07855 - Islamic Art and Archaeology

Learning outcomes

It covers the study of the archaeological excavations, the artistic and architectural heritage, the epigraphic finds and the material culture of the vast area, from the Atlantic to China, over which Islam spread or interacted with it, from its origins to the modern age, conducted according to the methodologies and techniques of archaeology and art history. At the end of the course, the student is familiar with the main themes of the architectural and artistic culture of the Islamic world, chosen according to a monographic approach supported by an introduction to the basic knowledge of the discipline; he/she is familiar with the most important methodological and documentation tools for carrying out research and for the historical contextualisation of problems; he/she is able to set up initial research using different documentary sources autonomously.

Course contents

The shaping processes of Islamic society through the birth and development of architecture and the main ceramic productions.

The course focuses mainly on the birth and development of Islamic architecture in urban and extra-urban areas and the most important ceramic productions returned by excavations between the end of the 7th and the 11th century. Through the presentation of case studies, the evolution of the main architectural typologies - religious and civil/public - will be analysed in the Umayyad period and continuing in the subsequent Abbasid period up to the beginning of the so-called 'non-caliphal dynasties'.

Particular attention will be paid to the analysis of construction techniques, including those of ceramic working processes, analysing in detail the innovative elements and those of continuity with earlier traditions.

The initial lessons of the course will be devoted to an introduction that discusses the formative process of the Islamic religion and its related society. One hour will be devoted to presenting the main museum collections of Islamic art and archaeology, national and international.

Readings/Bibliography

Programme for attending students:

Ettinghausen Richard, Grabar Oleg, Jenkins-Madina Marilyn, The Art and Architecture of Islam 650-1250, Mapin Publishing/Yale University Press. Ahmedabad/New Haven-London 2001, pp. 1-73, 78-79.

Scerrato Umberto, Grandi monumenti. Islam. Milano 1972, pp. 8-55.

Monneret de Villard Ugo, Introduzione allo studio dell’archeologia islamica. Le origini e il periodo omayyade. Venezia-Roma 1968.

 

Programme for not-attending students:

Ettinghausen Richard, Grabar Oleg, Jenkins-Madina Marilyn, The Art and Architecture of Islam 650-1250, Mapin Publishing/Yale University Press. Ahmedabad/New Haven-London 2001, pp. 1-73, 78-79.

Scerrato Umberto, Grandi monumenti. Islam. Milano 1972, pp. 8-55.

Monneret de Villard Ugo, Introduzione allo studio dell’archeologia islamica. Le origini e il periodo omayyade. Venezia-Roma 1968.

Creswell K.A.C., A Short Account of Early Muslim Architecture (Revised and supplemented by James W. ALLAN). Aldershot 1989; pp. 3-36, 46-72, 91-126, 135-163, 179-212, 236-240, 248-257, 291-300, 315-342, 359-374, 391-405.

 

Recommended reading (but not required for the oral exam):

Leonardo Capezzone, Medioevo arabo. Una storia dell’Islam medievale (VII-XV secolo), Milano 2016.

 

Teaching methods

Lectures feature PowerPoint presentations.

The course aims to introduce the student to the main problems of the proposed research theme. Emphasis is placed on the methodological research approach in order to stimulate the student's critical reflection.

In-depth study texts, online resources, pertinent conferences and exhibitions are pointed out.

 

Assessment methods

The examination consists of an oral interview to assess the critical and methodological skills acquired by the student and the acquisition of basic knowledge in the field of Islamic archaeology.

In addition to mastering the contents, the ability to synthesise and analyse archaeological themes and problems and express oneself adequately and in language appropriate to the subject matter will be assessed.

The complete acquisition of these skills and the achievement of a comprehensive understanding of the subject will be assessed with marks of excellence (27-30 with distinction).

A predominantly mnemonic acquisition of the course subject, with verbal expression and logical skills not entirely satisfactory, will be assessed with fair grades (24-26).

A minimal acquisition of the course subject, with inadequate verbal expression and logical abilities, will be assessed with marks just above sufficient (18-24).

A minimal acquisition of the course subject, verbal expression, and inadequate logical ability will be graded as insufficient.

Teaching tools

Projection of images and, when possible, distribution of teaching material in pdf format.

 

Students who are affected by learning disability (DSA) and in need of special strategies to compensate it, are kindly requested to contact the Teacher, in order to be referred to the colleagues in charge and get proper advice and instructions.

Office hours

See the website of Serenella Mancini