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, competencies 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 influxes of the debate on icons in 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.

TEACHING METHODS

Classes are held in person. Attendance, although not compulsory, is 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

The icons, war & peace

Sacred images in the Byzantine tradition go through a long conflict before arriving at their 'official' form and definition in the mid-9th century. The controversy is known as iconoclasm: a sort of 'war on icons' as it is depicted in the sources. In particular, there is tension between the veneration of the icons and the worship of the Cross, which follow different paths between the eastern and western Mediterranean.

Some phases of the Byzantine icon and its development in time and space are presented here: from the Armenian Crosses to the Christ Pantocrator of Sinai, from the Cross in St. Eirene to the Theotokos of Vladimir, up to the Trinity of Andrej Rublev (“the icon of icons”), the course allows to understand some aspects of Eurasia which are still extremely relevant in the 21st century both for artistic production and for the horizon of a possible peace.

„Christology of the sacred image in the iconoclastic controversy“ Four lessons (8 hours) about the Image of Christ during iconoclasm will be offered in italian by Dr. Francesco Vanoni, PhD student.

The content is designed both for attending and non-attending students.

Students who cannot attend classes may ask for a different syllabus and/or tailored bibliography. In any case, non-attending students are required to contact the professor as soon as possible via email.

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

Wednesday, 26th February 2025.

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 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 professor, 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 professor to finalize the details. The final decision on what adjustments are acceptable rests with your professor. 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

Please contact the professor for any further information in English.