Summer 2012/ Orvieto, Italy
June 17-30, 2012
TC519
Dyrness
TC519: TOPICS IN THEOLOGY AND ART: MEDIEVAL ART AND THEOLOGY.
William
Dyrness with Chris Slatoff.
DESCRIPTION: This course studies selected texts and artistic programs from the
late medieval period, 1300-1500. Offered in Orvieto, Italy, it will feature
in-depth study of Giotto's "Life of St Francis" in the Upper Church of San
Francesco in Assisi, Ambrogio Lorenzetti's "Good Government and Bad Government"
in the Palazzo Pubblico of Siena, and Signorelli's fresco program in the
Capella Nuova in Orvieto in the context of the theological and worship life of
the late middle ages and early renaissance. Chris Slatoff will lecture on the
sculpture program of Lorenzo Maitani, Nicholas Pisano and lead the studio
portion.
SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: Against the backdrop of the current
rediscovery of ancient worship practices, the widespread cultural interest in
spirituality, and the increased use of the arts in worship, it is important for
Christian leaders to understand the medieval context in which the traditions of
Western art were born and the worship practices this art reflected.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Through reading, discussion, and visits students will (1)
understand the theological and historical context of the medieval church, (2)
experience the liturgical practices that emerged in that setting, and (3) be
able to appreciate the artistic products that resulted from this setting.
COURSE FORMAT: The course will include lecture and discussion of readings that
seek to give students a basic understanding of biblical, historical, and
theological issues. Lectures will prepare students for visits to the Orvieto
Cathedral, Siena Town Hall, and St Francis' Church in Assisi, in order to
enable them to understand art as theological practice in the context of
medieval thought. Studio experience in artmaking and spirituality will be
taught by Chris Slatoff. This course is taught in conjunction with SP 500
Medieval and Reformation Spirituality taught by Richard Peace in which students
must also be enrolled as either a credit student or an auditor.
REQUIRED READING:
- Augustine. On Christian Doctrine/Teaching. Oxford University
Press. ISBN 978-0-19-954063-1. $8.93.
- Bonaventure. The Soul's Journey to God/Journey of the Mind to God.
ISBN 0-872220-200-3. $9.95.
And Life of St. Francis. ISBN
978-0-06-057652-3. $11.99.
- Course reader: Quentin Skinner, G. R. Evans, Hayden MacGinnes,
Pseudo-Dionysius, and others.
RECOMMENDED READING:
- Baxandall, Michael. Painting and Experience in 15th Century
Italy. 2nd ed. New York: Oxford UP, 1988.
- Burke, Peter. Culture and Society in Renaissance Italy: 1420-1540.
London: B. T. Batsford, 1972.
- Canali, Ferruccio. The Basilica of San Francesco in Assisi. Firenze:
Bonechi, 1954.
- Copleston, F. C. Medieval Philosophy. New York: Harper, 1952 (Dover
ed., 2001).
- Gilbert, C. How Fra Angelico and Luca Signorelli Saw the End of the
World. Penn. State Univ. Press, 2003.
- Lansing, Carol. Power and Purity: Cathar Heresy in Medieval Italy.
New York: Oxford UP, 1998.
- McLellan, Dugald. Signorelli's Orvieto Frescos. Perugia:
Quattroemme, 1998.
- Meltzoff, Stanley. Botticelli, Signorelli and Savanarola. Firenze:
Leo S. Olschki, 1987.
- Riess, Jonathan. The Renaissance Anti-Christ: Luca Signorelli's Orvieto
Frescos. Princeton UP, 1995.
- Welch, Evelyn. Art and Society in Italy, 1350-1500. New York: Oxford
University Press, 1997.
ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT: The course grade will depend on three elements. Two
smaller papers (6-8 pp.) will be reflection papers on the aesthetic and
liturgical experiences of the course and on the course readings, respectively.
(Note: reading of Augustine's On Christian Doctrine should be
completed prior to class.) And a final project/paper that could be an
artistic/dramatic project or a more traditional research paper (12-15 pages).
Online consultation will follow the class, with final assignment due on
September 14, 2012.
PREREQUISITES: Participation in Summer Program in Orvieto, Italy (June 17-June
30) and concurrent enrollment in SP500. Additional information may be obtained
at the following link:
http://www.brehmcenter.com/education/experiential_courses/
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets requirement for specialized courses in MA in
Theology and Arts and WTA. Meets the MACL in Integrative Studies requirement
for an interdisciplinary course (IDPL).
This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. (April 2012)