| CODE | NES2017 | ||||||||||||
| TITLE | Ancient Near Eastern Art | ||||||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 02 - Years 2, 3 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 5 | ||||||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 4 | ||||||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Middle Eastern and Asian Languages and Cultures | ||||||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit offers a comprehensive exploration of the rich and diverse artistic traditions that flourished in the ancient civilizations of the Middle East before the Classical cultures of Greece and Rome. Spanning from the earliest cultures of Sumer to the empires of Persia, the unit delves into the unique visual expressions of various societies, encompassing the religious, political, and social contexts that shaped their artistic production, with examples taken from monumental state-sponsored works of propaganda (like the Stele of Naram-Sin, the Stele of the Vultures, and the Assyrian Palace Reliefs) to intimate objects (like cylinder seals and jewellery), decorative pieces for palace furniture (like ivory works), and votive works (like figurines) used in ritual. Through an in-depth examination of the art of Mesopotamia, Anatolia, Phoenicia, Syria, the Levant and Iran, students will gain a nuanced understanding of the evolution of artistic styles, materials, and techniques. Emphasising key themes such as the portrayal of rulers, religious iconography, mythology, gender, agency, personhood, affect, trade, cultural exchange and migration, the unit aims to cultivate critical thinking skills and a broader appreciation for the enduring impact of Ancient Near Eastern art on subsequent civilizations. By engaging with primary and secondary sources, students will explore the complexities of artistic representation in the ancient world and assess the cultural interactions that contributed to the fascinating tapestry of Near Eastern art. Study-unit Aims: - Provide a deep understanding of the historical and cultural contexts of Ancient Near Eastern civilizations; - Help students develop critical analytical skills to interpret and evaluate the visual language of Ancient Near Eastern art; - Explore the impact of cultural exchange, trade, and interactions on artistic styles, materials, and techniques in the ancient world; - Investigate the various modes of pre-Classical artistic representation; - Conduct comparative analyses of artistic styles, themes, and media; - Hone research skills by critically engaging with primary and secondary sources; - Develop students' effective written and oral communication skills; - Help students appreciate the enduring cultural impact of Ancient Near Eastern art; - Explore interdisciplinary connections between art, history, archaeology, and anthropology; - Explore ethical considerations in the study of ancient artefacts and art. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - identify the rich and diverse artistic traditions of the Ancient Near East, including Mesopotamia, Persia, Anatolia, and the Levant; - recognise the historical framework that shaped the evolution of art in the Ancient Near East, emphasising key developments and cultural shifts; - locate the various centres of artistic production in Ancient Near Eastern societies, recognizing the interconnectedness of civilizations and the exchange of artistic ideas; - recognize and articulate the global impact of Ancient Near Eastern art on subsequent artistic traditions, emphasising its enduring influence. 2. Skills By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - apply critical thinking skills to analyse and interpret visual artefacts from the Ancient Near East, considering their cultural, political, and religious significance; - examine and interpret the iconography of Ancient Near Eastern art, with a focus on religious symbols, royal representations, and mythological themes; - apply some methodological tools for art historical research, including the analysis of stylistic elements, materials, and archaeological contexts; - conduct comparative analyses of artistic expressions across different regions and periods, identifying both shared patterns and unique features; - demonstrate an interdisciplinary approach to studying Ancient Near Eastern art, integrating insights from history, archaeology, anthropology, and related fields; - demonstrate ethical awareness in the study and appreciation of ancient artefacts, addressing issues of cultural sensitivity, preservation, and responsible scholarship. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main: - Bahrani, Zainab. 2017. Mesopotamia: Ancient Art and Architecture. Thames and Hudson. - Gunter, Ann. 2018. Companion to Ancient Near East Art. Wiley, Blackwell. - Gansell, Amy and Shafer, Ann. 2020. Testing the Canon of Ancient Near Eastern Art and Archaeology. Oxford. Lecturer(s) will also supply students with a list of journal articles posted on the VLE. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture | ||||||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Omar N'Shea |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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