Arts and Architecture in Europe I: From Ancient Greece to the Middle Ages (10 credit points)

Pre-requisites for enrolment

No prior knowledge is required, but consulting at least one of the course texts is recommended.

Content of Course

1. Ancient Greece

This class introduces elements about the Greek world from the Bronze Age to the Archaic times, in particular with the Homeric epics of the war against Troy, and the motifs it has inspired.

2. Ancient Greece

This class moves on from the material studied in Week 1 to focus on the classical and the Hellenistic periods.

3. The Etruscans

This class looks at the various artistic evidence left of this civilization which partly fuelled artistic creativity in the Roman world and beyond.

4. Rome

This class starts with the foundation of the city of Rome, focuses mainly on urban and architectural matters throughout the Republic and the Empire. The question of the identity of Roman art is discussed.

5. The Roman World

This class focuses on the ways artists have changed their creations in relation with the contacts between Roman art and various cultures prospering within and at the borders of the empire until the fall of Rome in the 5th century AD.

6. The Early Middle Ages in Northern Europe

This class looks at various artistic techniques in different areas throughout Northern Europe: Merovingian, Anglo-Saxon, Viking.

7. The Early Middle Ages in Southern Europe

This class looks at various artistic techniques and at different areas throughout Europe: Visigoths, Ostrogoths, Byzantine.

8. The Romanesque

This class brings under scrutiny a prominent phenomenon in the history of European medieval architecture, and also touches on visual representations.

9. The Gothic

This class focuses on the religious architecture developed across Europe from the 12th century until the end of the Middle Ages.

10. The Gothic

This class looks at the visuals arts developed in various media throughout Europe from the 12th century until the end of the Middle Ages.

Teaching method(s)

Lecture, visual analysis, discussion based.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course, through attending classes and outside reading, students should be able to:

• Discuss complex issues that are particular to each period;

• State and justify what period and what geographical area a work of art could belong to;

• Understand stylistic differences within Western art from Antiquity to the end of the Middle Ages;

• Outline the evolution of Western art from Antiquity to the end of the Middle Ages.

Sources

Core Readings

• Honour, H. and Fleming, J., 2001. A World History of Art, 5th ed. London: Laurence King.

• Williams, R., 2009. Art Theory: An Historical Introduction, 2nd edition. London: Wiley-Blackwell.

Web Sources

Metropolitan Museum of Art Timeline of Art History
http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/

Artlex Art Dictionary
http://www.artlex.com/

The Tate Glossary ‘designed to explain and illuminate some of the art terminology’
http://www.tate.org.uk/collections/glossary/

Class Handouts

Handouts will be provided.

Assessments

10 credit courses have one assessment. Normally, the assessment is a 2000 word essay, worth 100% of the total mark, submitted by week 12. To pass, students must achieve a minimum of 40%. There are a small number of exceptions to this model which are identified in the Studying for Credit Guide.

Studying for Credit

If you choose to study for credit you will need to allocate significant time outwith classes for coursework and assessment preparation. Credit points gained from this course can count towards the Certificate of Higher Education.

Queries

If you have questions regarding the course or enrolment, please contact COL Reception at Paterson's Land by email COL@ed.ac.uk or by phone 0131 650 4400.

Student support

If you have a disability, learning difficulty or health condition which may affect your studies, please let us know by ticking the 'specific support needs' box on your course application form. This will allow us to make appropriate adjustments in advance and in accordance with your rights under the Equality Act 2010. For more information please visit the Student Support section of our website.