Mosques, Palaces and Gardens in the Golden Age of Islam (P02465)

? Credit Points : 20 ? SCQF Level : 11 ? Acronym : ACE-P-P02465

Rising at the confluence of several older traditions, Islamic architecture reached astounding levels of refinement during its first four centuries. This course explores its origins and development at the apogee of the civilisation of Islam, in the 7th to 10th centuries. The area covered stretches from Spain to the borders of China, with its core centres in Syria and Iraq. Using evidence from artefacts and texts, we will seek to understand the meaning attached to buildings by their makers within a broad context that also involves the visual arts, notably calligraphy, mosaic and painting. The course will thereby illustrate the unique creative synthesis of ancient traditions that gave rise to Islamic art.

Entry Requirements

none

Subject Areas

Home subject area

History of Art, (School of Arts, Culture and Environment, Schedule A)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : Postgraduate

? Delivery Period : Full Year (Blocks 1-4)

? Contact Teaching Time : 2 hour(s) per week for 11 weeks

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

Students will gain knowledge of key buildings, places and artefacts that marked the golden age of Islam. This will provide the basis for a reflection about the multiple factors at play in material culture - like faith, symbolism, power - and the different ways to approach them. In doing so, students will be encouraged to hold a critical stance towards both the analysis of artefacts and their modern interpretation.