CL7022 Lost in the Labyrinth? ‘Reading’ Aegean Bronze Age art

Module Organiser: Dr. Christine Morris
Duration: One Term (2012-13: Jan-Apr)
Contact Hours: 22 hrs (1 x 2-hr seminar p.w.)
Weighting: 10 ECTS
Assessment: 2 written assignments.

Overview

The material culture of the Aegean Bronze Age is visually rich and artistically engaging with its well-known imagery of bull leaping, snake-wielding goddesses and ecstatic rituals. It also offers many challenges for interpretation: to what extent can we ‘read’ or interpret the images and artefacts of the Minoans and Mycenaeans? In this course we will explore themes such as social power, interaction with Egypt and the Near East, gender, human-animal relations, the nature of ritual practices, the characterisation of the Minoans and Myceneaeans, and the relationship between Bronze Age imagery and later Greek myth. Our case studies will reflect the interests of the class, but will include the frescoes of Thera, miniature images on exquisite gold rings and seal-stones, figurines made from smooth marble and humble clay, and the labyrinthine palatial architecture of Minoan Crete.

Aims

• To acquire a sound knowledge of the artistic and iconographic traditions of the Aegean Bronze Age
• To develop appropriate skills in analysing artefacts
• To have an understanding of Aegean Bronze Age art in its social and religious contexts
• To become familiar with current methodologies, theoretical perspectives and debates in the study of prehistoric art

Working Methods

The course will be taught as a series of student-led discussion seminars. Guidance for reading and topics will be given in class.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:

• To describe and analyse artefacts accurately and elegantly
• To evaluate critically differing interpretations in secondary literature
• To apply different methodologies and theoretical approaches to independent work
• To communicate information and arguments effectively in both oral presentations (using appropriate visual materials) and in written form.

Assessment

This module requires the completion of assignments as directed by the lecturer. All assignments are compulsory.