The Netherlands Institute for Academic Studies in Damascus (NIASD)

presents the

Summer Course

20 June – 11 July 2010

Christian and Islamic Art and Architecture

a heritage of religious interaction in its social and cultural contexts

This summer course is supported by the Faculty of Humanities of Leiden University

General introduction

Syria is a fascinating country. Here, East meets West, various religious communities have been living side by side throughout the ages, and testimonies of their interaction can be found scattered around the landscape and in the cities. Moreover, the capital Damascus is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities of the world. This city and its surroundings form an ideal playground for scholars and inquisitive students, even more so because many archaeological, architectural and art-historical aspects of Syria’s past, from Late Antiquity until the present, remain to be studied. Realizing the excellent opportunities this country offers to students, the Netherlands institute in Damascus initiated a unique course with an integrated, interdisciplinary approach to Christian and Islamic art and architecture, with particular attention to the Damascus area and with the inclusion of monuments and works of art from Late Antiquity. The first edition of this course was successfully delivered in 2009. In this document we present the second edition of this course, which starts on 20 June 2010. Over a period of three weeks, you will get acquainted with fine examples of Antique, Christian and Islamic art and architecture and acquire insights into their interrelations and social and cultural contexts. The course will provide a combination of classroom lectures and excursions with instruction on the spot. Experienced tutors from Leiden University and the University of Amsterdam will deliver this course. The excursions within Damascus (including the Umayyad Mosque and the National Museum) and to sites in its vicinity (including Bosra, and the monasteries of Saydnaya and St Moses near Nebk) form an integral part of the course and ensure a lively approach to the arts.

Chronological and geographical scope

The focus of the course stretches from the 3rd century to the end of the 19th century. Some attention will be given as well to the influence of that period on present-day Syria, its reflection in modern public spaces and museums, and its importance in view of cultural tourism. While the course itself will be delivered in Damascus and its surroundings and will focus on art and architecture located there, parts of the course content may cover the wider area of present-day Syria and the surrounding countries.

Course themes

In addition to a general introduction, the course will focus on three specific themes which will be reflected in most of the subjects to be discussed. The themes in 2010 are: Continuity and Innovation, Life and Death and Sacred Space. Many artistic and architectural concepts persisted throughout the ages and were incorporated into the repertoire of different religious groups, with adaptations however to their specific requirements and with the inclusion of new elements. The Damascene Umayyad Mosque is an outstanding example of the continuity of Late Antique and Christian traditions represented in a new context. Continuity and innovation also typify the medieval Christian church art of the Damascus area which at the same time displays persisting oriental traditions and an evident interaction with contemporary Byzantine, Crusader and Islamic art.

The theme of continuity and innovation is most prominent in sacred spaces.

Damascus is one of the few places where ancient Christian, Islamic and Jewish monuments can be found together. The reputed third-century synagogue of Dura Europos has been reconstructed inside the National museum; churches from the sixth century survive in rural areas, and mosques from different periods are present within the city. The course focuses on the functioning of these buildings in relation to the practice of religious celebration. Finally, the preoccupation of religious cultures with life and death is reflected in funerary customs, art objects and monuments. The Damascus area offers excellent opportunities for a broad study of this subject, e.g. the Palmyrene collection in the National Museum, and Islamic mausoleums which are still today visited by large groups of pilgrims.

Course lecturers

This summer course has been developed in close cooperation with Prof. Bas ter Haar Romeny of the Faculty of Religious Studies of Leiden University. The 2010 course lecturers include Dr. Mat Immerzeel (School of Middle Eastern Studies of the Faculty of Humanities of Leiden University), Dr. Lucinda Dirven (Research group Ancient History of the Faculty of Humanities of the University of Amsterdam), Dr. Robbert Woltering (Chair Group Arabic Language and Culture of the University of Amsterdam) and Dr. Luit Mols (research consultant Islamic art and culture).

Course requirements, language and credits

The course is accessible to BA and MA students with a relevant background (e.g. in art history, archaeology, history, theology, Islamic studies, and Arabic studies). All lectures will be given in English. The course will be concluded with an exam (5 ECTS) for which the participants will receive a pass sheet from Leiden University.

MA students may choose to write an additional paper under the supervision of one of the Dutch tutors (for an extra 5 ECTS). Students at Leiden University may choose this course in the integrated programme Art and Material Culture of Asia and the Middle East or in the Master programmes Religious Studies and Area Studies which both have a track Christianity of the Middle East. See for more information: http://studiegids.leidenuniv.nl/en/studies/show/keuzepakket_kunst_en_materiele_cultuur_van_azie_en_het_midden-oosten  / http://studiegids.leidenuniv.nl/studies/show/middle_eastern_studies_research_christianity_of_the_middle_east/2009-2010     

Course period, dates and times

The course consists of three course weeks with lectures and excursions, and an exam. The first course day will be on 20 June 2010, the last on 8 July 2010. The exam will be on 11 July 2010. Classes are from Sunday to Thursday, from 09h00 to 17h00. These hours include lunch breaks as well as group and/or reading assignments; for the excursion days different hours may apply. See the course programme below for more details.

Course fee and scholarships

For Dutch (or other non-Syrian) students the course fee is 850 Euro. This includes: course materials, excursions, certificate, assistance with arranging visa and residence permits, individual airport transfer upon arrival, simple accommodation for the period of 18 June (12h00) untill 12 July (12h00) 2010. Applicants may also choose to apply for this course without housing (700 Euro) or with housing in an apartment with air-conditioning (1000 Euro). For more information on the housing options, see below. Not included: flight ticket (appr. 500- 600 Euro), travel insurance and international health insurance (appr. 75 Euro), visa (for Dutch students appr. 35 Euro for a single entry, or around 75 Euro for a multiple entry visa arranged in the Netherlands; for students of other nationalities other visa prices may apply), living costs other than accommodation (appr. 15 Euro per day), taxi back to the airport and airport exit tax (together appr. 35 Euro). There are 18 places for Dutch and other non-Syrian students and 2 places for Syrian students. The course fee for the Syrian students is 13000 Syrian Pounds. That course fee includes all course materials and course excursions as well as the certificate. Students of Leiden University, the University of Amsterdam, Radboud University and Groningen University may apply for scholarships for this course at international offices of their faculty or university; see below for more details. Please note that other universities or faculties may have similar scholarship possibilities: check this with your university or faculty!!!

Application deadline: 15 March 2010

The application form for this course is available on the website of the institute. The deadline for application is 15 March 2010. Before that date your course fee must have been received on the bank account of the institute which is indicated on the application form. At the latest on 31 March 2010 the institute will inform all students whether or not the course will indeed run. For more information see the terms and conditions of our summer courses which are published on our website.

Terms and Conditions

Applying for this course implies acceptance of the terms and conditions of our

summer courses which are published on our website.