| CODE | HPA5050 | ||||||||
| TITLE | Palaeochristian Archaeology and Sacred Art | ||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course | ||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 7 | ||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 5 | ||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Church History, Patrology and Palaeochristian Archaeology | ||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit analyzes the physical evidence concerning the life, practices, celebrations and other Christian rituals from the first centuries to the contemporary era. The depiction of the Christian mysteries, hagiography and Christian symbols is assessed by case studies from different Christian contexts. This is designed through archaeological evidence as well as through the study of Christian art. Study-Unit Aims: This unit aims at a balanced appreciation of the Christian archaeological and artistic patrimony throughout the ages, and how this reflects the life, the beliefs, the practices and the devotions of Christian believers from the late first century to contemporary times. Christian art is presented as a didactic tool with the aim of catechizing Christians and promoting devotion to the Christian mysteries of the faith and the saints. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Formulate a description regarding early Christian places of worship, burial sites, early basilicas and churches; - Evaluate Christian sacred art, an comprehend Christian symbols and their relevance to the Creed; - Compare and contrast different styles of Christian art from varying eras in the history of the Church. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Discuss the general aspects of a Christian archaeological site, e.g. catacombs and other early burial sites, the foundations of a Christian church or basilica, the various layers from the excavation of a Christian site, sarcophagi; - Distinguish the different areas of such sites, and present their respective uses; - Identify and evaluate different forms of Christian art 鈥� from burial art and artifacts, frescoes, statues, mediaeval art, Renaissance paintings down to Baroque and Rococo era, as well as contemporary Christian art; - Highlight and rate the respective features of different expressions of the mentioned forms of Christian art. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main Texts: - Norman, Edward, The House of God: Church Architecture, Style and History (London and New York: Thames & Hudson, 1990). - Wilson, Christopher, The Gothic Cathedral: The Architecture of the Great Church 1130-1530 (London and New York: Thames & Hudson, 1990). - Burch Brown, Frank, Good Taste, Bad Taste and Christian Taste: Aesthetics in Religious Life (Oxford: OUP, 2000). - Pattison, George, Art, Modernity and Faith: Restoring the Image (London: MacMillan, 1991). - Stiebing, William H., Uncovering the Past (New York: OUP, 1994). |
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| ADDITIONAL NOTES | Pre-requisite Study-unit: HPA1100 - Early Christian History | ||||||||
| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture and Fieldwork | ||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Keith Buhagiar Jonathan Farrugia |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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