Loyola University Chicago

COURSE DESCRIPTION AND OBJECTIVES

     The course is a survey of Rome’s artistic heritage from antiquity to the modern period. The survey will begin with the art of ancient Rome and, as far as possible, follow the sequence through the Early Christian, Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque, and Modern periods. Selected works of architecture, mosaic, painting, and sculpture will be studied within the context of Rome’s changing historical role as the center of a great empire, as the principal seat of the Catholic Church and Papacy, and as the capital of modern Italy. However, the course is not merely an elaborate guided tour of Rome. This is a serious study of art. Buildings, mosaics, paintings, and sculpture will be studied in relation to historical context, purpose, iconography, and stylistic features. A thorough knowledge of the material will be required for examinations.

      The basic objective of the course is to impart a knowledge and understanding of Rome’s very rich artistic patrimony which is a microcosm of the larger world of European art history. The course will also be an introduction to the problems, methods, and terminology of art history. Finally, it is hoped that the study of architecture, painting, and sculpture in the Roman context will enrich and make more meaningful the experience of living and studying abroad.

REQUIRED TEXTS

• John Nicholson. Art in Rome Manual.  (Fall 2008) Rome Center.
• (Supplements and Study Guides for the Manual will be given out at each class meeting.)
• Andrea Augenti (ed.). Rome: Art and Archaeology. Scala.
• Sonia Gallico. The Vatican. Edizioni Musei Vaticani-Ars Italia Editrice.
• Edward Lucie-Smith. Thames & Hudson Dictionary of Art Terms. 2^nd ed. Thames & Hudson.

Note. The Manual is divided into Units corresponding to the class meetings. As preparation, read the appropriate Unit prior to each on-site meeting. Refer to the Augenti and Gallico texts for illustrations of works that will be viewed on-site and the Dictionary of Art Terms for terminology. (Important terms are emphasized in bold-italics.)

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Examinations

First exam, Oct. 9. Second exam, Nov. 13. Final exam, Dec. 9.

          Changes in examination dates are not open to negotiation.

          Absence from an exam without a valid excuse will result in an F (0 points) for the exam. Make-up examinations will not be given for travel-related absences.

          Cheating or dishonesty of any kind on an examination will be penalized with an F grade.

Participation/Attendance

Presence at class meetings is considered an essential form of participation in an on-site class. Questions and discussion are encouraged both during and after class meetings.

N.B. Twenty percent of the course grade has been assigned for participation. Those absent from two meetings will forfeit five points; those absent from  more than two meetings will forfeit all twenty points.

GRADING

Course Grade First exam, 20%. Second exam, 30%. Final exam, 30%. Participation, 20%.

Grading Scale

95-100 = A    92-94 = A-    88-91 = B+.  84-87 = B   80-83 = B- 77-79 = C+   73-76 = C   70-72 = C-   65-69 = D+   60-64 = D

59 and below = F

OFFICE HOURS (BOOKSTORE)

Monday, 1:30-3:00 pm. Tuesday, 3:45-4:30 pm. Wednesday, 1:30-3:00 pm. (and by appointment).

E-mail: jnich1@luc.edu

ON-SITE CLASSES

You must attend class meetings and take examinations with this section in which you are registered.

Because of heavy traffic and crowded buses you should leave the Rome Center more than one hour before the beginning of class.

Information on site and transportation will be posted on the bulletin board opposite the porter’s desk.

Please do not smoke, eat, or take photographs during on-site meetings.

LECTURES AND VISITS

1.  Introduction. The Main Periods of Art in Rome. The Visual Arts. Forms and

      Structures of Classical Architecture. Manual, Unit I.

2. Roman Building Types and Materials.  Roman Forum. Arch of Constantine.   

     Colosseum. (Adm. fee)  Manual, Unit II.

3.  Architecture and Sculpture as Imperial Propaganda. Pantheon.  Piazza Augusto

     Imperatore. Ara Pacis (Adm. Fee). Manual, Unit III.  

4. Early Christian and Medieval: Architecture and Mosaic. S. Maria Maggiore.

    S. Prassede. S. Pudenziana. Manual Unit IV,

5. First Exam.

    Reading assignment on Early Christian Art.

     S. Pietro in Vincoli – Tomb of Julius II.  Manual, Unit V.

7.  Baroque Architecture and Sculpture. S. Maria degli Angeli. S. Maria della Vittoria  

     (Cornaro Chapel). S. Carlo alle Quattro Fontane. S. Andrea al Quirinale. 

      Manual, Unit VII.

8. Baroque Architecture, Sculpture, and Painting. Piazza Navona. S. Ivo alla Sapienza.

      S. Luigi dei Francesi. S. Agostino. Manual, Unit VIII.

9. The Vatican and Its Basilica. S. Pietro in Vaticano. Manual, Unit VI.A.

10. Second Exam.

11. Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque – Architecture, Sculpture, Painting. S. Maria sopra

      Minerva. Il Gesu. S. Ignazio. Fontana di Trevi. Manual, Unit IX.

12. Anceint Sculpture. Renaissance Painting – Michelangelo and Raphael. Vatican 

      Mueeum. Raphael Rooms. Sistine Chapel. (Adm. Fee) Unit VI.B.C.D.

13. Architecture – Renaissance and Modern. Palazzo di Venezia. Piazza del

      Campidoglio. Victor Emmanuel Monument.  Manual, Unit XI.