate objects critically and apply the notions acquired to specific case studies will be necessary to successfully complete the course.

PREREQUISITES

A good knowledge of the English language, and a basic knowledge of the unfolding of world history from late antiquity to the present day. A curiosity for other cultures and an open mind.

TEACHING METHODS

Traditional lectures will form the basis of this class. Attendance, though not mandatory, is highly recommended, and will be verified through the EasyBadge platform. Additional readings and resources will be requested of those unable to attend.

Classes will take place during the first semester.

Images, links, readings, and other materials will be made available on AulaWeb ahead of the exam.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Lectures will alternate between historical-geographical introductions to the key phases of Islamic history, with a closer focus on key artefacts (architectural and artistic). Additional readings and multimedia resources will be made available to those unable to attend classes in person.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Our principal textbook will be: Finbarr Barry Flood,Gülru Necipoğlu (eds), A Companion to Islamic Art and Architecture, Wiley, 2017:
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/book/10.1002/9781119069218
Excerpts from it will be integrated with a selection of materials from the platform Khamseen – Islamic Art History Online:
https://sites.lsa.umich.edu/khamseen/
and further resources to be detailed during the semester.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

LAURA PARODI (President)

STEFANIA SPEZIOTTO

LESSONS

LESSONS START

Classes will start on September 26, 2023

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Students are required to write an assignment, focused on a case study - a single artefact or a small group of artefacts.
Interview: Discussion of the assignment. Assessment of the student's knowledge, with a discussion of course materials or images of artefacts to be recognized and contextualized.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

As is customary in Italian universities, exams are one-to-one interviews. Grades are based on the following criteria:
1. if the student demonstrates, with a mastery of technical language, a full comprehension of the contents, periodizations, and themes covered in the class, with an organic and critical awareness of the subject, the interview will be rated as very good to excellent (between 28 and 30 cum laude);
2. iif the student demonstrates verified, but not in-depth, knowledge, and uses correct but not always fully exact language, the grade will be between good (25-27) and satisfactory (23-24);
3. a basic knowledge of the subject, with some approximation and a largely superficial understanding, with only marginally appropriate terminology, will still be regarded as sufficient (18-22);
4.significant lacunae in the students' exposition - whether in terms of content or terminology - and a difficulty in navigating the course materials and themes will not lead to a pass (failed exam).

Exam schedule