FLIT3900 - Italian Renaissance Art

Haley Center 3187

Auburn University

Wednesdays 12:00 -12:50

Dr. Giovanna Summerfield

Office: 6064 Haley Center

Phone/Voice Mail 334.844.6842

E-mail: summegi@auburn.edu

Web site: http://www.auburn.edu/~summegi

Office Hours : MWF 8-10 or by appointment

Course Description:

This course is offered in combination with ARTS3730, taught by Art History Professor Joyce de Vries. Through the original texts of the time and the works of modern art critics, this course underscores the cultural circumstances of late medieval and early modern Italy (c. 1280-1560) and consists of class discussions. Students are expected to do the assigned readings prior to class discussions. Students are also expected to write their own personal notes about the readings which will ONLY be collected the day of the discussion. Whereas the notes can be composed in English, prompted by the instructor’s questions, the class discussions will be led in Italian.

Course Objectives:

In this course students will increase their abilities to communicate in Italian within their professional field and will understand a variety of topics from a different perspective in order to be better prepared for the demands and opportunities of our global society. Students are expected to discuss historical events pertaining to Italian Renaissance art; to understand the role of the Italian noble families; to know the lives and achievements of notable Italian artists; and to appreciate the artistic guidelines of the time as dictated by the individual artists and by the cultural conditions.

Course Requirements:

Due to the nature of the course, attendance is required. After four absences, regardless of the reason for the absence and of academic performance in the class, the student will receive an FA (Failure due to Excessive Absences). NOTE: One tardy or early departure is counted as half an absence. If students foresee regular conflicts with class attendance due to participation in official university sports activities, they must turn in, at the beginning of the term, a copy of the official calendar of events. Students are required to have some Italian knowledge (at least completion of the 1st-year sequence in Italian or equivalent). Students are expected to be well-prepared and engaged in class discussions; they are expected to turn in their personal notes prior to each discussion. No late submission will be accepted.

Grades will be determined as follows:

Reading Notes 40%

Discussion Participation 40%

Final Mini-Presentation 20%

A schedule of class final mini-presentations will be available by the second week of class.

Special Accommodations:

Students who need special accommodations have to make an appointment with the instructor to present the memo received from the Program for Students with Disabilities (PSD) and to discuss their situation confidentially. If students do not have a memo, they should arrange an appointment with a member of the professional staff in the PSD Office in 1244 Haley Center (844-2096).

Discussion Schedule:

Week 1 – Jan 12: Introduction

Week 2 – Jan 19: Selections from Le Vite by Vasari (Proemio)

Week 3 – Jan 26: Selections from Della famiglia by Leon Battista Alberti

Week 4 – Feb 2: Selections from Il Principe by Machiavelli

Week 5 – Feb 9: Selections from Il Principe

Week 6 – Feb 16: L’universo cortigiano with selections from Il Cortegiano by Castiglione

Week 7 – Feb 23: Selections from Le Vite (re: Filippo Brunelleschi)

Week 8 – Mar 2: Selections from Pietro e Ambrogio Lorenzetti by Chiara Frugoni

Week 9 – Mar 9: Selections from Antonello da Messina by S. Bottari

Week 10 – Mar 16: Selections from Storia del Manierismo: Tiziano

Week 11 – Mar 23: La vita di Leonardo (Film 1972 - on reserve)

Week 12 – Apr 6: La vita di Leonardo

Week 13 – Apr 13: Selections from Giovinezza/Ricordi/Poesie by Michelangelo

Week 14 – Apr 20: Selections from Il Canzoniere by Petrarca and Vita nova by Dante

Week 15 – Apr 27: Selections from Il libro della bella donna by F. Luigini/Caterina Sforza’s Ricettario