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Academic Year 2005/2006

The Art, Architecture and Archaeology of the Monastic Reform Movement 1050-1250
ARHA 313 SP

In 1098, a small group of men led by Robert of Molesme left their Benedictine Monastery to go into the forest to found a new, purer and more austere utopian community, one modeled on a combination of prayer and manual labor. Their site, Citeaux, gave its name to a new Cistercian order, which created a new restrained form of Romanesque architecture and a non-figural decoration. Attracting visionaries like Bernard of Clairvaux and Ailred of Riveaulx, the Cistercian order created 500 new monasteries and convents during its first 100 years. At the same time, the order struggled with the place of figural art and the role of women in its form of monasticism. This course will consider the evolving Cistercian vision of utopian life, as well as the problems created by new forms of art and architecture, by the order's conflicted view of the role of women in monastic life and by the rapid growth and expansion of the order and the wealth that accompanied it.

MAJOR READINGS

Most of the readings for the class will be assigned from a course packet. The following are required for purchase :

C.H. Lawrence, MEDIEVAL MONASTICISM
G. Coppack, THE WHITE MONKS
M. Lillich, ed., STUDIES IN CISTERCIAN ART AND ARC

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Students will read primary sources in translation and secondary sources on the history, art history and archaeology of the order. They are expected to participate regularly in class discussion, to give mini-reports (5 minutes), to make one 20-minute class presentation and to write a research paper (20 pp.) based on the presentation.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

Permission of Instructor.

COURSE FORMAT: Seminar

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UGRD    Credit: 1    Gen Ed Area Dept: HA ART    Grading Mode: Graded   

Prerequisites: NONE Links to Web Resources For This Course.

Last Updated on MAR-30-2006

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