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 encouraged to contextualize a range of artefacts presented in class or through readings and multimedia resources. Upon successfully completing the course, students will be able to evaluate objects critically and apply the notions acquired to specific case studies.

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.

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

Classes will include both lectures providing historical-geographical background on the key phases of Islamic history, and others with a closer focus on key artefacts (architectural and artistic). Readings and multimedia resources will be made available in AulaWeb, and enable all students to successfully complete the assignments, including 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.

LESSONS

LESSONS START

Classes will start on Tuesday, October 8, 2024

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

There will be a mid-term assessment, and an assignment to be completed ahead of the final exam, focused on a case study - a single artefact or a small group of artefacts.

Mid-term assessment: A short paper with a critical discussion of a scholarly article.
Final exam: Discussion of the assignment (case study). Assessment of the student's knowledge, with a discussion of course materials or images of artefacts to be recognized and contextualized.

Classes and all course materials will be in English. Students will have the option of writing their papers and taking the exam in Italian if they so wish.

Students with disabilities or learning disorders.

Students with disabilities or learning disorders are entitled specific adjustments, provided they upload the relevant certifications and documents on the University's dedicated webpage. See http://servizionline.unige.it under rubric 'Students'. The documents will be validated by the relevant office within the University (Settore servizi per l’inclusione degli studenti con disabilità e con DSA dell’Ateneo) (https://rubrica.unige.it/strutture/struttura/100111).

At least 10 days before the exam, students will have to email the instructor, Cc'ing the aforementioned office, as well as the School's deputy for matters concerning students with disabilities and learning disorders (elisabetta.colagrossi@unige.it). Please specify the following in your email:

- name, surname, student number
- course name and number
- date of your exam
- adjustments required

Once the School's representative confirms your eligibility, you will liaise with your instructor to finalize the details. The final decision on what adjustments are acceptable rests with your instructor.

Please note that any request must be sent at least 10 days before your exam, to successfully complete the process in time. Please also note that the mind maps to be used on the day of your exam have to be significantly more concise than those you use when you study.

For further information, please see:
https://unige.it/sites/unige.it/files/2024-05/Linee%20guida%20per%20la%20richiesta%20di%20servizi%2C%20di%20strumenti%20compensativi%20e_o%20di%20misure%20dispensative%20e%20di%20ausili%20specifici%20Maggio%202024.pdf

ASSESSMENT METHODS

As is customary in Italian universities, your final exam will be a face-to-face interview. 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. if 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).