Mosques, Palaces and Gardens in the Golden Age of Islam (P02465)

? Credit Points : 20 ? SCQF Level : 11 ? Acronym : ACE-P-P02465

Rising at the confluence of several older traditions, Islamic architecture reached astounding levels of refinement during its first four centuries. This course explores its growth in this period through the study of key cities and buildings. What were, for example, the roots of the first major Islamic monument, the Dome of the Rock? Why was Baghdad founded as a round, concentric city by the Abbasid dynasty? How did certain architectural models spread from Iraq to Spain? What was the role of gardens in this tradition? These and other questions will constitute the practical thread of the course. Using evidence from buildings, archeology and texts, we will trace the evolution of architectural form and seek to understand the deeper meaning attached to it, its political and symbolical dimensions.

Entry Requirements

none

Subject Areas

Home subject area

History of Art, (School of Arts, Culture and Environment, Schedule A)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : Postgraduate

? Delivery Period : Not being delivered

? Contact Teaching Time : 2 hour(s) per week for 11 weeks

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

Students will gain detailed knowledge of the main monuments and cities of the golden age of Islam, placed within a broad cultural and historical context. They will engage in a reflection about the multiple factors at play in the design of architectural buildings: faith, power, symbol... They will thus be encouraged to hold a critical stance to both the analysis of objects and their modern interpretation.

Mosques, Palaces and Gardens in the Golden Age of Islam

1. Introduction
2. The Origins of the Mosque
3. The Dome of the Rock
4. Umayyad Mosque Architecture
5. The Desert Castles: Form and function
6. Reading week
7. The Foundation of Baghdad
8. Mosques, palaces and gardens at Samarra
9. The Nine-Dome Mosque
10. The Great Mosque of Cordoba
11. The Garden in Early Islam