Meets with F307 and F540. Turkish Art and Architecture at once
introduces Turkish culture through art and exemplifies the methods of
material culture analysis. In lectures accompanied by slides, the
landscape and buildings, the weaving and pottery of Turkey will
provide an understanding of Islamic art, of the convergence of
creativity and spirituality, while describing historical and
contemporary varieties of creative action. The emphasis will be on
the artists themselves, the women
and men of Turkey; the matter of how material culture is to be
studied will be regularly addressed. For folklorists, the course will
fill both area and theory requirements. For art historians, the
course can amount to an entry to Islam. For anthropologists, the
course can be taken as an introduction to Turkey. For students of
Near Eastern Languages and Cultures, the course will relate Middle
Eastern culture, religion, and art. All graduate students and
advanced undergraduates are welcome. There will be a single paper,
not necessarily related to Turkey, but focusing upon the deep topic
of the course, the relation of art, religion, and human needs.