**TENTATIVE SYLLABUS**
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ARTH200: ART AND SOCIETY
IN ANCIENT AND MEDIEVAL EUROPE AND THE MEDITERRANEAN
UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND AT COLLEGE PARK
ALL ONLINE Summer Session II July 10-August 20, 2017
Instructor: Sara Berkowitz, PhD Candidate
Email: [email protected]
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© 2017 S.K. Berkowitz
Lectures and course materials are copyright protected and written instructor consent must be obtained for
reproduction or distribution of lecture notes or course material, especially for commercial use. You may
not distribute, sell, or upload to the Internet any of the course content.
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course is designed to introduce you to some of the principal works of ancient and medieval Western
art and architecture. Throughout the semester, we will examine art created in two and three dimensions,
including sculpture, architecture, and painting. This course adopts a chronological approach to the study
of, and intersections between, art and society in ancient and medieval Europe and the 2 Mediterranean.
We begin with the art of ancient Egypt and end with developments in the Middle Ages. We emphasize the
historical, religious, political, social, and cultural contexts of the works studied; the relationship of the
works of art to the society that created them; and the interrelationships of these societies as seen through
their material and visual culture.
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ARTH 200 is deliberately broad in its chronological overview of a 2,500 year period across Europe and
the Mediterranean. In order to teach such an expansive history of art in a meaningful way, the scope of
this course is limited to just a few highlights of Western art and architecture. Please note that the
Department of Art History & Archaeology at the University of Maryland offers introductory and
advanced courses in the art history of other cultures and periods as well.
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COURSE OBJECTIVES:
Broadly speaking, the goal of this class is to help you to understand the concepts, principles, and
vocabulary necessary for analyzing and understanding art produced in a variety of media and by different
cultures – in other words, how sculptures, paintings, and buildings are made; who makes them; and why.
A major aim of this course is to teach you how to analyze visual phenomena and to write formal analyses
of works of art and architecture. In so doing, you will learn not only about the works of art themselves,
but also about the periods and cultures in which they were produced. By the end of this course, you will
be able to:
• Distinguish art and architecture from various time periods based upon differences in style,
material, and/or function;
• Identify rulers and major monuments from the ancient through the medieval periods;
• Articulate the similarities and differences between the art and architecture produced in disparate
periods and by different artists and artisans;
• Consider questions of patronage (elite, middle, and lower classes) and context (public, domestic,
funerary);
• Contribute to lively and engaged class discussion and debate; • Further develop skills in written
and oral communication.
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Moreover, a student who successfully completes this course for the Humanities General Education
credit will be able to:
• Demonstrate familiarity and facility with fundamental terminology and concepts in art history
and archaeology;
• Articulate understanding of the methods used by scholars in art history and archaeology;
• Exhibit critical thinking in the evaluation of sources and arguments in scholarly works in art
history and archaeology;
• Demonstrate the ability to formulate a thesis related to a specific topic in ancient and medieval
art history and archaeology and to support the thesis with evidence and argumentation.
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A student who successfully completes this course for the Plural Societies General Education credit will
be able to:
• Demonstrate understanding of the cultural, historical, social, economic, and ideological basis of
human diversity;
• Express understanding of the fundamental concepts and methods that produce knowledge about
ancient and medieval European and Mediterranean societies;
• Analyze forms and traditions of thought or expression in relation to cultural, historical, political,
and social contexts;
• Use a comparative and/or intersectional and/or relational framework to examine the cultures of
two or more social groups or constituencies in the ancient and medieval Mediterranean and
European worlds.
EMAIL/TELEPHONE:
You can contact me through ELMS messaging or email me at [email protected]. I can also be reached
by telephone at 516-457-9399 during daytime, weekday hours. I will return your messages within 24
hours. I can also arrange for a video conference on Skype, and at least one telephone or conference call
will be required over the course of the semester. Please be polite and err on the side of formality in all
communications.
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OFFICE HOURS:
I will hold office hours TBD and by appointment. During that time, I will be available for web chat or to
speak over the telephone.
TEXTBOOK:
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Either:
P. Davies et. al. (eds.), Janson’s History of Art: The Western Tradition Volume I, Eighth Edition
(Prentice Hall 2011; ISBN-10 0205685188).
Or:
P. Davies et. al. (eds.), Janson’s History of Art: The Western Tradition Volume I, Reissued Eighth
Edition (Prentice Hall 2015; ISBN-10 0133910113).
*The required text is available for purchase on Amazon.com and other online retailers. The original
eighth edition, published in 2011, is less expensive than the reissued edition of 2015. Either edition is
fine, but be advised that there are some small differences between the two texts. The assigned readings
given below (see ‘Course Calendar’) are keyed to the 2011 edition in deference to the books’ cost; if you
are using the 2015 version, it will be your responsibility to ensure that you are reading the correct pages
whenever discrepancies occur.
*Subject to change
Please order this book immediately, as you will need them from the first day. I will supply all
other assigned readings as downloadable pdf files or links on ELMS.
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Each week, you will read essential excerpts that focus upon individual monuments and themes and will
introduce you to a variety of methods of analysis and scholarly points of view. Assigned readings are
fundamental to the overall trajectory of this course and its content. As such, please note that readings
provide a central focus for class discussion. Moreover, essay questions on the final exam will be based
directly on the readings. The reading assignments for each week are listed in the syllabus. Students should
read the assignments before class to ensure the fullest understanding of the material and most fruitful
discussion. For more details, see below, ‘Course Calendar.’ Although not required, the following is an
invaluable resource that you may want to buy. Copies are widely available and relatively inexpensive
when purchased used from vendors such as Amazon.
• Barnet, S. A Short Guide to Writing about Art (the most recent edition is from 2010, although
any earlier edition is also fine).
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THINKING VISUALLY:
The visual arts convey ideas – be they philosophical, political, or religious – as forcefully as the written
word. The cliché that “a picture is worth a thousand words” is not without justification. In this course, you
will learn to unveil the meanings of works of art for yourself. To extract meaning from a work of art, you
will have to use your eyes to analyze visual material as you probably seldom have done. At the same time
that you learn to use your eyes analytically, you will need to master a new vocabulary. Many of the
specialized terms used to refer to art will be unfamiliar; it is imperative to learn them as if you were
learning vocabulary in an introductory language course. You will also need to learn a variety of names
and general dates.
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ELMS:
This course takes place exclusively on ELMS and is centered on virtual lectures and participatory
assignments. You are responsible for regularly checking ELMS and making sure your internet service is
properly functioning. Reliable internet and computer access are essential for this course. Go to
https://myELMS.umd.edu/. Use your UMD directory ID and password to log into ELMS. Select “ARTH
200” to access the course site. Please familiarize yourself with the ELMS system immediately and make
sure your e-mail address is updated in Testudo (http://testudo.umd.edu). Also download the Canvas
Instructure application (free) to your cell phone. Search Canvas Instructure in your phone’s app store.
Then follow instructions to install and open. You will be asked for your UMD directory ID and password
to log in. This should allow you to post cell phone footage to class discussion.
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CLASS COMPORTMENT:
All students are expected to observe basic tenets of common decency and acceptable behavior that are
conducive to a positive learning environment, online as they would in person. Plan to allocate a
substantial amount of focused time on classwork. Keep in mind that the format of this course is
condensed. You will be doing a semester’s worth of work (and accordingly earning a semester’s worth of
credits) in a six-week period.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND EXPECTATIONS:
1) Lecture and participation: “Attendance” of all lectures (virtually) and active participation are
mandatory. Lectures with their accompanying PowerPoints will be posted four times a week, by or before
4:00pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. You should plan to allot no less than one hour each of
those days for just for lecture and the chance to review any links the instructor provides to go along with
the lecture material. You should allot significant additional time for your participation, reading, and
writing. Participation involves posting questions and comments to the ELMS discussion board in a timely
fashion, responding to and helping fellow students, peer review, peer editing, and communicating with
the instructor. Please feel free to ask me questions that relate to course content and are not answered on
the syllabus. Your thoughtful input is always welcome. I would like to know what interests you!
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2) Readings: You are expected to read all of the assigned materials for this class, and your
reading responses, midterm, and final are designed to ensure you are keeping up with the lectures and
texts.
3) Reading Responses (6 total): These are approximately weekly assignments, which may
include reading summaries and/or responses question prompts asking you to analyze authors’ arguments
or relate primary sources to images. Students will submit all responses through “Assignments” on ELMS
(except for the first). Late work will not be accepted, and I encourage you to submit early. You will
receive feedback from the instructor and be graded both on content (how thoroughly and convincingly
you respond to the prompt, how well you incorporate art historical methodologies and vocabulary) and
style (grammar, syntax, paragraph structure, logical argumentation).
4) Digital Exhibition Project: (*SUBJECT TO CHANGE) A core component of this course is
a digital exhibition using Google Art Project. After determining a theme for their show (in consultation
with the instructor and based on course content and personal interest), students will choose five works of
art that are available in Google’s digital collection. Students will compose paragraph-long “labels” for
each art object, connecting each individual work back to their larger exhibition theme. They will also
write a multi-paragraph, introductory “wall text” summarizing the exhibition theme and the purpose of
the exhibition. They will also produce a “teaser” video advertising their exhibition. There will be
opportunities to provide peer review and peer editing during this multi-step project.
5) Midterm and Final Exams:
A) Midterm: You will receive approximately two compare and contrast essay prompts.
They will ask you to compare and contrast works of art that have been covered in lecture and/or readings.
There may also be a creative drawing component. You will not be graded on the quality of your drawing
but rather on its content and how you explain it.
B) Final Exam: You will receive approximately three compare and contrast essay
prompts. They will ask you to compare and contrast works of art that have been covered in lecture and/or
readings over the entire semester. There may also be a creative drawing component. You will not be
graded on the quality of your drawing but rather on its content and how you explain it.
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GRADING:
Lecture and Participation 10%
Reading responses (6) 30%
Digital exhibition project 30%
Midterm and Final 30% (15% each)
A Range
(97-100)
(93-96)
(90-92)
(87-89)
(83-86)
(80-82)
C+
C
CD+
D
DF
(77-79)
(73-76)
(70-72)
(67-69)
(63-66)
(60-62)
(0-59)
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B Range
A+
A
AB+
B
B-
C Range
D Range
F
Indicates general excellence; the student displays initiative,
independence, and originality.
Indicates an strong grasp of the fundamental facts and principles
of the course content and ability to use them effectively; work is
logically organized and technically correct; the student often
shows some initiative.
Indicates the student has a fair knowledge of the facts and
principles and is able to apply them reasonably well.
Indicates work is of inferior quality yet deserving of credit.
Indicates a failure to grasp the facts and principles or a failure to
complete the assigned work.
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COURSE POLICIES:
Participation/Attendance: consistent participation/attendance via ELMS is necessary for overall
success and to ensure that the participation portion of your section grade is satisfactory.
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Except for a Major Scheduled Grading Event (exam, project), you may have two unexcused
absences. Otherwise you must present official written documentation as described in the next
four sections.
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As this is a condensed class format, you may NOT miss more than FOUR lectures (counted
through discussion on ELMS) or you will NOT pass this class.
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Absence for a Major Scheduled Grading Event or scheduled section activity: please let me
know as soon as possible of the legitimate reason for this absence and provide official written
documentation (doctor, hospital, court, etc.) in order to be eligible for an extended deadline.
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Advanced notice of necessary absence: Please inform the instructor in advance of known
necessary absences (medical, legal, religious, or otherwise).
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Prolonged absence or illness: Please present official written documentation verifying dates
when you were unable to meet academic responsibilities. Please keep the instructor informed.
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Missed or late assignments: A late assignment will have 5 points deducted from its earned
grade for every day late, unless you have notified us as soon as possible of the emergency that
prevents you from handing in work.
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Syllabus subject to change: I will provide an updated syllabus if situations require it.
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EXPECTATIONS:
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What you can expect of the instructor:
I will make my best efforts to provide high-quality instruction.
I will evaluate your work fairly and without personal bias according to standards set out above in
the syllabus (“Grades”).
I will discuss, at your request, the coursework or your performance and to provide assistance and
advice on studying, writing, and testing.
I will listen attentively and respectfully to your concerns, treat them fairly, and help find
reasonable solutions whenever possible.
I will communicate the course content, assignments, important dates, and class and university
policies in the syllabus, and notify you in a timely manner of changes via the course ELMS
website, or emails
I will preserve the value of the University of Maryland diploma by upholding standards of
academic quality and integrity.
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What I expect of you:
Your best effort to do quality work and to adhere to standards of integrity
Your pursuit of appropriate means to complete tasks (for example: allowing adequate time to
study and prepare assignments; visiting the Writing Center; using spellcheck and grammar
hotlines when needed; seeking help from the instructor).
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Your engagement and respect for your classmates and the instructor.
Your timely communication with the instructor about your problems understanding course
material, assignments, or taking exams, as well as about situations that prevent your participation
for short or extended periods of time.
Your awareness of important dates and of class and university policies as they appear on the
syllabus and course website, and your meeting of deadlines.
Your understanding that: I must grade you on the quality of the work you have done (not on work
you might have done in different circumstances); a final grade reflects an entire semester’s
performance in a variety of areas; I cannot make significant exceptions or exemptions for
individuals because those exceptions would be unfair to the efforts of other students in the class.
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OFFICIAL LANGUAGE OF UNIVERSITY POLICIES/ADDITIONAL POLICIES
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ATTENDANCE: Students are expected to attend classes regularly, for consistent attendance offers the most
effective opportunity open to all students to gain command of the concepts and materials of their courses of study.
In some courses attendance and in-class participation are ongoing requirements and an integral part of the work of
the course.
ABSENCE: Except during a Major Scheduled Grading Event, students may be excused from a single lecture,
recitation or laboratory session one time per course per semester for a medically necessitated reason. The student
should . . . present his or her instructor with a self-signed note attesting to the date of his or her illness. This note
must include an acknowledgement: (a) that the information provided is true and correct, and (b) that the student
understands that providing false information to University officials is a violation of Part 9(h) of the Code of Student
Conduct. Students who miss a Major Scheduled Grading Event due to illness or who have a prolonged absence
due to illness (multiple consecutive absences due to the same illness) shall be required to provide his or her
instructor with written documentation of the illness from the University Health Center or from his or her own health
care provider. The University Health Center or health care provider shall verify dates of treatment and indicate the
dates the student was unable to meet academic responsibilities. Absence due to religious observance will not be
penalized, however, it is the student’s responsibility to notify the instructor within the first 3 weeks of class
regarding any religious observance absence(s) for the entire semester.
ABSENCE AND EXAMS/PAPERS: An instructor is not under obligation to offer a substitute assignment or to
give a student a make-up assessment unless the failure to perform was due to an excused absence . . . Students
claiming excused absence must apply in writing and furnish documentary support for their assertion that absence
resulted from one of these causes. The make-up assessment or substitute assignment must be at a time and place
mutually agreeable to the instructor and student, cover only the material for which the student was originally
responsible, and be at a comparable level of difficulty with the original assessment. In the event that a group of
students requires the same make-up assessment or substitute assignment, one time and place may be scheduled.
FINAL EXAM: A student may seek to reschedule final examinations so that he or she has no more than three (3)
examinations on any given day. It is the responsibility of the student to initiate the rescheduling or be responsible for
taking the examination as originally scheduled. When rescheduling is desired, the student should first contact his or
her class instructor(s). Faculty members are expected to accommodate students with legitimate rescheduling
requests . . . [student’s] failure to reschedule a final examination before conclusion of the final examination period
may result in loss of credits during the semester . . . in cases of illness or compelling circumstances beyond the
students control, the student must inform the instructor as soon as the reason develops, or as soon as possible after
its development.
HONOR CODE: The student-administered Honor Code and Honor Pledge prohibit students from cheating on
exams, plagiarizing papers, submitting the same paper for credit in two courses without authorization, buying
papers, submitting fraudulent documents and forging signatures. On every examination, paper or other academic
exercise not specifically exempted by the instructor, students must write by hand and sign the following pledge: I
pledge on my honor that I have not given or received any unauthorized assistance on this examination (or
assignment). Allegations of academic dishonesty will be reported directly to the Student Honor Council//
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: The University of Maryland is committed to providing appropriate
accommodations for students with disabilities. Students with a documented disability should inform the
instructors within the add-drop period if academic accommodations are needed. To obtain an Accommodation Letter
prepared by Disability Support Service (DSS), a division of the University Counseling Center, students must submit
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disability documentation. Complete registration materials, and engage in an interactive process that will allow DSS
to determine eligibility for services and accommodations.
DIVERSITY: The University of Maryland values the diversity of its student body. Along with the University, we
are committed to providing a classroom atmosphere that encourages the equitable participation of all students
regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, national origin, race, religion, or sexual orientation. Potential
devaluation of students in the classroom that can occur by reference to demeaning stereotypes of any group and/or
overlooking the contributions of a particular group to the topic under discussion is inappropriate.
REPORTING SEXUAL AND RELATIONSHIP VIOLENCE: The University of Maryland is committed to
providing support and resources, including academic accommodations, for students who experience sexual or
relationship violence (as defined by the University’s Sexual Misconduct Policy). To report an incident and/or
obtain an academic accommodation, contact the Office of Civil Rights and Sexual Misconduct at 301-405-1142. If
you wish to speak confidentially, contact Campus Advocates Respond and Educate (CARE) to Stop Violence at
301-741-3555. Disclosures made to faculty are not confidential and must be reported to the Office of Civil Rights
and Sexual misconduct.
COURSE EVALUATIONS are a part of the process by which the University of Maryland seeks to improve
teaching and learning. Your participation in this official system is critical to the success of the process, and all
information submitted to CourseEvalUM is confidential. Instructors can only view group summaries of evaluations
and cannot identify which submissions belong to which students.
Most of these policies can be found in the 2017 Undergraduate Catalog
http://www.umd.edu/catalog/index.cfm/show/content.section/c/88/s/1222
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**The following is a tentative schedule. It is subject to change and revision at any time. You will
be notified of changes through ELMS.**
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CALENDAR OF TOPICS AND DATES:
The Calendar outlines the dates on which we will likely cover specific topics. I will let you know if we
slow down or move ahead more quickly relative to the Calendar.
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WEEK 1- Week of July 10
Introduction and Course Overview. Themes, Art Historical Terminology
Tuesday, July 11
Introduction to Visual Analysis
Wednesday, July 12
ASSIGNMENT #1 due by 5pm: Introduce yourself on ELMS discussion forum
and contribute to a class-wide visual analysis of an image posted on ELMS
• SIGNED CONTRACT DUE TO TA AT BEGINNING OF LECTURE.
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Monday, July 10
Thursday, July 13
Egyptian Art in the Age of the Pyramids
• JANSON, pp. 49-62
Friday, July 14
Monuments of Kingship: The Middle and New Kingdoms
• JANSON, pp. 62-72
• ASSIGNMENT #2 DUE by 5pm
WEEK 2- Week of July 17
Akhenaten and Amarna
• JANSON, pp. 72-77.
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Monday, July 17
The Greek Genesis: Geometric and Orientalizing Art.
• JANSON, pp. 103-109.
Thursday, July 20
Archaic Sculpture.
• JANSON, pp. 113-123.
• ASSIGNMENT #3 DUE by 5pm
Friday, July 21
Classical Greek Sculpture
• JANSON, pp. 123-27
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Tuesday, July 18
WEEK 3- Week of July 24
Monday, July 24
Aspects of Architectural Analysis. Archaic Architecture
• JANSON, pp. 109-113, 115-116, 118-119
Tuesday, July 25
Heroes and Paradigms: The Temple of Zeus at Olympia
• JANSON, pp. 127-29
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Monuments of Democracy and the Empire on the Athenian Acropolis
• JANSON, pp. 130-41
• ASSIGNMENT #4 DUE by 5pm
Friday, July 28
The Art and Architecture of Etruria and the Roman Republic
• JANSON, pp. 175-78, 181-95
WEEK 4- Week of July 31
Art of the early Roman Empire
• JANSON, pp. 195-216
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Monday, July 31
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Thursday, July 27
Tuesday, August 1
The Roman Portrait
• TBD
Thursday, August 3
Art and Society in the Private Sphere on the Bay of Naples
• JANSON, pp. 216-22
• ASSIGNMENT #5 DUE by 5pm
Friday, August 4
Image and Religion in Late Antiquity
• JANSON, pp. 235-45
WEEK 5- Week of August 7
Early Christian Art and Architecture
• JANSON, pp. 245-54
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Monday, August 7
Tuesday, August 8
The Medieval East: Glories of Byzantium
• JANSON, pp. 254-62
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Thursday, August 10 Pilgrimage Art in the Holy Land
• JANSON, pp. 262-76
• ASSIGNMENT #5 DUE by 5pm
Friday, August 11
The Medieval East: the Material Culture of Early Islam
• JANSON, pp. 279-85
Week 6- Week of August 14
Final Exam: You will receive approximately three compare and contrast essay prompts. They will ask
you to compare and contrast works of art that have been covered in lecture and/or readings over the entire
semester. There may also be a creative drawing component. You will not be graded on the quality of your
drawing but rather on its content and how you explain it. You will receive the prompts Monday August
14 and the essay exam will be due Friday, August 17.
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The Medieval West: Umayyad Córdoba and Mozarabic Spain
• JANSON, pp. 286-87
Tuesday, August 15
The Crusades and Romanesque Europe
• JANSON, pp. 347-49, 354-55, 358-62, 373-74
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Monday, August 14
Thursday, August 16 The Development of Gothic Art and Architecture
• JANSON, pp. 389-413
• ASSIGNMENT #6 DUE by 5pm
FINAL EXAM DUE BY 5PM
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Friday, August 17
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AGREEMENT WITH ARTH 200 COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
I have read the syllabus for ARTH 200: Art and Society in Ancient and Medieval Europe and the
Mediterranean (Summer 2017), including the passages from the Code of Academic Integrity.
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I understand all the requirements for this course, including attendance and participation; assigned
readings; exams; and assignments.
I understand that if I have questions or concerns, I may contact Instructor Sara Berkowitz via email at
[email protected], by phone, or arrange an appointment during office hours.
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Student’s Name (print):
_______________________________________________________________________
Student’s Signature:
_______________________________________________________________________
Date: _______________________________________________________________________
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After you have read the syllabus, please sign, scan, and email this page to the instructor by the end of the
first week.
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