Art 383: Medieval Art and Architecture in Europe

Professor Shelley Stone Office: DDH C102

webpage: http://www.csub.edu/~sstone/ e-mail: SStone@CSUB.edu
Office Hours: MW 12-1 PM,TH 11-1 and by appt. Phone: 654-6029

The Middle Ages was a thousand year period (ca. A.D. 400-1400) during which Europe
was dominated by Christianity. During this period art was used almost exclusively in the
service of the Church and illustrates the deep religious fervor of the age. This course will
examine the development of architecture, painting and sculpture during this long and
fascinating period in European culture which divides Classical civilization from the
beginnings of the development of modern culture during the Renaissance. Given the
nature of the art which will be covered, special reference will be given to the significance
of art in illustrating Christian themes.

Course Requirements
Grading for the course will be based on three hour-long examinations (each worth 15%
of the final grade, i.e. 60 points each), three take-home essays (each worth 10% of the
final grade, i.e. 40 points each), a critical book review (worth 15%), and class attendance
(worth 10%). The last requirement suggests that attendance at the scheduled classes
would be prudent, and that assigned readings should be completed before the class to
which they pertain in order to facilitate intelligent discussion.
The two examinations will consist each of two sections. Each will have ten slide
identifications drawn from the pertinent illustrations in the textbook, and four short
answers drawn from six possibilities.
The critical book review should be approximately four pages in length and must be in
some printed format (no hand-written papers accepted). It will be graded on content,
clarity and organization, and mechanics, in that order. Suggested books to be read for the
critical book reviews will be handed out during the second week in class; those who wish
to substitute an alternate tome should consult with the instructor as to its suitability. A
prospectus informing the instructor of the books to be reviewed is due on. The review is
due on November 16.

Attendance
There are 40 points assigned to attendance. It is assumed that you will attend the first
class and the two tests during the scheduled class times. That leaves 15 classes. I will give
you 3 points for each class attended, to a maximum of 39 points (i.e. you need to attend at
least 13 classes beyond the test dates to get all the points. In addition, if you give me a
sheet of paper telling me the book you plan to read for the book review on October 12, I
will give you five points (i.e. the remaining point to reach 40 and four points “extra
credit”).

Handouts and Course Materials

These are available at http://www.csub.edu/Art/sstone.html or the web address at the top
of the page. There is a handout for the quiz and for each test. A copy of the syllabus is
posted there also, as are image files for the course. Go to the Art 383 link, and get these!

ART 383 Page 2

Texts
The text is M. Stokstad. Medieval Art, ed. 2 (Westview, 2004). Additional readings are
available through the Walter Stiern Library. All students should acquire and read all these
texts. Reading for each class is listed in the syllabus after that day’s topic.
The additional readings are from the following books:
George Henderson, Early Medieval (Penguin, 1960s)
Steven Runciman, Byzantine Art and Civilization ( Penguin, 1960s)
Morris Bishop, The Middle Ages (Boston and New York, 1996)
Robert Calkins, Monuments of Medieval Art (Ithaca, NY, 1978)
R. Calkins, Medieval Architecture in Western Europe AD 300 to 1500 (Oxford 1998)
H. and R. Howe, The Medieval World (White Plains, NY, 1987)
N. Cantor, The Medieval Reader (New York, 1994)-these are original source
materials.

Academic Integrity (Dishonesty)

See the current Catalog pp.78-79 for procedures that will occur if you are caught plagiarizing or
cheating in class during a test.

Plagiarism is grounds for failure in this class, although the instructor may choose to fail you only on
the assignment on which you are caught cheating . Expect to be fully conversant with what constitutes
plagiarism – this is a class requirement and part of your Student Learning Outcomes (SLO) – see the
appropriate entry in the accompanying SLO rubric. The Department of History provides a clear
discourse on plagiarism. Use this link to go there: http://www.csub.edu/History/vivianplagiarism.htx.
Ask questions, if you are still unclear.

Class Comportment

It is assumed by the instructor that students who attend the scheduled classes are there to learn
the material. This means that the student will remain attentive and quiet (unless called upon to
speak). Please do not talk in class, its both rude and socially unacceptable and you will irritate
the instructor., who may ask you to leave the class. Students should stay in his or her seat, unless
under severe duress, until the daily break (at about the halfway point in the class) or the end of
class. If you leave class, you should wait to return to your seat until the next break. If you must
leave class early for an important appointment, you should leave at the break, or not come at all.
Not disturbing the class is a common courtesy to your fellow students. Students who fail to meet
these standards will incur the wrath of the instructor.
Cell phones should turned off during class, or, if receiving a call is vital, set to vibrate. When
receiving a phone call, students must leave the classroom, and return at the next break. Please
desist from unprofessional conduct in class, in particular digital
social networking through Facebook, Google Chat, Yahoo IMs,
MySpace, YouTube, Twitter, Bebo, LinkedIn, Nexopia, Hi5, StudiVZ,
iWiW, Tuenti , Decayenne, Tagged, XING, Badoo, Skyrock, Orkut,
Friendster, Mixi, Multiply , Wretch, renren and Cyworld. Or
whatever. Do it after class or at the break.

ART 383 Page 3

Americans with Disabilities Act:

Students that are entitled to accommodations under the ADA should feel free to contact me directly so that
I may ensure proper accommodations. These accommodations will be in complete compliance with the
directives set forth by CSUB’s Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) office.

Course Objectives

1. To learn how to analyze an artistic composition in terms of its "language" of visual symbolism, and to
understand that, when this language is understood, one can interpret these symbols (or "motifs") in terms
of universal human values and/or individual cultural needs. The basic analytic methods learned in this
course can be applied to any work of art, because they can be used to "read" a work of art and sort its
composition into meaningful categories. These skills should be exhibited in the slide identifications.

2. To understand the fundamental importance of visual imagery in a largely non-literate society, and how
visual imagery may serve to instruct its audience as to cultural values and norms. Throughout the period
covered by Art 383, the visual arts were far more important for the instruction of cultural values than they
are today. As a result of this cultural importance, its "language" was far more fixed than in our primarily
aesthetic and /or metaphoric art of today. Students will become familiar with basic art terminology, such
as form and content. The resulting knowledge should be demonstrated in the tests, and in the papers.

3. To understand changes in artistic styles, both in terms of continuing human development and as
expressions of the artistic requirements of diverse cultures. Each student should learn the meaning and
application of basic stylistic categories used in classifying art such as Realistic, Naturalistic, Abstract, and
Expressionistic, as well as how each affects the content (meaning) of works of art. The resulting
knowledge should be demonstrated in the tests, and in the papers.

4. To understand the major social and historical forces which conditioned the art of each period and/or
culture studied. The resulting knowledge should be demonstrated in certain short answers on the tests, and
in the papers.

5. To recognize masterpieces of art which exemplify the visual culture of the period covered by the course.
This will allow the student to create a historical framework of artistic monuments with which to evaluate
and classify works of art of the same cultures and periods that are encountered after he or she has
completed the course The resulting knowledge should be demonstrated in the tests.

6. To understand the interrelationship of the visual arts and other areas in the humanities. This is vital to
the understanding of Medieval art, which illustrates contemporary societal values. The resulting
knowledge should be apparent in your papers.
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SYLLABUS

January 10: Introduction to the course; Roman art and civilization. The origins of
Christianity. Christian art to A.D. 300.
Reading: Stokstad 1-21.

January 12: The development of Christian art and architecture in the 4th and 5th centuries.
Reading: Stokstad 21-44.

January 17: The Age of Justinian (527-565).

Reading: Stokstad 45-55; Runciman, “The Sixth Century Synthesis.”

January 19: Byzantine Art in Ravenna. Iconoclasm (726-843).

Reading: Stokstad 55-74; Calkins “The Centralized Building”

January 24: Middle Byzantine Art (843-1071).

Reading: Stokstad 127-143.

January 26: Islamic Art. Review.

Reading: Stokstad.143-153.

January 31: Test 1 (one hour).The Art of the Barbarian West ca. 500-800.
Reading: Stokstad 75-85; G. Henderson “The Barbarian Tradition.”

Febraury 2: Hiberno-Saxon art. Viking art.

Reading: Stokstad 86-100.

February 7: Charlemagne and Carolingian art.

Reading: Stokstad 101-126. Bishop “An Age of Faith. ” Benedict of Nursia “Rules for
Monks.”

February 9: Ottonian Art. Book Review notice due.

Reading: Stokstad 154-156, 173-190. Calkins “The Illuminated Word.”

February 14: Spanish and Mozarabic Art. Anglo-Saxon art. 157-173The Romanesque Age
(1050-1150/1200): Feudalism and Monasticism in developed European medieval society.
Reading: Stokstad 157-173 ; Bishop “The High Middle Ages”

February 16: Romanesque in Germany, Italy and Catalonia.

Reading: Reading: Stokstad 191-202.

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February 21: Romanesque of the Pilgrimage Roads. Romanesque in Central and Western
France.
Reading: Stokstad 202-222. Howe and Howe “Medieval Society.”

February 23: Romanesque in England and Normandy. Early Gothic in France.

Reading: Reading: Stokstad.222-237. “The Song of Roland: Shame and Dishonor.”

February 28: Early Gothic cont. Review. 2nd Essay handed out
Reading: Reading: Stokstad 238-258. Calkins “The Medieval Artist and Architect.”

March 1: Test 2 (one hour). High (mature) Gothic in France.

Reading: Stokstad 259-285, Calkins “Thirteenth Century Gothic in France.”

March 6: Mature Gothic in England, Germany and Italy. Origins of Rayonnant. Second
Essay due.
Reading: Reading: Stokstad 285-302. Cretien de Troyes “The Psychology of Love.”

March 8: Rayonnant Gothic and its influences.

Reading: Stokstad 303-325.

March 13: Gothic art and architecture in Italy. Book review due. Third Essay handed out.
Reading: Reading: Stokstad 325-334. Petrarch “Secular Humanism.”

March 15: Late Gothic. The end of the Middle Ages. Review.
Reading: Reading: Stokstad 335-353.

The Third Examination is scheduled for Thursday, March 22 from 8-9 P.M. That
time will likely be moved to 6 PM!! The third essay is due at that time or before.