Overview

The Minor in Islamic Art & Architecture adds another layer of knowledge to the education of the student, and is open to students within the Architecture & design undergraduate program as well as to undergraduate students from the broader LAU community. The program focuses on a number of core courses and electives directed towards the investigation of a particular area of interest.

Mission

The Minor in Islamic Art & Architecture exposes students of the Architecture & Design program to the artistic and architectural heritage of the Islamic world, thus filling a gap in the current educational programs of architects and designers working in the Arab world. In addition, the minor offers a number of electives to non-major students who may wish to broaden their understanding of this important aspect of the culture of the region.

Program Objectives

The Minor in Islamic Art and Architecture seeks to:

1. introduce students to the rich traditions of Islamic Art and Architecture, and
2. prepare students to respond better to the challenges of practice in the Islamic world.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the Minor in Islamic Art & Architecture, students will acquire:

1. an understanding of the role and breadth of the arts in the various Islamic cultures,
2. basic knowledge of the historic development of Islamic art and architecture in the Islamic world, and the major highlights of these developments, and
3. basic analytical and interpretative skills in examining Islamic art traditions, and in formulating contemporary interpretations of these rich traditions.

Curriculum

A total of 18 credits are required to complete the minor, as per the following:

• Required Courses (6 credits)
• Elective Courses (12 credits)

Required Courses (6 credits)

• ARC375 Introduction to Islamic Art (3 cr.)
• ARC376 Introduction to Islamic Architecture (3 cr.)

Elective Courses (12 credits)

• ARC361 History of Architecture I (3 cr.)
• ARC584 Architecture in the Middle East (3 cr.)
• IAA595 International Studio (3 cr.)
• IAA481 Contemporary Arts in the Islamic World (3 cr.)
• ART331 History of Art I (3 cr.)
• IAA Elective (3 cr.)

IAA Elective Courses (3 credits)

• IAA741 Byzantine and Early Islamic Art and Architecture (3 cr.)
• IAA742 Ayyubid and Mamluk Art and Architecture (3 cr.)
• IAA744 Ornament in Islamic Art and Architecture (3 cr.)
• IAA745 Calligraphy in Islamic Art and Architecture (3 cr.)
• IAA746 Geometry in Islamic Art and Architecture (3 cr.)