Cross, Book, Bone: Early Medieval Art, ca. 300-1100
ARHA 213
Fall 2026
| Section:
01
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| Crosslisting:
MDST 213 |
This class surveys the art and architecture of early medieval Europe, from the decline of the Roman Empire and the multiculturalism of Late Antiquity through the glory of Byzantium, the rise of Islam, and the establishment of Germanic kingdoms in Northern Europe. Style, content, function, and historical context shall be examined across monuments of architecture, sculpture, mosaic, manuscripts, painting, and the luxury arts. Questions of religious practice, political messaging, and cross-cultural translation shall be threaded throughout, for example: How might one picture God? How might one build a house of worship or decorate a sacred text? How might one best picture a ruler? How were art and artistry defined in early medieval Europe? How might we see dialogue, overlap, and/or competition between the art and architecture of Islam and Christianity, among other religious traditions? The art historical periods considered will include Late Antique, Byzantine, Umayyad, Abbasid, Migration, Insular, Carolingian, Mozarabic, Ottonian, and Viking art. |
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| Credit: 1 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
HA ART |
| Course Format: Lecture / Discussion | Grading Mode: Graded |
| Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: None |
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Fulfills a Requirement for: (Art History Minor)(Art History)(Art Studio)(Medieval Studies Minor)(Medieval Studies) |
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Past Enrollment Probability: 75% - 89% |
| SECTION 01 |
Major Readings: Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
1. Required: John Lowden, EARLY CHRISTIAN AND BYZANTINE ART (London, 1997), ISBN: 978-0714831688.
2. There is a required Course Reader.
Any additional readings will be made available on e-reserves and Moodle.
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Examinations and Assignments:
Midterm exam, final exam, term paper, two response papers, oral presentation, class participation. |
Additional Requirements and/or Comments:
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| Instructor(s): Ackley,Joseph Salvatore Times: .M.W... 10:50AM-12:10PM; Location: TBA |
| Total Enrollment Limit: 19 | | SR major: 4 | JR major: 4 | | |
| Seats Available: 19 | GRAD: X | SR non-major: 2 | JR non-major: 2 | SO: 4 | FR: 3 |
| Drop/Add Enrollment Requests | | | | | |
| Total Submitted Requests: 0 | 1st Ranked: 0 | 2nd Ranked: 0 | 3rd Ranked: 0 | 4th Ranked: 0 | Unranked: 0 |
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