Name of instructor: Dr. Margaret D’Evelyn, Professor of Art History, William Martin and Mina
Merrill Prindle Professor of Fine Arts
Office location: School of Government 154
Days and times of office hours: Monday and Wednesday, 12:00-1:00. Please stop by, or ask to meet.
Instructor’s contact information: Margaret.DEvelyn@Principia.edu Office x5268
Number of credits: 3SH
Prerequisite: None
Class meets:
School of Nations 219
Catalog description: “This course thematically treats the variety of visual art created in Italy in the
15 th and 16 th centuries, including works by the world-famous Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo,
Raphael, and Andrea Palladio. It also explores the achievements of many other artists in the major centers—Florence, Rome, and Venice—and in courtly settings.”
Required textbook: Stephen J. Campbell and Michael W. Cole, Italian Renaissance Art , 2012 (paper).
ISBN 978-0-500-28943-3
As a “rebirth” of classical antiquity, the Italian Renaissance lays the foundation for centuries of art to come. In this course we survey the visual arts during the centuries that mark the boundary between the medieval and modern worlds. We come to know the individuality and achievements of artists such as Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Donatello, Ghiberti, Masaccio,
Botticelli, Mantegna, the Bellinis, Giorgione, Titian, Veronese, and Tintoretto; and architects such as
Brunelleschi, Leon Battista Alberti, Donato Bramante, Giulio Romano, Jacopo Sansovino, and
Andrea Palladio in their social and historic contexts in Florence, Rome, Venice, the courts, and other centers.
We explore questions and issues of vital concern to these artists and architects, their patrons, and their societies as a whole—as well as to ourselves--as we consider themes such as the impact of contact with the East, the education of women, international trade, religious change and practice
(this is the era of the Protestant Reformation), and politics. All this and more helps us to interpret the meaning of these beautiful and enduring works of art and architecture for their times—and our own. Many central issues concern what we now call ‘sustainability.’
Relationship of Course Outcomes to Art History Program Outcomes
The Art History Program Outcomes expected from the mastery of the material in this course:
“The student will have developed his/her knowledge of various types of Italian Renaissance art and architecture in their cultural context,” and

“The student will have honed his/her skills in researching the history and significance of various
Italian Renaissance works of art and architecture.”
The Course Outcome that applies to the Art History Program Outcome:
“The student will have gained the ability to speak and write about Italian Renaissance works of art and architecture in a systematic, analytic manner.”
These outcomes all align with Arts Area Outcomes, nos. 2 and 4:
“[The student will be able to] demonstrate an understanding of the historical context of the art studied.”
“[The student will be able to] use discipline-specific language to describe the art[s] studied.”
The course will selectively cover the subject matter in the textbook with some supplementary material.
Please see the Calendar at the end of the syllabus for day-by-day reading assignments, dates of tests, and term paper.
 Reading: The reading is to be completed for the next class meeting.
 Sometimes this may take the form of preparing written answers to selected questions related to the chapter.
 In general this reading prepares the student to participate in class discussions on the subject matter as part of the interactive dialogues in our classroom.
 Tests : The tests cover the most important ideas and selected works of art.
 Daily “warm ups ” offer the opportunity for students each to contribute one element in the identification of two works from the previous class: by the name of the artist (when known), the title of the work of art, the era in which it was made, and the meaning of the work to its society. Contributions to these daily “warm-ups” count towards class
 participation.
Students are evaluated on the basis of the following.
 10% Attendance and promptness
 10% Participation in daily oral “warm-up” exercises and classroom discussion
 10% Homework reading assignments (please see Syllabus Calendar) which are to be done before the class meeting, sometimes as short written responses to issues.
 55% Three tests and final: Weeks 3, 6, 10, and the final exam (please see Syllabus Calendar)
First test - identifications of two slides by title, era, region, meaning
(10%)
Second test - as in the first test with the addition of art historical vocabulary terms
(15%)
Third test - as in the second test with the addition of short responses to issues
(15%)
Final exam – as in the third test but based on highlights of the course
(15%)

 15% Research paper. Students will each have the opportunity to speak to their classmates for about 4 minutes on the pair of works of art selected and researched in advance for their term papers. Detailed criteria for how the assignment will be evaluated will be given out in advance with the assignment. The research paper and talk should be an expression of the student’s research and individual insights.
Criteria for how the daily “warm-ups,” homework assignments, and tests will be evaluated will be also given out and discussed when the “warm-ups,” assignments, and tests are to occur.
Success
Success in this class in the past has been based on
1) conscientious reading of the textbook, as outlined on the Syllabus Calendar (26 pp. per class meeting as a general rule) with light note-taking before the material is discussed in class;
2) making flash-cards for the works of art selected by the class--before the next meeting— based on discussions in class and information in the textbook. Each flashcard should feature a clear, undistorted image on one side (as large as reasonably possible: no larger than 8 ½ x 11”—this and smaller-sized images can be printed free of charge in the Marshall
Brooks Library), with the title, date, region, and 4 points of artistic significance [defined as the reasons the work of art is important to the history of thought/civilization] on the other side.
3) mastery of special art historical terms emboldened in the textbook;
4) an excellent attendance record;
5) a love for the works of art and the ideas behind them!
Students find that the “daily warm-up” allows the discussion of the works of art to go deeper than in the initial presentation of the material; skimming the reading after class also aids understanding.
Written homework assignments, note-taking in class, and accurately-made flashcards all provide information essential for review in preparing for tests. Feedback is given for all written homework assignments and tests, and for the stages of the research paper. The instructor also welcomes individual meetings with students to discuss how they are doing in the course.
Attendance and Tardiness
It is importance to arrive early if at all possible, since assignments for homework and the significance of the class work are usually described at the start of class.
Since our course is based on interactive, collaborative learning, your presence is essential to the success of the course. There is no substitute for this aspect of the requirements.
Late Papers/Assignments
PLEASE PRINT YOUR ASSIGNMENTS IN ADVANCE. Assignments are to be typed (for easy review) and printed before class begins. Students are expected to complete assignments when they are due. Late assignments will be accepted only at the professor’s discretion and will not receive full credit.
Academic Honesty/ Plagiarism policy
KEEP YOUR CARDS CLOSE TO YOUR CHEST. Students will be held to the highest standards of academic integrity. The rules for sharing information will vary according to the assignment. If there is any question, the student should ask. Unless otherwise stated, it should be assumed that work is to be done individually.

PLAGIARISM ( Principia College Catalog , pp. 9, 186, 188, 197) is considered a serious offense when done willfully. In Art of the Italian Renaissance, this pertains particularly to the research paper.
Everything quoted from books, articles, and approved on-line sources, should appear in quotation marks in the paper with appropriate Chicago Style endnotes. Please keep the quotes brief, and speak in your own “voice.” Any paraphrases of information in source materials should also be documented in Chicago Style endnotes.
MAKE-UP EXAMS/QUIZZES/ ASSIGNMENTS are the responsibility of the student, who should consult with the professor immediately upon returning to class.
PLEASE PLAN AHEAD IF SPORTS AND FIELD TRIPS ARE ON THE HORIZON. Absences
(including sports and field trips) may be excused if arranged in advance with the professor.
PLEASE BE PROMPT. The professor intends to begin class on time every day. A student’s late arrival could be considered disrespectful to the other students and the professor. If the professor is unavoidably detained or absent and has not been able to notify the class, students may leave 10 minutes after the normal class starting time.
REPORT YOURSELF “IN” in the PROPER MANNER. “In” days will be excused only when the student follows the proper reporting procedure. Please email the instructor before class as well.
Test Policy
FLASH CARDS . Be sure to call Christian Borja (extension 5132) to set up your access to
Blackboard. You will want to check Blackboard at least once a day for the posting of the images from class meetings from which you will make flashcards. The syllabus will also be posted.
You may be permitted to use hand-made flashcards for some portions of tests: issues, but not identifications. The study of carefully-made flashcards is a tried-and-true way of being successful in studying art history.
Technology Policy
PLEASE BE COURTEOUS WITHOUT CELLS. The professor needs to have the full, undistracted attention of all students during class. Phones, iPods, CD players, and other electronic devices are not permitted. Laptop computers may be used in class only for note-taking; they are not encouraged, as it is difficult to observe the slides and the computer at the same time. Turn off your cell phone, and refrain from texting, whistling, singing, or dozing in class (stand up against the back wall if you have trouble with the last!). Please do not leave your seat until class is over. Please do not put your feet up on the furniture, or harm the classroom in any other way.
You will be Foodless but Not Famished
Because Facilities does not permit food or drink (beyond water) in the Art History Classroom, you should feel free to bring food to eat before class but out in the hallway.
Changes to Syllabus
The professor reserves the right to make changes to this published syllabus if it is in the best interest of the educational development of this class. Any such changes will be announced as soon as possible, and, insofar as practical, after consultation with the whole class.

11
12
13
14
8
9
6
7
10
3
4
1
2
5
Readings from the textbook
Week
Chapter 1 – Giotto
Chapters 2-3 – della Quercia and Brunelleschi
Chapters 4-5 - Ghiberti, Alberti, Jacopo Bellini
Chapter 6 - Castagno
Chapters 7-8 – Alberti, Mantegna
Chapters 9-10 - Leonardo
Chapter 11 – Leonardo and Michelangelo
Chapter 12 – Leonardo and Michelangelo, Raphael
Classes do not meet (Spring Break)
Chapters 13-14 – Raphael, Michelangelo, Titian
Chapters 15 - Patronage
Chapter 16-17 – Michelangelo, Titian
Chapter 18 – Morettto, Moroni, Michelangelo, Palladio
Chapters 19-20 - Giambologna
15 Review and presentations
Selected brief supplementary readings will be added as time permits.
Researching and Writing the Term paper
Week 5 Wednesday: A brief typed prospectus for your paper is due before class.
Week 7 Wednesday: A rough outline of your paper is due before class.

Week 10
Week 13
Week 15
Other
Week 3
Week 6
Week 10
Week 11
Week 16
Friday: An introductory paragraph of your paper, a detailed outline, and a completed annotated bibliography is due before class.
Thursday, 5 pm, the 5-page research paper is due in my office.
Presentations of research findings will be given in class.
Short test
Midterm exam
Short test
Field trip to St. Louis Art museum, day tbd
Final exam: Wednesday, 3:30-5:30 pm