Medieval Art and Architecture of the Holy Land
3.0
creditsAverage Course Rating
The course focuses on art and architecture in the political and religious contexts of the Middle East, from the 4th to the 14th c. The three monotheistic religions all claimed specific territories -- in particular the city of Jerusalem -- for cult practices. This situation resulted in military conflicts that had an impact of Jewish, Medieval, Byzantine, and Islamic art in the Holy Land. The political conflicts, which still plague the region today, are rooted in the complex situation of the medieval period. The Roman, Arab, Byzantine, and crusader invasions resulted however in exciting eclectic styles that characterize the art and architecture of the region. We will discuss concepts behind political and religious leadership, as they intersect with the power of the arts.
Spring 2014
Professor: Nino Zchomelidse
During this course, students were able to broaden their horizons by learning the subject matter. They appreciated the guest lecturers and found the material intriguing. The small class environment made individualized attention a no brainer and the assigned papers encouraged students to study their topics in depth. Occasionally, lectures were boring and the professor’s expectations for both assignments and class discussions were often unclear. It was suggested that more class discussions and better communication between students and the professor would improve the quality of this course. Prospective students should expect an average work load and to take their knowledge of the Holy Land to the next level.