2010/11 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

ARTF2123 The Architecture of the Italian Renaissance, 1400-1600

20 creditsClass Size: 29

Module manager: Dr Urszula Szulakowska
Email: u.s.szulakowska@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2010/11

This module is approved as an Elective

Module summary

This module will explore critically some major architectural projects undertaken during the Italian Renaissance from ca. 1390s through to ca. 1600. Students will also be asked to engage with selected examples of important projects in other countries influenced by the Italian Renaissance, such as, for example, the British Isles, or France, or Eastern Europe. Both secular and clerical patronage will be examined in its effects on the introduction of the classical revival and in determining the continuing gothic influences on style and building-method.

Objectives

On completion of this module, students should have gained a sound understanding of some of the major Renaissance architects and architectural projects in Italy ca. 1390s-1600, as well as of some selected examples of architecture from other countries influenced by the Italian Renaissance.

They should have a sound comprehension of the socio-political and economic context of the architects and works involved and should understand the cultural, intellectual and religious changes occurring at this time. They should be capable of undertaking a sophisticated and informed analysis of selected problems and case-studies related to the architecture of this period. Students should be able to engage critically with the comparative historiography of the Renaissance.

Learning outcomes
- Research skills in reading and interpreting original sources from the 15th and 16th centuries (in anthologies of translated primary materials).
- Comprehension of selected major architectural schemes and the process of their development in the Renaissance period.
- Understanding of the factors affecting the commissioning of architectural projects in this period ie. political and socio-economic pressures and influences.
- The ability to analyse critically the secondary authorities and to produce their own balanced evaluations of the subject of study.
- Skills in communicating verbally the outcomes of research to a group of students.
- Ability to work as part of a research group, as well as independently.
- Comprehending the origins of classicism and the reasons for its enshrinement at the pinnacle of architectural endeavour in western architecture through to the late 19th century.
- Establishing a basis for further study of Renaissance art-history and culture at third year and postgraduate level.

Syllabus

This module will explore critically some major architectural projects undertaken during the Italian Renaissance from ca. 1390s through to ca. 1600. Students will also be asked to engage with selected examples of important projects in other countries influenced by the Italian Renaissance, such as, for example, the British Isles, or France, or Eastern Europe.

Attention will be paid to the treatises written by architects such as Alberti and Palladio and to contemporary biographies of architects, such as those written by Manetti and Vasari.

Studies will be made of selected case-studies from the architecture of this period and of the issue of patronage in developing the changing character and public role of the architect.

Both secular and clerical patronage will be examined in its effects on the introduction of the classical revival and in determining the continuing gothic influences on style and building-method.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	10	1.00	10.00
Seminar	10	1.00	10.00
Private study hours			180.00
Total Contact hours			20.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

Researching textual and visual materials for set essay (30 hours)
Reading in preparation for lectures and seminars (reading is set each week and discussed in class)
Resources include library and IT provision, as well as art museums and art-galleries
Revision for exam

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Attendance monitoring, participation in class discussion, seminar presentation

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	2-3,000 word essay	50.00
Presentation	.	0.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		50.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Exams

Exam type	Exam duration	% of formal assessment
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc)	1 hr	50.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		50.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 31/03/2011

Disclaimer

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