ARTH 2350 - Introduction to Art History: Islamic Art and Culture

(crosslisted)
(also NES 2747) (GHB) (HA-AS)

Spring. 4 credits.

C. Robinson.

Spanning the years between the advent of Islam as one of the world’s great religions in the early 7th century A.D. and the end of the 14th century A.D., this course will place significant emphasis on, in addition to religious architecture and mobilier, the secular world, its built environments and its material culture (palaces, gardens, places of the imagination, Arts of the Book). Lectures and readings will attempt to situate these structures and objects in a framework or context which will enrich students’ understanding of them and of the cultures which produced them. Two weekly slide lectures and occasional section meetings.

Readings will include a textbook and limited selection of articles on e-reserve; assignments will include two in-class and two take-home exams plus two shorter writing assignments.