HISTORY OF ARMENIAN CULTURE
The course of «History of Armenian Culture» provides theoretical fundamental knowledge about the reasons of how the Armenian architecture, applied arts, literature, phylosophy, science and etc. developed the exact way. It also presents the basic concepts of comparison of Armenians' cultural achievements with other peoples' culture in different historical periods, and the influence of others on our cultural achievements and vice versa.
The geographical position, history, natural resources, peoples' mentality and phsycology have had a great impact on each existing culture, as well as on the Armenian one. For instance, the development of cross-stone art was based on the variety of plentiful stone types, on the one hand, and some political reasons, on the other. Some elements of Armenian architecture lay in the basis of Gothic architecture in Europe. As to the Armenian church architecture, it has its unique design, because since the 5th century the majority of churches have had a cross in their layouts. Armenian medieval towns, being in many ways like the Eastern ones, had a developed infrastructure /e.g. water supply and sewage systems/ and strong fortress and defence systems. Armenian craftsmen are known all over the world. They were especially skilled in ceramics, stone and wood carving, carpet making. The latter has its unique ornaments, that make Armenian carpets distinctive from Persian and Eastern ones. The Armenian medieval miniaturists of Cilicia are known all over the world. The Armenian epic folk “Sasna Tsrer” was included in UNESCO cultural heritage.
2 credits 60 hours
THE PURPOSE OF THE COURSE IS:
- To get the students to understand the historical origins of the Armenian Art and Culture by reading and analysing the recommended books and inet materials.
- To get the students to study some aspects of Armenian Art and Culture.
AT THE END OF THE COURSE THE STUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO:
- tell the main course material, present facts, phenomena, give basic definitions;
- distinguish architectural monuments and artifacts of different periods;
- make their own conclusions about this or that cultural object;
- compare and distinguish a cultural monument or household item created by the Armenians from one created by other nations;
- appreciate or criticize cultural monuments created by the Armenians in different periods;
- master the methodology of self-study in the future;
THE LIST OF RECOMMENDED BOOKS AND ARTICLES
Anatoly Yakobson The Art of the Khachkars – Armenian cross-stones, Yerevan, 1978
Hamlet Petrosyan, Khachkar, Yerevan, 2015
Ashot Piliposyan, Ani, Yerevan, 2016
Peter Cowe, Ani, Virginia, 2001
Sandjyan Avedis, Medieval Armenian manuscrips at the University of California
Sirarpi Ter- Nersessyan, Armenian Art, Yerevan, 1991
- Abrahamyan, Armenian Folk, Art, Culture and Identity, Yerevan, 2001
- Abrahamian, Armenian Identity in a Changing World, Yerevan, 2006
Dickran Kouymjian, David of Sassoun, Frezno, 2013
Kalantaryan A., Armenian in the Cultural Context of East and West, Yerevan, 2009
http://z4.invisionfree.com/Armenian_History/ar/t92.htm
http://www.iatp.am/ara/sites/carpets/carpet3.htm
http://www.magaghat.am/2015/01/eng-the-symbolism-of-the-ornaments-in-armenian-carpets/?lang=en
