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AH30600

Academic Year 2024/2025

From Constantinople to Istanbul: Art, Faith, Politics (AH30600)

Subject:
Art History
College:
Arts & Humanities
School:
Art History & Cultural Policy
Level:
3 (Degree)
Credits:
10
Module Coordinator:
Dr Sean Leatherbury
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

From its ancient beginnings as the town of Byzantion, the city now known as Istanbul has captured the collective imagination of many over the centuries. This module examines the art and the built environment of the city, from its expansion in the Roman period, to its re-foundation as the Byzantine capital Constantinople, to its Ottoman transformation into modern Istanbul. As different groups—Byzantines, Crusaders, Ottomans—took control of the city, they shaped its architecture to proclaim the power and grandeur of their cultures and religions, commissioning magnificent monuments such as the church of Hagia Sophia, the Süleymaniye Mosque, and Topkapi Palace, as well as icon paintings, reliquaries, and manuscripts. The module will allow students to engage with archaeological and literary evidence, bringing to life lost buildings such as the Great Palace and the Church of the Holy Apostles. When possible, class field trips to local collections (the Chester Beatty, the National Gallery, UCD Special Collections) will allow students to see objects associated with the city in person.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

By the completion of this small-group seminar-based module, students will be able to:
-Identify and describe the major monuments of the city of Constantinople (Istanbul), as well as the key works of art produced by the city's workshops during the Byzantine and Ottoman periods
-Describe the important periods of and themes in the city's history, and how these were reflected in its art and architecture
-Demonstrate a close familiarity with a monument or object associated with the city, developed through reading, discussion, critical thinking, and research

Indicative Module Content:

The weekly topics for lecture and seminar discussion include: From Byzantion to Constantinople; Sculpture in the Capital; Justinianic Architecture; Iconoclasm; Middle Byzantine Art and Architecture; Byzantine Manuscripts; The Fourth Crusade; Palaiologan Art and Architecture; Ottoman Istanbul; Ottoman Baroque; Constantinople Today

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

10
Seminar (or Webinar)

18
Field Trip/External Visits

2
Specified Learning Activities

95
Autonomous Student Learning

95
Total

220

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
This module is a small-group module, with weekly lectures and seminars. The lecture provides an introduction to the week's topic, and the seminar focuses on discussion, debate, and presentation. Support materials, including the weekly readings, will be available on Brightspace. When possible, students will be encouraged to visit relevant local collections, such as the Chester Beatty or UCD Special Collections. Students will be assessed through research presentations, an essay, and a learning journal that will allow students to reflect on class discussions and collections visits.

AI Use: all assignments for this module are marked RED (no use of generative AI for any purpose).

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Participation in Learning Activities: Participation in class discussions Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 8, Week 9, Week 10, Week 11, Week 12 Graded No
10
 No
Individual Project: Research presentation Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 8, Week 9, Week 10 Graded No
20
 No
Assignment(Including Essay): 3,000-word essay Week 14 Graded No
40
 No
Reflective Assignment: Reflective learning journal entries Week 12 Graded No
30
 No

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment
• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Feedback on the discussion leader presentations, research presentations, learning journals and essays will be returned to students within two weeks of the assignment due date. Students will have the opportunity to meet individually with the lecturer to discuss all feedback.

Name Role
Prolet Nikolaeva Decheva Tutor

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Spring Seminar Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Thurs 10:00 - 11:50
Spring Seminar Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Tues 13:00 - 13:50
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