Rock, Paper, Sword: The Media of the Ancient and Medieval World

An introduction to the art of the ancient and medieval world. Utilizing the three elements of rock, paper and sword, this course examines how different Western, Asian, and Islamic cultures approached art in these media. Exploring rock involves both architecture and sculptural representation; examining paper engages issues of two-dimensional media and the sweeping changes caused by the introduction of paper and considering the sword includes both the production of metalwork and the artistic scope of ancient and medieval empires. A museum visit as well as the College’s collection of plaster casts and artifacts will be integral to the course. Slide presentations, lectures, and discussion. This course satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement in Arts.

St. Mary’s College of Maryland reserves the right to provide some or all of the course content through alternative methods of course delivery, including remote methods of delivery, and it reserves the right to change the method of delivery at any time before or during the academic term, in the event of a health or safety emergency or similar situation when it determines, in its sole discretion, that such change is necessary and in the best interests of the College and the campus community.