Course content

The course gives an introduction to churches as ritual and liturgical spaces, from the Middle Ages to the present day. In particular, it focuses on church decoration and furnishings in Norwegian medieval churches. In addition, it provides an introduction to archival studies and church archaeological examination methods, with particular attentions to the past ritual uses of a building. The course also addresses the theoretical basis for antiquarian choices made in the process of a restoration of interiors and furnishings. The course will be useful for those who are going to do a preliminary project for the restoration of a church, and for those who want to work with the dissemination of church history and cultural heritage.

The course can be taken as a stand-alone course, or together with KUH6000 and KUH6003. These courses are approved as courses in NTNU's master's degree program in art history.

Learning outcome

After completing the course, the candidate should have:

Knowledge

• Have knowledge of the development of liturgy, and the ability to see traces of this in the building
• Have a good overview of different types of furnishings in older churches
• Have knowledge of the role of the church in society throughout the ages
• Have knowledge of Norwegian church art in the Middle Ages and modern times
• Have knowledge of the consequences of the Reformation for the church spaces
• Have a good overview of decorative painting and murals in churches, and some insight into issues related to conservation

Skills

• Be able to understand a building's use and history of change based on traces in the building
• Have good knowledge of liturgical development and the role of art and the church building in religious practice
• Understand the development of conservation theory
• Have archival knowledge, and an understanding of where to obtain knowledge, about a church’s development through the ages

Learning methods and activities

Ten digital and two physical sessions. The first and last sessions are physical. We visit the NTNUs Museum's collection of church art and the State Archives. The remaining eight lectures are fully digital, but are taught in real time and the format alternates between short lectures, digital group work and conversations with guest lecturers. Relevant and updated literature is linked to each session/lecture.

Students are required to attend the first on-site session and at least 6 of the 8 digital sessions. Attendance at the final on-site session is not mandatory but is recommended.

Compulsory assignments

• Mandatory assignment
• 200-400 pages self-selected syllabus
• 70% oppmøte

Specific conditions

Course materials

600 pages of syllabus

200-400 pages of a self-chosen topic