CIEE Study Center in Seville, Spain

Course name: ISLAMIC CULTURE AND ART IN MUSLIM SPAIN

Course number: SOCI 3001 CSCS

Programs offering course: Liberal Arts, Advanced Liberal Arts, Business and Society,

Communication, New Media and Journalism Programs

Language of instruction:

U.S. semester credits:

Contact hours:

Term:

Spanish

3 credits

45 hours

Spring 2018

Course meeting times: TBD

Course meeting place: TBD

Professor: TBD

Contact information: TBD

Office address: TBD

Office hours: TBD

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course proposes a journey through the culture of the Arab world and Islamic art,

starting in the East in the Middle Ages and landing in Muslim Spain- Al-andalus. The acquisition

of course content goes hand in hand with the acquisition of the Spanish language, both in its

grammatical structures as well as in the consolidation and expansion of general and specific

vocabulary.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

• Provide the students with basic concepts about the Arab Islamic culture in general, in order to

understand the peculiarity of andalusí

• Study the fundamental characteristics of Islamic art, specifically Al-Andalus art and its most

representative examples.

• Facilitate readings about the aforementioned topics, so that the students can amplify their

understanding by way of lectures, comments, discussion forums.

• Visit and study the main components of andalusí art especially in the cities of Seville,

Carmona, and Niebla, as well as the emblematic examples of Córdoba and Granada

COURSE PRREQUISITES

• The student who takes this subject should have ideally - although not an exclusive

requirement – an intermediate level of Spanish language in order to keep up with the

materials that will be discussed throughout the course.

• He/She must demonstrate ability to synthesis and critically analyze

• He/She must be able to work individually and in groups.

• He/She must activate his/her skills in oral and written expression, an essential trait for the

gradual and continuous process of language learning and acquisition of the content described

above.

METHODS OF INSTRUCTION

Theoretical classes, based on the topics expressed in this syllabus, will be developed

through theoretical-practical lectures by the professor, with the support of texts and articles that

the students will read and discuss when the topic is addressed. In this way, the student’s

participation will be frequent and natural. The professor will utilize photographic and audiovisual

materials (documentaries and films) whenever possible. These classes will be complemented by

out of classroom activities, such as visiting the most important artistic and/or architectural

examples of Islamic art in Seville, and if possible, its surrounding areas (Córdoba, Carmona etc.).

Other works will be selected from the bibliography and presented in order to create

debate and develop the critical skills of the students.

This course is accompanied by a workbook, which will serve as a guide for the students

through each topic. The workbook combines the bibliography, texts, articles – among them the

mandatory readings- as well as numerous illustrations that will support the study of various

topics.

ASSESSMENT AND FINAL GRADE

Exams: There will be two exams, both theoretical and practical in nature, throughout the

semester. Exams will be based, in part, on questions covered in class. The exams will also

utilize slides used in class and will require the students to comment on and analyze them. In

addition, illustrations studied in class may also serve as the focus of the exam. (25% + 25%)

Participation: Active participation is paramount to success in this class. This is the way in which

the students can show that they are up to date with the course material, and willing to participate.

Students will have an opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of the

course contents through various written works, exercises and presentations in class (worth 50%

of the final grade). For this reason, attendance is essential to this course.

CIEE classes are not graded on a curve nor is there extra credit work. The final grade will be

based upon the following criteria:

• Exam 1 25%

• Exam 2 25%

• Exercises, Papers and Presentations,

Participation 50%

Attendance policy:

Students are not allowed to miss class. For each absence, the participation portion of the grade

will be lowered. Hence, it will be very difficult to receive a 10 in the class. Please keep this in

mind.

If a student misses class twice without a valid excuse (a *note from a physician in the event of an

illness*), then the professor will automatically lower the final grade by 0.5 points (on a 10 point

scale) for each class missed thereafter. Students with 6 or more absences will fail the course.

Students should arrive to class on-time. Arriving late for a class will count as an absence.

*Notes from a physician will only be valid and admitted by the Resident Director if the doctor

confirms that the visit could not have been arranged at another time, or that the student was too

ill to attend class that day.

Academic Honesty: Students are expected to act in accordance with their university and CIEE´s

standards of conduct concerning plagiarism and academic dishonesty. Use of online translators

for work in Spanish will result in an automatic failure.

Linguistic Resource Center: Use of the Writing Center is mandatory for this course for each of

the written essays throughout the semester.

WEEKLY SCHEDULE

Week 1:

• Theme 1: Course Introduction

• Theme 2: Islam as a religious and cultural phenomenon

o Fundamental concepts in understanding the nature and contents of the course.

Projection of a documentary addressing this theme.

Reading: selection of passages of the Corán, hadices and alusive texts to chapters one and two.

Student Presentation and Book Commentary: M. Gaudefroy-Demombynes, Mahoma, Madrid,

Akal, 1990; C. Horrie y P. Chippindale, ¿Qué es el Islam?, Madrid, Alianza, última edición.

Week 2:

• Continuation of the previous Theme

- Presentation of the play: El libro de la escala de Mahoma. Según la versión latina del

siglo XIII de Buenaventura de Siena, Madrid, Siruela, 1996.

• Theme 3: Historical and geographical notions: the medieval Arab world.

o Lecture: Projection of maps so that students have a correct understanding of the

geography of the Middle East and the West in the Middle Ages.

o Historical-cultural documentary on themes 1-3

Week 3:

• Theme 4: The urban environment and the Arab Islamic culture: la madina (city), socio-

cultural and artistic center.

o Urban space: walls, the mosque, the fortress, the castle, the markets, the

granaries, warehouses, the baths and religious schools.

o Spaces beyond the walls: poorer suburbs, places to pray, garden plots…

o Lecture: The students will explore different concepts related to the chapter

previously assigned by the professor.

o Projection of slides and images: Study and commentary

• Week 4:

• Continuation of previous theme

• Presentation of the work: C. Mazzoli-Guintard, Ciudades de al-Andalus: España y

Portugal en la época musulmana (siglos VIII-XV), Granada, Almed, 2000.

Reading: J.C. Rodríguez Estévez, “La mezquita. Un modelo arquitectónico para la comunidad

musulmana”, F. Roldán (ed.), Espiritualidad y convivencia en al-Andalus, Huelva, Universidad,

2006, 127-150.

• Written Topic Synthesis (4-5 pages)

Week 5:

• Theme 5: The house and the garden

o The house: living space and furniture; family; food.

o The gardens: typology and distribution. Oriental models and Andalusian gardens.

o Lecture: Projection of slides and images. Visual recreation of urban spaces in the

cities and of al-Andalus: houses, furniture, material and food of the time.

Organization of a medieval Arab garden.

Readings: R. Arié, “Aspectos de la vida cotidiana: la familia, vivienda y mobiliario, la

alimentación”, en España musulmana (siglos VIII-XV), t. III de la Historia de España de M. Tuñón

de Lara, Barcelona, Labor, 1983; A. Orihuela, “La casa andalusí: un recorrido a través de su

evolución”, G. Borrás, Arte Andalusí, Zaragoza, Dep. Arte e Inst. Estudios Islámicos, 2008, 299-

336.; J. C. Rodríguez Estévez, “El espejo y la serpiente. Una aproximación al jardín islámico”,

F. Roldán Castro (ed.), Al-Andalus y Oriente Medio: pasado y presente de una herencia común,

Sevilla, Fundación El Monte, 2006, 167-193 y apéndice gráfico II.

• A andalusí Breakfast- Oral and Written exposition about the readings already seen.

Written synthesis of 4-5 pages in length.

• Out of classroom activity: Itinerary based on Arab Seville.

Week 6:

o Visit the Real Alcazar of Seville and analyze its architecture and unique aesthetic.

• Mid-term Exam

Friday

o Visit Carmona: visit the castle and gates of Seville; the museum and the gate of Cordoba

and a tour of the streets of Carmona.

• Written presentation of a personal topic about the visit (4-5 pages in length)

Week 7

• Theme 6: Abstraction and figuration.

o Lecture: study and analysis of images relevant to the topic

Readings: Navarro, “La pintura figurativa árabe islámica”, Historia y Cultura del Islam español,

Granada, CSIC, 1988, 115-127; A. Carmona González, “Las religiones monoteístas y la

polémica de las imágenes en el culto”, El Legado de la escultura. Murcia, 1243-1811, Murcia,

Ayuntamiento, 18-20;

Presentation of the novel: PUERTA VÍLCHEZ, José Miguel (ed.), Libertad e innovación.

Caligrafía árabe contemporánea, Madrid, Turner-Casa Árabe, 2010.

Written presentation: synthesis of the readings read about the theme: 2-3 pages in length.

AL-ANDALUS: HISTORY, ART AND CULTURE

Week 8:

• Theme 7: Emirate and caliphate: historical questions

o 7.1- Art of the Caliphate: Qurtuba (Cordoba). Its mosques, baths and the palatial

city Medina Azahara. Decoration and sanctuary arts. Poetry

o Lecture: Study of the history and politics of the era. Its aesthetic keys. Its most

significant examples.

o Projection of slides, images and transparencies

Readings: A. C. Chejne, Historia de España musulmana, Madrid, Cátedra, 1999; J. Vallvé.,

Abderramán III: Califa de España y Occidente (912-961), Barcelona, Ariel, 2003; W. M. Watt,

Historia de la España Islámica, Madrid, Alianza, 2004.

o FRIDAY: Visit Cordoba, visit the archaeological remains and Museum of Medina

Azahara; visit the archaeological complex; visit and study of the artistic and

construction stages of the mosque; tour of the Jewish quarter of Cordoba and a

visit the ancient synagogue of the city.

Week 9:

• Theme 8: The kingdoms of the Taifas, Almorávides and Almohades

o 8.1- Taifa and Almohade art

o 8.2- Almohad art: Ishbiliya (Sevilla) capital of the Almohad Empire in Al-Andalus.

Walls, mosques and minarets (La Giralda), the Torre de Oro, baths. The

decoration. The historical sources and poetry.

▪ Lecture: Study of historical and political questions. Exposition and study of the

aesthetic foundations, paying special attention to the Almohad dynasty for its

particular relevance and architectonic and artistic representation in Seville.

Week 10:

• The reconstruction of the Almohad Seville:

• Tour of Seville´s most emblematic artistic and architectonic sites of the Almohad dynasty:

the Torre de Oro, Abu Hafs palace, Torre de la plata, Coracha; Giralda, Cathedral

(ancient mosque), the Macarena Wall and Garden of the Valley, Door of Cordoba, and

Buhayra.

Readings: A. Jiménez, “Notas sobre la mezquita mayor de la Sevilla almohade”, G. Borrás, Arte

Andalusí, 131-154.

Presentation of the books: G. Borrás, El Islam: de Córdoba al mudéjar, Madrid, Sclay Print, 2003;

O. Grabar, La formación del arte islámico, Madrid, Cátedra, 2000.

Personal written statement about the theme after the theoretical study and the visits: 5 pages in

length.

Week 11:

• The Nazari Kindgdom of Granada: historical issues.

o Nazarí art: civil and religious architecture in Granada. Walls, Mosques, religious

schools, markets, and baths. The Alhambra. Decorative poetry.

o Projection of slides and images. Representative poems of the time.

▪ Study of the historical questions pertinent to this period; study of the key

aesthetics; most representative artistic and architectural examples

Reading: Presentación de libro-: R. Ettinghausen y O. Grabar, Arte y arquitectura del Islam 650-

1250, Madrid, Cátedra, 2000; G. Borrás (coord.), Arte andalusí, Zaragoza, Artigrama, 2009.

Week 12:

• Viewing of a historic-artistic documentary about the period studied. Discussion.

• Review

• Final Exam

Out of classroom activities

(Open to additions and/or modifications)

• Tour, reconstruction and analysis of the urban landscape of the pre-almohade Seville.

• Architectural remains of Moorish origin. Review of architectonic concepts and urban

structures: Alcazar de Sevilla - presentation of Mudejar art.

• Study of the Almohad poliorcetico in the city of Seville system: Torre del Oro, Corach,

walls, Silver Tower, etc.

• Study of urban interventions in the 12th century Seville: atarazanas, bridge of boats,

aqueduct, almunia, etc.

• Visit the most recent archaeological excavations in the Alcázar of Seville.

• Visit the city of Carmona: Alcazar, Seville door, historical and cultural archives of the

municipal museum, the Queen’s Alcazar, Cordoba door.

• Visit the city of Cordoba: mosque and Medina Azahara.

Compulsory readings: Check the weekly schedule

BIBLIOGRAPHY

REFERENCE WORKS

VV.AA. Encyclopedia of Islam, Leiden-Brill, última edición.

MAÍLLO SALGADO, Felipe, Vocabulario de historia árabe e islámica, Madrid, Akal, última

edición.

NEWBY, G.D., Breve enciclopedia del Islam, Madrid, Alianza, 2004.

ISLAM

ANDRAE, Tor, Mahoma, Madrid, Alianza, 1994 (3ª ed.).

GAUDEFROY-DEMOMBYNES, Maurice, Mahoma, Madrid, Akal, 1990.

GONZÁLEZ FERRÍN, Emilio, La palabra descendida. Un acercamiento al Corán, Oviedo, Nobel,

2002.

HORRIE, Chris, y CHIPPINDALE, Peter, ¿Qué es el Islam?, Madrid, Alianza, 1994.

MIQUEL, A., L' Islam et sa civilization, Paris, Armand Colin, 1990.

MOLINA LÓPEZ, Emilio, « Leyes y dictámenes : el estatus femenino en el derecho islámico”, F.

Roldán (ed.), La mujer musulmana en la historia, Huelva, Universidad, 2007, 119-140.

ROLDÁN CASTRO, Fátima (ed.), Voces del Islam, Huelva, Universidad, 2010.

ROLDÁN CASTRO, FÁTIMA (ed.), El mundo árabe como inspiración, Sevilla, Universidad, 2012.

RODRÍGUEZ ESTÉVEZ, Juan Clemente, “La mezquita. Un modelo arquitectónico para la

comunidad musulmana”, F. Roldán (ed.), Espiritualidad y convivencia en al-Andalus, Huelva,

Universidad, 2006, 127-150.

STIERLIN, Henri, El Islam. Desde Bagdad hasta Córdoba. Las edificaciones de los siglos VII al

XIII, Madrid, Taschen, 2009.

ISLAMIC ART

BLAIR, Sheila S. y BLOOM, Jonathan, Arte y arquitectura del Islam, 1250-1800, Madrid,

Cátedra, 1999.

BLAIR S., BLOOM, J., Rivers of Paradise. Water in Islamic Art and Culture, 2010.

BLOOM, Jonathan M. (ed.), Early Islamic Art and Architecture, Asgate, 1999.

BURCKHARD, Titus, El arte del Islam. Lenguaje y significado, Barcelona, Sophia Perennis,

1999.

ETTINGHAUSEN, Richard y GRABAR, Oleg, Arte y arquitectura del Islam. 650-1250, Madrid,

Cátedra, 1996.

GEORGE, K. M., Picturing Islam. Art and Ethics in a Muslim Lifeworld, 2010.

GRABAR, Oleg, La formación del arte islámico, Madrid, Cátedra, 2000.

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PUERTA VÍLCHEZ, J.M., La aventura del cálamo, Granada, Edilux, 2007.

PUERTA VÍLCHEZ, José Miguel (ed.), Libertad e innovación. Caligrafía árabe contemporánea,

Madrid, Turner-Casa Árabe, 2010.

PUERTA VÍLCHEZ J.M., La poética del agua en el Islam, Pontevedra, Trea, 2011.

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DÍEZ JORGE, Elena, El palacio islámico de la Alhambra: Propuestas para una lectura

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FERNÁNDEZ LACOMBA, Juan, “Arte y seducción de al-Andalus”, Paisaje y Naturaleza en al-

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PUERTA VÍLCHEZ, José Miguel, Leer la Alhambra, Granada, Patronato de la Alhambra, 2010.

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Viso, 1992.

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