3.00 Credits
The aim of this course is to cultivate an appreciation of the Islamic faith and culture as expressed through the visual arts and architecture from the seventh through the seventeenth century. In addition to examining the major religious monuments of the Middle East, Asia, Europe, and Africa, we will also explore secular works from both the royal and court context and the context of everyday life, such as manuscript illumination and calligraphy, metalwork, ceramics, textiles, ivories and glass. Throughout this course, we will also consider Islam as "the other," examining the ways in which western artists, historians and travelers have interpreted Islamic art and culture.