Survey of Italian Art

This course provides a comprehensive survey of Italian art and architecture through five major movements in Italian history, starting from the art of the Roman Empire. The Medieval period is analyzed from its Byzantine roots and influence, which transitioned into the groundbreaking flowering of Renaissance artistic culture. Coursework will continue with the evolution of Italian art through the intellectual and emotional complexity of Mannerism, and conclude with the Baroque period sparked by the Counter-Reformation agenda of the Catholic church. The parallel development of related disciplines and the political and sociological currents during the historic era of each major movement will provide a wider perspective of Italian art and architecture throughout the centuries. This class includes field learning hours. Field learning is a method of educating through first-hand experience. Skills, knowledge, and experience are acquired outside of the traditional academic classroom setting and may include field activities, field research, and service learning projects. The field learning experience is cultural; because it is intended to be wide-reaching, field-related content is not limited to the course subject but seeks to supplement and enrich academic topics. Students will have the opportunity to integrate theory and practice while experiencing Italian culture, art, and community within the Italian territory. Faculty will lead students in experiencing Italian culture through guided projects and field experiences as planned for the course. Field learning will be developed through classroom preparation, follow up projects, and guided learning outcomes. Field learning will provide students with the opportunity to develop skills and appreciate the multifold components of Italian Culture through direct experience. Field education will advance student learning as a relationship-centered process.