ARTH 220 The Mosque (Not offered 2006-2007)*
The mosque (masjid) is the site of communal prayer rituals as well as many other activities in Islamic cultures. By definition, it must simply be a clean space
oriented towards Mecca. In actuality, mosques have taken diverse architectural
forms ranging from simple hypostyle halls of mud-brick to elaborate complexes
of reinforced concrete and plate glass. This course will address the stylistic and
regional differences from the seventh to twentieth century, including the columned halls of the central Arab lands, the centralized domed structures of the
Ottoman world and the courtyard structures of the Persian tradition. Elements of
architectural decoration such as monumental calligraphy, glazed tilework and
carved stucco will also be considered. The course will culminate in a consideration of modern mosque architecture in which tradition and modernism combine to generate new forms of sacred space.
Format: lecture/discussion. Requirements: paper, midterm, term project and final exam.
No prerequisites. Enrollment limit: 40.
Satisfies the non-western and pre-1800 requirements.