93018 - History of Muslim Art and Archaeology (1) (LM)

Learning outcomes

After completing the course, students have an advanced knowledge of the main historical and artistic themes related to the Islamic world in its different components and geographical areas. They are familiar with the methods for analysing the cultural products of the Islamic tradition, the history of studies and are able to orient themselves in the historiographic debate on the main themes and problems, also thanks to the use of specific databases. They have acquired useful skills to recognise, classify, critically analyse and contextualise artistic artefacts from the Islamic areas. They are able to present their knowledge effectively in oral and/or written form with the appropriate terminology and with reference to the specialised bibliography. They are able to research and give form, including design, to the results of their own research, and to critically examine materials, bibliographic and documentary sources of different types, in order to organise material and conduct historical-religious investigations

Course contents

THE COURSE WILL TAKE PLACE BETWEEN FEBRUARY AND MARCH 2023

The course explores in detail the art and architecture of the Fatimid dynasty (909-1171). After three introductory classes on early Islamic art and architecture, the following meetings will scrutinize the development of Fatimid art, including its impact on Southern Italy and coeval Coptic artistic production.

1. The beginning of Islamic art
2. Figural images in the early Islamic period: objects and texts
   
3. Hypostile mosques:Ibn Tulun and Qayrawan
   
4. Outline of Fatimid history
5. The Fatimids in Tunisia: Mahdiyya and Sabra al-Mansuriyya
   
6. Foundation of Cairo and the first Fatimid phase in Egypt
   
7. II fatimid phase in Egypt
8. Inscriptions and funerary architecture under the Fatimids
   
9. Fatimid ivories
   
10. Fatimid rock crystals
    
11. Luster ceramic production under the Fatimids
12. Remains of Fatimid figural art and the mosaics in Jerusalem
    
13. Coptic art and architecture under the Fatimids
    
14. The Normans and the Fatimids: the Palatine Chapel in Palermo
15. The Normans and the Fatimids: the mantle of Roger the 2nd

Readings/Bibliography

Markus Hattstein e Peter Delius (eds.), Islam. Arte e architettura, Konemann, 2001, pp. 141-163.

Jonathan M. Bloom, Islamic Art and Architecture in Fatimid North Africa and Egypt, Yale University Press, 2007.

Assadullah Souren Melikian-Chirvani (ed.), The world of the Fatimids, Aga Khan Museum, Hirmer, 2018.

 

Bibliography for those who do not attend the course:

Selected chapters from:

K.A.C. Creswell, The Muslim architecture of Egypt: Vol. 1: Ikhshīds and Fāṭimids: A.D. 939-1171, Oxford University Press, 1978 (capitoli sugli edifici dei Fatimidi).

Markus Hattstein e Peter Delius (eds.), Islam. Arte e architettura, Konemann, 2001, pp. 141-163.

Delia Cortese and Simonetta Calderini, Women and the Fatimids in the world of Islam, Edinburgh University Press, 2006 (capitolo 5).

Jonathan M. Bloom, Islamic Art and Architecture in Fatimid North Africa and Egypt, Yale University Press, 2007.

Assadullah Souren Melikian-Chirvani (ed.), The world of the Fatimids, Aga Khan Museum, Hirmer, 2018.

Teaching methods

Each seminar is subdivided into two sections. A first part consists of a collective discussion on the theme of the day and a second part consists of a frontal lecture offered by the instructor.

Assessment methods

Students who attend at least 75% of the lessons are considered to be attending.

The final mark consists of the average between the assessment of the written essay and the assessment of the final oral exam.

The essay consists of a written piece of around 3000 words on a theme decided together with the professor.

With regard to the written essay, students will be evaluated assessing their skills in:

• Structuring the written essay according to the theme;
• Formulating an accurate formal analysis of the object/building focus of the written essay;
• Reviewing the existing literature;
• Outlining the historical and artistic context of the assigned object/building;
• Producing a written essay provided with high-quality images and a consistent and accurate footnoting and bibliography.

The oral exam consists of an analysis of two objects/buildings discussed during the course and shown in slides during the exam and of a question regarding one of the themes discussed during the course.

In the oral exam the student will be assessed according to the:

• Capacity of analysis developed by the student also at the light of the written essay;
• Command of the specific language of the subject;
• Ability in summarizing the most important topics of the subject.

29-30 e lode: a written essay that successfully meets all the above-mentioned five criteria together with the acquisition by the student of an excellent command of the technical language of the subject and an all-around knowledge of the themes discussed during the oral exam.

25-28: a written essay that successfully meets at least four of the above-mentioned criteria together with the use of a rather correct technical language and an accurate exposition of the subject during the oral exam.

21-24: a written essay that successfully meets at least three of the above mentioned criteria together with some inadequacies in the use of the technical language and a superficial exposition of the subject during the oral exam.

18-20: a written essay that meets at least three of the above mentioned criteria together with a patchy and poor exposition of the subject during the oral exam or a written essay that meets less than three among the above mentioned criteria together with a very basic exposition of the subject during the oral exam.

Failure: a written essay that meets less than three among the above mentioned criteria together with a patchy and poor exposition of the subject during the oral exam.

Contents of the exam for those students who do not attend the course:

Contents of the exam for those students who do not attend the course:

1) Discussion of an essay (of at least 5000 words) devoted to a topic related to Islamic art.

2) Two questions on Topics related to the history of Fatimid art.

Details:

1) The student selects a theme and sends an outline of the essay together with a preliminary bibliography to the professor by email. Once the theme is approved, the student writes the essay and sends it to the professor at least one week before the date of the exam.

2) to prepare the two questions related to the history of Fatimid art (one on architecture and one on objects) the student is invited to read the bibliography listed in the above section "readings/bibliography".

Teaching tools

All seminar presentations and readings will be made available through the e-learning platform (Virtuale).

Office hours

See the website of Mattia Guidetti