ARTH 4320 - Tales of the Alhambra and Lalla Rookh: Case Studies in Orientalism

(crosslisted) NES 4320
(GHB) (ALC-AS, HST-AS, LA-AS)

Spring. 3 credits. Letter grades only (no audit).

Co-meets with ARTH 6320/NES 6320.

C. Robinson.

An introduction both to the History of Art and to an interdisciplinary approach to research and analysis through close study of these two works. Beginning with a sampling of Said’s Orientalism and its critics, we will follow with a group read and analysis of each illustrated work, including text-image consideration and analysis. There will be heavy focus on multi-media primary source material in Kroch library, the Johnson Museum, and my own personal collection; consideration of both works in their 19th-c context, as well as medieval and earlier roots. We will devote half the semester to each, with ‘hinge point’ marked by a study day at Olana. Final product could include small exhibition, in tandem with individual papers/projects.