ARTH 4591

I took this class as History of Islamic Calligraphy and found it an enjoyable and rewarding class. Dr. Phillips runs the course in such a way as to expose students to the breadth of Islamic Calligraphy, ranging from painted truck in Pakistan, to Ottoman Qur'ans, to Mamluk and Safavid inscriptions on ceramics, architecture, and metalwork. The workload is a bit tedious but for the most part informative and engaging. Throughout the semester we had weekly readings for which short written analyses were required before each class, along with a timed take-home mid-term essay, formal analysis assignments, and a handful of individual and group presentations on different pieces of artwork that reflect Islamic calligraphy. None of the assignments are especially difficult, but in the aggregate, there is plenty there that will keep a diligent student busy throughout the semester. The professor, Dr. Phillips is very knowledgeable and is exceptionally helpful in bringing outside information to bear. While firm on deadlines and participating in class, she keeps things moving so that class is always (usually) engaging and informative. Since the field is rather small, she personally knows many of the authors you will read in class (or meet during field trips, if you are lucky) and can offer personal perspectives to enhance a student's understanding of how the experts were trained or why they chose certain approaches to their publications. From the perspective of a MESALC student, this class offers an opportunity to study a key aspect of Islamic culture while adding historical perspectives on the development of Arabic writing in general, calligraphy in particular, and broad views of major dynastic elements that influenced Islamic art. For MESALC students, this is a very nice course to round out your knowledge of the region and culture as an elective.