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Syllabus

This course will survey the art and architecture of the Mediterranean, Greece and Rome from ca. 1600 bce through ca. 315 ce. In the Late Bronze Age, we will consider how the various cultures of the Mediterranean (New Kingdom Egypt, Hittite, Minoan and Mycenean) utilized common technologies, trading networks, and empire-building politics, even while creating unique artistic responses to life and death. The ancient Greeks developed a highly diverse and self-reflective art theory and practice with long-lasting effects in the western world. Even so, Archaic and Classical forms were interpreted differently in Hellas, Asia Minor, and "Greater Greece" (including Sicily, Campania and Etruria, on the Italian peninsula). Finally, we will examine the achievements of the Roman republic and empire, through the period of christianization in the late third century of the common era. Throughout, we will utilize the insights of literary and archeological studies to understand the monuments in their original context.

The material will be presented chronologically, in lecture format, informally structured to accommodate discussion based on visual materials and assigned readings. Students are responsible for understanding all of the material presented in class and in the text. You should be able to identify and discuss in some detail all the works illustrated in the text or in slides placed on reserve in the A-V room of the library. Your grade will be based on your performance on shorter assignments, exams and attendance / participation in class.

There are two writing assignments for the class. The first will be ahsorter and more structured essay analyzing one object from the Late Bronze Age, due February 25th in class. The second paper will be 10-12 pages on a topic of your choice, involving research on some aspect of art and architecture from the classical period of Greece or Rome. For this paper, you will be given library assistance in preparing a bibliography and proposal. Papers turned in by April 25thth will be returnd on the last day of class. all work is due by the time of the final exam.Many of the Art History classes will together take a field trip to the Cleveland Museum of Art, on a day that is the most convenient for the greatest number. This trip is free of cost and is required of all students.. In the event that a time conflict cannot be resolved, an alternate assignment will be made by the professor.

• *Gay Robins, Art of Ancient Egypt. (Harvard, 2000)
• John Pedley, Greek Art and Archeology 3rd ed. (Prentice-Hall 2002)
• Nancy and Andrew Ramage, Roman Art, 4th ed. (Prentice-Hall 2004)
• *Spivey, Etruscan Art (Thames & Hudson, 1997)

Only general assignments will be made. You are expected to coordinate your reading to the material presented in class.

Not all of the material presented in class will be covered in the textbooks. When appropriate, lectures will be placed online in a password-protected section of the website. Consult the professor for the Username and Password. Consult the restricted materials.

Students are responsible for the material presented in the three required texts, even if it is not fully covered in lecture. Images required for the test will also be placed online.

Evaluation

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Last updated January 19, 2005