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Islamic Art and Architecture
ARHA280 SP

This course is a thematic introduction to the history of Islamic art and architecture from the time of the Prophet Muhammad through its seventeenth century culmination in the period of the great Islamic empires of the Ottomans, Safavids, and Mughals. All major genres of Islamic art will be considered including religious and secular architecture, the arts of the book (calligraphy and painting) and decorative arts. Some of the broader issues to be examined include the allegedly anti-iconic nature of Islamic art; relations between Islamic art and preexisting traditions in territories absorbed by Islam (Byzantine, Persian, Central Asian, Indian); and the problem of what makes Islamic art Islamic.

MAJOR READINGS

Richard Bulliet, "Pottery Styles and Social Status in Medieval Khurasan" Barbara Brend, ISLAMIC ART Sheila R. Canby, PERSIAN PAINTING K.A.C. Creswall, EARLY MUSLIM ARCHITECTURE Richard M. Eaton, "Temple Desecration and the Image of the Holy Warrior in Indo-Muslim Historiography" Lisa Golombek, "The Draped Universe of Islam" Oleg Grabar, THE FORMATION OF ISLAMIC ART Marshall G.S. Hodgson, THE VENTURE OF ISLAM A.S. Melikian-Chirvani, "The Light of Heaven and Earth: from the CHAHAR-TAQ to the MIHRAB" Gulru Necipoglu, ARCHITECTURE, CEREMONIAL, AND POWER: THE TOPKAPI PALACE IN THE FIFTEENTH AND SIXTEENTH CENTURIES Andrew Rippin, MUSLIMS: THEIR RELIGIOUS BELIEFS AND PRACTICES Yasser Tabbaa, "The Muqarnas Dome: its Origin and Meaning"

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Three short essays, quiz, mid-term, and final. Regular attendance and reading of all assigned materials.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

Unless preregistered students attend the first class meeting or communicate directly with the instructor prior to the first class, they will be dropped from the class list. NOTE: Students must still submit a completed Drop/Add form to the Registrar's Office.

COURSE FORMAT: Lecture

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

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

Prerequisites: NONE

Last Updated on MAR-24-2000


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