D: Ancient Art in Athenian Museums

The museum landscape of the wider Athens area provides abundant material for the study of ancient art in direct contact with the artworks themselves. Exploiting the knowledge gained in compulsory courses of History and Theory, we seek in this advanced course to critically approach the multiple meanings of selected works of ancient Greek and Roman art (mainly sculpture) as historical sources, means of sociopolitical action, aesthetic objects, technical achievements and museum exhibits. The course includes introductory lectures by the course instructor, in situ oral presentations by students of works in museums and common discussion. Evaluation will be based on the oral presentation, the relevant written paper and the final written examination.