Monsters, Art, and Civilization (317-0-20)

Instructors

Ann Gunter
847/467-0873
Kresge 4333

Meeting Info

Kresge Centennial Hall 2-343: Tues, Thurs 9:30AM - 10:50AM

Overview of class

Griffins, sphinxes, demons, and other fabulous creatures appear frequently in the art of ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, and the Eastern Mediterranean world. They stand at the intersection of the normal and abnormal, the natural and unnatural. Why did these images become so widespread, and what cultural functions did they serve? Can we connect their invention and dissemination with key moments in human history and cross-cultural interaction? What was the role of material representations of the supernatural in preventing and healing disease, and in coping with other human misfortunes? Why have they become a significant subject in the study of ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, and their neighbors?

This course explores the supernatural subject in ancient art with new perspectives drawn from art history, history, anthropology, cognitive science, and archaeology. Employing art historical methodologies of formal and stylistic analysis and iconographic interpretation, we will examine a wide range of objects and representations (including architectural sculptures, figurines, seals, amulets, and other media) along with ancient texts that help us understand their meaning and function. Since these objects and their images largely formed the visual culture encountered in the daily lives of many individuals, we are able to engage with numerous objects belonging to non-elite members of society and that remain outside the established canon of histories of ancient art. We are also able to understand how ideas about the supernatural developed in response to specific circumstances of environment, history, and culture.

Learning Objectives

1. To describe and analyze how scholars today are approaching the study and interpretation of supernatural creatures in ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia from different disciplinary perspectives (including art history, anthropology, history of religion, cognitive science, history of medicine)

2. To define and apply art historical methodologies to visual representations of supernatural creatures: formal and stylistic analysis, iconographic investigation, material culture studies, object biographies and itineraries

3. To explain and compare ancient written records and archaeological contexts as primary sources for investigating the meaning, function, creation, and manipulation of supernatural entities (including literary texts; rituals, spells, and incantations; excavated contexts such as houses, palaces, and tombs)

4. To describe the natural environments in which these ancient cultures developed and their concepts of the natural and supernatural world

5. To assess cross-cultural and transhistorical approaches to the study and interpretation of supernatural creatures. What are the advantages and limitations of this perspective?

Class Attributes

Historical Studies Foundational Discipline
Literature and Arts Foundational Discipline
Historical Studies Distro Area
Literature & Fine Arts Distro Area

Enrollment Requirements

Enrollment Requirements: REASON: Pre-registration is not allowed for this class. Please try again during regular registration.