07490 - Iranian Archaeology and Art History

Learning outcomes

The course aims to introduce the student in the complex field of archaeology of the Iranian world, with particular reference to the territories of the Iranian plateau, through the presentation of the main archaeological evidence illustrated according to a historical-cultural perspective, also aimed at highlighting specific conservation issues. At the end of the course, the student has acquired a knowledge of the main archaeological evidence of the area under examination, is able to place them in the cultural-historical context and to understand the specific conservation issues, is able to learn from experts in other fields and identify relationships with other disciplines, has methodological rigor and accuracy.

Course contents

The 20 hours of frontal lesson are related to the cultural-historical issues of the Iranian world, necessary for a cultural framework of the subject of the course. An examination of the sources will be proposed. The 40 hours in e-learning mode concerning the archaeological evidence of Iran from the 7th century B.C. to the 7th century A.D. allow an introduction to the archaeology and art history of Iran from the Medians to the Sasanids. In this part of the course will be proposed the examination of the main archaeological, architectural and artistic testimonies, in a descriptive approach, however, not without a critical guide. The detailed contents are listed in the course index on the web page.

Readings/Bibliography

For the historical part, whose general knowledge is necessary, we recommend reading J. Wiesehöfer, La Persia Antica, Bologna, il Mulino, 2003. For the geographical part, knowledge of the main regions of the Iranian world is compulsory, with a study always accompanied by a map.
For the part concerning the archaeological evidence, whose detailed knowledge is compulsory to pass the exam, in the absence of an updated and reliable manual, the student is invited to refer exclusively to the materials proposed on the site.

Teaching methods

The course is given in blended learning mode, with 20 hours of frontal lessons on the cultural-historical issues of the Iranian world and 40 hours in e-learning mode on the archaeological evidence of Iran from the 7th century BC to the 7th century AD, divided into 20 teaching units. Together with the texts, the 20 units will also contain illustrative material (graphs and figures). Attendance at the frontal lesson hours, which is not obligatory, is in any case strongly recommended.
Given the remoteness of the culture of ancient Iran from the programs of the upper secondary school, we insist on the explanation of the fundamental concepts rather than the illustration of the individual notions, which are constantly connected to the overall picture.

At the end of the lessons in e-learning, the teacher is available for further meetings with the students to clarify any points that have remained unclear from the channels of dialogue with the teacher provided by the e-learning platform.

Assessment methods

Oral examination, with the possibility to have tests on individual parts of the program on request. The purpose of the oral examination is to assess the acquisition of basic knowledge in the field of archaeology of Iran, both those related to architectural and artistic evidence and those of geographical and historical contexts. Particular attention will therefore be given to the solidity of the chrono-geographic reference framework of each site and monument. The acquisition of the specialist language is not considered a necessary requirement for passing a three-year course examination, but will nevertheless be evaluated positively.

The aim of the exam is also to verify the methodological and critical skills acquired by the student. Given the importance of attendance at the introductory lessons and active participation in the e-learning forum, two different evaluation parameters will be adopted, for students attending and for non-frequent students who have not participated in the forum.

Attending students

Attendance at the introductory lessons and participation in the e-learning forum will influence the final evaluation with 30%.

In particular, the student's ability to actively participate in the lessons will be evaluated, also through the use of multimedia tools provided in e-learning; these skills, added to the achievement of a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter dealt with during the lessons, with the demonstration of critical sense and with adequate means of verbal expression, will be evaluated with the highest scores excellent = A (27-30 with honors).

Attendance and participation in the forum, associated with a predominantly mnemonic acquisition of the subject of the course and verbal expression and logical skills not fully satisfactory, will be evaluated with scores between good (B = 24-26) and satisfactory (C = 21-23).

Attendance and participation in the forum, combined with a minimum acquisition of the subject of the course and inadequate verbal expression and logical ability, will be assessed with sufficient marks (D = 18-20).

The absence of a minimum acquisition of the course subject combined with verbal expression and inadequate logical skills, will be evaluated with an insufficient score (E), even in the presence of assiduous attendance and participation in the forum.

Non-frequent students

Non-frequent students will be assessed mainly on their ability to use the bibliography and multimedia tools provided to appropriately display the course content. This ability, combined with the achievement of an exhaustive understanding of the subject matter dealt with during the lessons, with the demonstration of critical sense and with adequate means of verbal expression, will be assessed with the highest scores excellent = A (27-30 with honors).

A predominantly mnemonic acquisition of the subject of the course, with verbal expression and logical abilities not fully satisfactory, will be assessed with scores between good (B = 24-26) and satisfactory (C = 21-23).

A minimum acquisition of the subject of the course, with verbal expression and inadequate logical ability, will be assessed with satisfactory marks (D = 18-20).

The absence of a minimum acquisition of the subject of the course combined with verbal expression and inadequate logical ability will be assessed with insufficient marks (E).

Teaching tools

In the 20 teaching units taught in e-learning, in addition to the texts, illustrative materials (graphics and figures) will also be contained.

Office hours

See the website of Pierfrancesco Callieri