Around the Mediterranean in Ten Objects



Overview

In this course we will sail around the Medieval Mediterranean. Along the way we will encounter ten fascinating works of art from the period c.1000 - 1200. The selected objects are made of silk, marble, ivory, crystal, bronze and wood and they come from across the region, from Jerusalem to Mallorca and from Constantinople to Cairo. They belong to the Romanesque, Byzantine and Islamic styles.

One of the defining features of Mediterranean art in this period is its hybridity. Together we will explore questions about hybridity, connectivity and cosmopolitanism. How did artists, objects, designs and materials move around the Mediterranean region? How did Islamic, Byzantine and Romanesque artists work in dialogue with each other? How did artists and patrons wrestle with religious and cultural differences? 

Programme details

Courses starts: 18 Sept 2023

Week 0: Course Orientation

Week 1: Introduction: the Medieval Mediterranean

Week 2: Model of the Holy Sepulchre

Week 3: The Fermo Chasuble

Week 4: Two Ivory Boxes

Week 5: A Byzantine Enamel

Week 6: The Vladimir icon

Week 7: The Kutubiyya minbar

Week 8: A Crystal Jug

Week 9: A bronze Throne: the Pisa Griffin and Mari Cha lion

Week 10: Bring your own object

Certification

Students who register for CATS points will receive a Record of CATS points on successful completion of their course assessment.

To earn credit (CATS points) you will need to register and pay an additional £10 fee per course. You can do this by ticking the relevant box at the bottom of the enrolment form or when enrolling online.

Coursework is an integral part of all weekly classes and everyone enrolled will be expected to do coursework in order to benefit fully from the course. Only those who have registered for credit will be awarded CATS points for completing work at the required standard.

Students who do not register for CATS points during the enrolment process can either register for CATS points prior to the start of their course or retrospectively from the January 1st after the current full academic year has been completed. If you are enrolled on the Certificate of Higher Education you need to indicate this on the enrolment form but there is no additional registration fee.

Fees

Description Costs
Course Fee £257.00
Take this course for CATS points £10.00

Funding

If you are in receipt of a UK state benefit, you are a full-time student in the UK or a student on a low income, you may be eligible for a reduction of 50% of tuition fees. Please see the below link for full details:

Concessionary fees for short courses

Tutor

Dr Clare Vernon

Dr Clare Vernon is a specialist in the Mediterranean world in the central middle ages. She has a PhD from the University of Cambridge and has taught at Birkbeck, University of London and the universities of Manchester and Southampton. Her publications focus on the art of  southern Italy in the eleventh and twelfth centuries, including a  book, From Byzantine to Norman Italy: Mediterranean Art and Architecture in Medieval Bari.

Course aims

To explore the art history of the Medieval Mediterranean.

Course objectives:

  • To look in depth at ten objects produced in the Mediterranean world in the eleventh and twelfth centuries.
  • To develop students’ understanding of the breadth of Mediterranean art history.
  • To encourage critical reflection on the debates in the field.

Teaching methods

A weekly pre-recorded lecture will be provided each week and we will have in-depth class discussion on the object in question during the weekly live session. 

 

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course students will be expected to:

  • have developed skills in visual analysis and looking at objects in detail;
  • understand the breadth and diversity of Medieval Mediterranean art;
  • understand the production of different media and styles of art in the Medieval Mediterranean.

Assessment methods

Students will write a 1,500 word critical analysis on a building or object of their choice. Guidance on how to complete the assessment will be given during the course.

Students must submit a completed Declaration of Authorship form at the end of term when submitting your final piece of work. CATS points cannot be awarded without the aforementioned form - Declaration of Authorship form

Application

We will close for enrolments 7 days prior to the start date to allow us to complete the course set up. We will email you at that time (7 days before the course begins) with further information and joining instructions. As always, students will want to check spam and junk folders during this period to ensure that these emails are received.

To earn credit (CATS points) for your course you will need to register and pay an additional £10 fee per course. You can do this by ticking the relevant box at the bottom of the enrolment form or when enrolling online.

Please use the 'Book' or 'Apply' button on this page. Alternatively, please complete an enrolment form (Word) or enrolment form (Pdf).

Level and demands

This course is open to all and no prior knowledge is required.

Most of the Department's weekly classes have 10 or 20 CATS points assigned to them. 10 CATS points at FHEQ Level 4 usually consist of ten 2-hour sessions. 20 CATS points at FHEQ Level 4 usually consist of twenty 2-hour sessions. It is expected that, for every 2 hours of tuition you are given, you will engage in eight hours of private study.

Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme (CATS)

Terms & conditions for applicants and students

Information on financial support