THEMATIC SEMINAR (NEAR AND MIDDLE EAST)

The thematic seminar, offered as part of the Master's Degree Program in Language and Civilisation of Asia and Mediterranean Africa (curriculum: Near and Middle East), aims to explore a specific subject by examining it from an interdisciplinary perspective. During the a.y. 2026/2027, the seminar will focus on historical carpets and textiles, providing basic critical and methodological tools for the analysis and contextualisation of these artworks. In particular, it will explore the intersection between history, art, and literature, as well as the relationships with European arts and their mutual influences.

- Knowledge and understanding: foundational knowledge and understanding of the art of historical carpets and textiles, basic terminology of the subject, criteria used for scientific cataloguing, differences and similarities among the different production areas considered, and the iconographic themes analysed.

- Ability to apply knowledge and understanding: proper use of technical terminology and tools for scientific cataloguing; recognition of types and artworks under study.

- Analytical skills: ability to critically analyse an artwork, relating it to a correct geographical, temporal, and cultural context; ability to articulate arguments with appropriate language and formal analysis; the ability to formulate and argue hypotheses, also developing a critical approach when evaluating alternative proposals.

- Communication skills: ability to use appropriate and specific terminology, introduced and explained during lectures and/or in references; ability to apply good Italian syntax and grammar; ability to engage in respectful and productive discussions with professors and peers.

- Learning skills: recognition and critical analysis skills, making comparisons on a thematic, formal, and poetic basis; ability to read reference texts and their bibliographies from a critical viewpoint.

No specific prerequisites.

Introduction to the art of historical carpets and textiles through the analysis of a selection of case studies from, or related to, the Near and Middle East: tools for scientific cataloguing; styles, iconography, and perceptions; historical and literary sources; elements of the history of collecting; elements of the history of restoration; forgeries and forgers; relationships with European arts and their mutual influences; contemporary notes. Artworks from both public and private collections (national and international) will be examined.

The bibliography will be available on Moodle before the lectures begin. Further references will be given throughout the course.

Learning assessment will be conducted by means of an oral test. The exam aims to verify that students have acquired knowledge from the topics covered during the course, and understood the fundamental concepts found in the references and didactic resources available on the university's Moodle platform.

oral

The lecturer has a duty to ensure that the rules regarding the authenticity and originality of exam tests and papers are respected. Therefore, if there is suspicion of irregular conduct, an additional assessment may be conducted, which could differ from the original exam description.

Grades will be assigned according to the following criteria:

A. Grades in the 18-22 range will be awarded for: sufficient knowledge and understanding of the topics discussed; minimal ability to deepen and cross-link contents; limited ability to use relevant information and exercise independent judgement; adequate communication skills.

B. Grades in the 23-26 range will be awarded for: fair knowledge and understanding of the topics discussed; fair ability to deepen and cross-link contents; fair ability to use relevant information and exercise independent judgement; fair communication skills.

C. Grades in the 27-30 range will be awarded for: good or very good knowledge and understanding of the topics discussed; good or very good ability to deepen and cross-link contents; good or very good ability to use relevant information and exercise independent judgement; communication skills fully appropriate.

D. Honours will be awarded in the presence of excellent knowledge and understanding of the topics discussed; excellent ability to deepen and cross-link contents; excellent and effective communication skills.

The course will consist of lectures featuring projected images, discussions of texts, and student participation through reading exercises focused on the works of art under discussion. Thematic lectures also given by other scholars and experts in the field, practical sessions, and visits to both public and private collections will be arranged. All teaching materials will be uploaded to the university's e-learning platform (moodle.unive.it).

Attendance is highly recommended. Non-attending students are kindly requested to contact the lecturer early in the semester.

This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "Human capital, health, education" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development