Spring 2014

Italian Renaissance Art (Arts 15361-01)

Professor Julia C. Fischer

Department of Art, College of Fine Arts and Communication, Lamar University Classroom: Dishman 101 Class Time: Tuesday/Thursday 3:50-5:10 Ofce: Dishman 202A Ofce Hours: Tuesdays 11-1 and by appointment Virtual Ofce Hours By Appointment: Via skype (username julia.c.scher) Email: julia.scher@lamar.edu Ofce Phone: 409-880-7784 (the best way to contact me is via email) Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FischerArtHistory Twitter: https://twitter.com/FischerArtHist
COURSE DESCRIPTION AND STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES This course will introduce students to the history of painting, sculpture, and architecture in Italy during the Renaissance from the Trecento to the Cinquecento (1200-1600). Lectures will serve as an introduction to the major artists of the period as well as to the functions, themes, and patronage behind their most signicant works. We will focus on the major urban centers (Florence, Rome, Siena, Venice) as well as some of the Italian courts (Mantua, Milan), each of which had its own distinctive artistic tradition and system of patronage. Among the artists and architects discussed will be Giotto, Masaccio, Ghiberti, Brunelleschi, Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Andrea Mantegna, Bramante, Michelangelo, Raphael, and Titian, among many others. We will also discuss the relevant ancient and medieval background that Renaissance art and architecture grew from. Although this is a lecture class, we will often have discussion as a group based not only on the images were looking at but also on the reading, so it is important to keep up. Upon successful completion of this course, students will !Recognize the visual characteristics of period and individual styles through a study of major monuments from Trecento to the Cinquecento. !Learn to situate works of art and architecture within their cultural context through interdisciplinary methodologies. !Analyze and evaluate Italian Renaissance artworks beyond considerations of style and authorship, understanding their creation in the context of the religious, political, and social concerns of the period. !Acquire prociency in the principles of visual analysis. !Use critical thinking skills in order to interpret, analyze, and assess works of art based upon formal concerns, iconography, and historical context. !Improve visual literacy.

Italian Renaissance Art - Spring 2014!

Introduction to Conversational French

REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS All readings must be completed before class. Your required reading is listed in the far right column of the Course Schedule. The following three books are available at the university bookstore: Laurie Schneider Adams, Italian Renaissance Art Ross King, Brunelleschis Dome Robert Edsel, Saving Italy: The Race to Rescue a Nations Treasures from the Nazis You also will be required to regularly read sections of Giorgio Vasaris Lives of the Artists, which can be found online: http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/basis/vasari/vasari-lives.html. Additional readings will be posted on Blackboard from the following: Frederick Hartt, A History of Italian Renaissance Art, 7th edition George L. Hersey, High Renaissance Art in St. Peters and the Vatican: An Interpretive Guide Whitney Chadwick, Women, Art, and Society BLACKBOARD This course has a Blackboard component which can be accessed through your https:// my.wip.lamar.edu/ account. On Blackboard, there are links to essential materials such as the syllabus, handouts, powerpoints, and announcements. Any changes to the schedule will be announced in class or via email. You are responsible for checking your Lamar email account and Blackboard on a regular basis! COURSE REQUIREMENTS Your grade will be based on ve weighted evaluations: 1.)! Midterm Exam 1: 20% 2.)! Final Exam: 25% 3.)! Short Papers (2): 30% 4.)! Research Paper: 20% 5.)! Attendance and Participation: 5% The grading scale I employ is a traditional 100% system: A = 90-100%, B = 80-89%, C = 70-79%, D = 60-69%, F = 59% and below." No public posting of grades will ever be made so please keep a written tally of your exams and papers. I will not respond to emails asking me what your current grade is. There will be TWO EXAMS during the course of the semester: a midterm and final. Your exam will consist of some or all of the following: short slide identifications, slide comparisons, an objective portion (with terms, artists, movements, important historic events and people), and essays. About a week prior to the exam you will get a study guide which will have a list of works and terms for which you are responsible. There will be no make-up exams unless an extremely unusual circumstance prevents you from taking the test (i.e. medical emergency or death in the family)and even then only if you have contacted me before the test and can provide appropriate documentation. If you are granted and excused an absence for the exam (due to serious illness, for example, or a family emergency), it is your responsibility to request and make an appointment for a make-up exam. Students who miss an exam without being excused will receive a zero.

Italian Renaissance Art - Spring 2014!

Introduction to Conversational French

A Research Paper (5-6 pages) is worth 20% of your grade. We will discuss this assignment further in class on February 4. A list of possible topics will be posted on Blackboard and discussed in class. There are also two Short Papers (30%). Each paper is a two-page book review, one on Ross Kings Brunelleschis Dome and the other on Robert Edsels Saving Italy. More instructions will be posted on Blackboard and discussed in class. LATE WORK POLICY: Students are expected to submit all work at the specied times. If a student knows that he/she will be absent on the day that an assignment is due, it is the students responsibility to turn in the assignment prior to their absence. For every day that an assignment is late, 10% of the assignment grade will be subtracted. For example, a paper that would have received a 100 would receive a 90, and so on. I do not accept work via email unless specied in the assignment. A late paper must be turned in via the Dropbox on Blackboard. Finally, Attendance and Participation is worth 5% of your overall nal grade. Throughout the semester, you are expected to participate in class discussions. Please be prepared to participate - if you do not volunteer to talk you might be asked to contribute by the instructor. ATTENDANCE POLlCY Regular attendance plays a key role in the successful completion of this course. Students are expected to attend all class meetings." However, students are allowed excused absences either in the case of a university-sponsored activity or by seeking the prior approval of the instructor. The latter excused absence is given at the discretion of the instructor in cases of personal emergency. As per university policy, approved absences call for the privilege to make up examinations and assignments without penalty; this privilege does not extend to unapproved absences or to pre-critique and critique. Therefore, a student's unapproved absences may interfere seriously with classroom performance, resulting in either a lowered letter grade or (in extreme circumstances) being dropped from the class. The following Department of Art policies apply to missed classes." Three absences will automatically result in a lowered letter grade. After that, the course letter grade will be lowered half a letter grade for each additional absence. Students will be marked present if present at time of attendance taking, marked tardy if attending the class late but within the rst half of the class, and absent if arrival is after class midpoint or student is not present. Two tardies are the equivalent of an absence. A student absent on the day of scheduled presentation/exam or other in-class work, or who fails to present on the day of scheduled presentation/exam or other in-class work while in attendance without prior instructor approval for rescheduling his/her presentation/exam or other in-class work WILL NOT be granted the privilege of rescheduling. CLASS ETIQUETTE AND DECORUM You are expected to arrive on time and not disturb those around you with private chatter, doing work for other classes, answering cell phone calls, texting, or playing games. No eating or drinking in the classrooms. All cell phones must be turned completely off when you enter the classroom. Students who participate in disruptive and inappropriate behaviors will be asked to leave the class. If you intend to take notes on your laptop, please respect the decorum of the

Italian Renaissance Art - Spring 2014!

Introduction to Conversational French

classroom by not working on other assignments or playing games, updating your facebook status, etc. This is disrespectful not only to the professor but especially to those around you who are engaged in the class. Falling asleep, surng the internet, disrupting class, and disrespectful behavior towards the class or the instructor will negatively affect your nal grade. LAPTOP USAGE Students may use laptops in class for taking notes ONLY. Wireless connections are prohibited during class time and any student discovered to be using a laptop for any purpose other than note taking will: 1- be asked to leave class that day; 2- not be allowed to use his/her laptop for the rest of the term. RECORDINGS AND PHOTOGRAPHS Course materials prepared by the instructor, together with the content of all lectures and review sessions presented by the instructor are the property of the instructor. This includes PowerPoint presentations, readings, and other supplemental materials posted on Blackboard. Photography, video, or audio recording of lectures and review sessions without the express written consent of the instructor is prohibited. ACADEMIC HONESTY All students are expected to familiarize themselves with all university policies pertaining to academic performance and conduct. As stated in the Lamar Student Handbook, all students should maintain complete honesty and integrity in their academic experiences. In this course, disciplinary action will be brought against any student found guilty of academic dishonesty including, but not limited to, cheating on an examination or other academic work to be submitted, plagiarism, collusion, and the abuse of resource materials. Cheating, plagiarism, collusion, and the abuse of resource materials are dened on page 82 of the Student Handbook. In addition, by University policy, a student cannot avoid any penalty for cheating set forth by the instructor in a course syllabus by dropping the course. Procedures for disciplinary action due to academic dishonesty shall be the same as in other violations of the Student Code of Conduct (see Student Handbook) except that all academic dishonesty cases shall rst be considered and reviewed by the faculty member. The process of appeal is located in the Student Handbook available online. The course instructor will complete a thorough and impartial investigation of any instance of academic dishonesty. A student found guilty of academic dishonesty will be notied in writing by the instructor of the violation, the penalty, and the students right to appeal the determination of dishonesty and/or the sanction imposed. Penalties for academic dishonesty in this course will result in either a lowered letter grade or failure of the course as determined by the instructor. Any occurrences of cheating and/or plagiarism will be prosecuted to the fullest extent possible. STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES The Ofce of Services for Students with Disabilities (SFSWD) offers a variety of services designed to provide students with disabilities (SWD) equal access to academic services. Some of the services include academic adjustments, physical access, assistive technology, priority registration, sign language interpreters, and note-takers. Documentation of disability is required to receive accommodations/academic adjustments/services. Persons with disabilities should notify the coordinator of SFSWD prior to registration in any university program. A meeting with the person and Coordinator will be arranged in order to assign appropriate accommodations,
Italian Renaissance Art - Spring 2014! 4

Introduction to Conversational French

academic adjustments or services. The ofce of SFSWD is located in 101A of the Wimberly Building. Students also may write to P.O. Box 10087, Beaumont, Texas 77710, e-mail trahancf@hal.lamar.edu or call 880-8347 IMPORTANT: An impending graduation date or scholarship which requires the maintenance of a particular GPA, or the GPA requirement for admission to an academic program of study will not earn you a passing grade in this course.! While it does seem to be the trend nowadays, there will be no negotiation of changing a nal grade you will meet with no success.! I do not give grades your grade will be evaluated solely on the scores you earn on your exams and assignments.! While I am happy to meet with you to help you nd ways to improve your scores, do not wait until the end of term to contact me as this will almost certainly be too late. If you believe I have made a mistake in my calculations, please contact me, and I will be happy to review your grade.!!!! This syllabus is an agreement between the professor and student to respectively provide and complete a worthy learning experience.! By remaining a registered student in this course, the student has identied their understanding of the obligations set forth in this syllabus for satisfactory completion of the course.! CLASS SCHEDULE

DATE 1/14

TOPIC/ ASSIGNMENTS DUE Introduction to the Course/ Italy and Italian Art

READING ASSIGNMENTS: Posted on Blackboard: Hartt Ch. 1, pp. 16-39 Start reading Ross Kings, Brunelleschis Dome

1/16

The Duecento

Schneider Adams Adams Ch. 1, pp. 2-24 Recommended: King Ch. 1-7, pp. 1-69

1/21

Trecento Florence

Schneider Adams Ch. 2, pp. 25-39 and pp. 50-56 Vasari, Cimabue and Giotto Recommended: King Ch. 8-15, pp. 70-136

Italian Renaissance Art - Spring 2014!

Introduction to Conversational French

DATE 1/23 TOPIC/ ASSIGNMENTS DUE Trecento Siena and Orvieto READING ASSIGNMENTS: Schneider Adams Ch. 2, pp. 40-59 Recommended: King Ch. 16-19, pp. 137-168 1/28 SHORT PAPER #1 DUE Quattrocento Architecture Discussion on Brunelleschis Dome Schneider Adams Ch. 3, pp. 66-75; Ch. 7, pp. 154-159; and Ch. 10, pp. 215-221 Vasari, Brunelleschi 1/30 Quattrocento Sculpture Schneider Adams Ch. 3, pp. 58-66 and pp. 75-82; Ch. 7, pp. 142-154 Vasari, Luca della Robbia and Lorenzo Ghiberti 2/4 Research Paper Assignment Discussion: Research, Citations, Style, etc. Quattrocento Sculpture continued Screening: Power of the Past with Bill Moyers: Florence Quattrocento Painting in Florence: 1400-1430 Quattrocento Painting in Florence: 1430-1460 Schneider Adams Ch. 4, pp. 83-103 Schneider Adams Ch. 5, pp. 104-121 and Ch. 6, pp. 122-141 Vasari, Filippo Lippi and Botticelli Schneider Adams Ch. 10, pp. 202-215 Vasari, Donatello 2/6 2/11 2/13

Italian Renaissance Art - Spring 2014!

Introduction to Conversational French

DATE 2/18 TOPIC/ ASSIGNMENTS DUE Quattrocento Painting in Florence After 1450 READING ASSIGNMENTS: Schneider Adams Ch. 11, pp. 222-245 Vasari, Piero della Francesca and Luca Signorelli 2/20 Quattrocento Art in Central Italy Schneider Adams Ch. 8, pp. 161-178 and Ch. 9, pp. 179-201 Schneider Adams Ch. 12, pp. 246-269 and Ch. 13, pp. 270-291 Schneider Adams Ch. 12, pp. 246-269 and Ch. 13, pp. 270-291

2/25

Quattrocento Art in Northern Italy

2/27

Quattrocento Art in Northern Italy continued

3/4 3/6

MIDTERM EXAM The High Renaissance: Leonardo Schneider Adams Ch. 14, pp. 292-311 Vasari, Ch. 14: Leonardo

3/10-3/14 3/18 3/20

SPRING BREAK: NO CLASS High Renaissance Architecture in Rome Michelangelos Sculpture Posted on Blackboard: Hersey Ch. 3, pp. 65-96 Schneider Adams Ch. 15, pp. 312-320; Ch. 16, pp. 332-334-336 Vasari, Michelangelo

3/25 3/27

Michelangelos Sculpture continued The Sistine Chapel

Posted on Blackboard: Hersey Ch. 8, pp. 249-276 Posted on Blackboard: Hersey Ch. 6, pp. 177-224

Italian Renaissance Art - Spring 2014!

Introduction to Conversational French

DATE 4/1 TOPIC/ ASSIGNMENTS DUE Screening The Michelangelo Code: Secrets of the Sistine Chapel RESEARCH PAPERS DUE Raphael Schneider Adams Ch. 15, pp. 321-329; Ch. 16, pp. 348-352 Vasari, Raphael 4/8 4/10 Raphael continued Other High Renaissance Artists Posted on Blackboard: Hersey Ch. 5, pp. 129-176 Posted on Blackboard: Hartt Ch. 18, pp. 555-589 Recommended: Edsel Prelude and Ch. 1-9, pp. 1-102 4/15 16th Century Art in Venice Schneider Adams Ch. 17, pp. 357-387 Vasari, Titian Recommended: Edsel Ch. 10-19, pp. 103-206 4/17 Late 16th Century Art and Mannerism Schneider Adams Ch. 18, pp. 385-415 Vasari, Parmagianino Recommended: Edsel Ch. 20-26, pp. 207-294 READING ASSIGNMENTS:

4/3

Italian Renaissance Art - Spring 2014!

Introduction to Conversational French

DATE 4/22 TOPIC/ ASSIGNMENTS DUE Female Artists of the Italian Renaissance READING ASSIGNMENTS: Posted on Blackboard: Chadwick Ch. 2, pp. 66-86; Ch. 3, pp. 87-112 Recommended: Edsel Ch. 27-29, pp. 295-340 4/24 SHORT PAPER #2 DUE The Afterlife of Art: The Fate of Italian Art in World War II Discussion: Saving Italy Catch-Up FINAL EXAM

4/29 4/31

Italian Renaissance Art - Spring 2014!