Traditional Islamic Arts (Summer)
This is a 3-week course for art students focusing on production of traditional Islamic art forms in calligraphy, illumination, wood, gypsum plaster carving, zillij tile mosaics and miniature painting. This course, offered in cooperation with the Institute of Traditional Islamic Arts in Amman, introduces students to the study of traditional Islamic art in two interlocking modules. The first focuses on the basic concepts of the sacred geometry that is the basis of traditional Islamic art. The second consists of a project in one of six media –calligraphy, illumination, Persian miniature painting, gypsum carving, zillij (mosaic tile work), or wood working.
In the first module students study the underlying principles of sacred geometry and practice the production of those geometric patterns that recur in traditional Islamic art forms through the repeated drawing of circles from which the traditional Islamic geometric patterns emerge.
In the second module, more complex patterns will be used to create a work combining all three representations of Islamic art – geometry, calligraphy and biomorphic motifs. By the end of the course students will understand that the language of pattern represents the "breath of the compassionate" in both visual and metaphysical manifestations.
Partner Institution - Institute of Traditional Islamic Arts and Architecture
Founded in 1998 based on an initiative of His Royal Highness Prince Ghazi Bin Muhammad, the Institute of Traditional Islamic Arts and Architecture (ITIAA) is the first institute in the Arab world entirely dedicated to teaching and the preservation of traditional arts and architecture of Islam. It operates under the aegis of the Aal Al Bayt Foundation for Islamic Thought. Beginning with the mastery of geometry, biomorphic design, and calligraphy, students learn the three main ornamentations found in Islamic art. Later, students may move on to more traditional crafts such as wood-working, gypsum carving, ceramics, brass-working, and manuscript calligraphy.
Over the last decade, the Institute has grown in prestige and now undertakes significant projects in addition to its academic programs. Its most exciting initiative was ITIAA students' reconstruction of the Minbar, or pulpit, of Salah al-Din Ayyubi for the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. The College awards the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Traditional Islamic Arts and is currently developing Master's and PhD degree programs in Islamic Arts and Architecture. For more information about the Institute click here to visit its website (http://itiaa.edu.jo)
Housing
Students will live and share meals with Jordanian host families throughout their program. All families have been carefully screened by AMIDEAST/Jordan from a database of qualified applicants and families generally host two AMIDEAST students at a time. All host families are Arabic-speaking; English, however, is spoken in most of the homes.
AMIDEAST matches students with host families using a variety of criteria. While all placement preferences may not be met in every case, AMIDEAST will strive to make the best match to ensure a rewarding and pleasant living experience. In the event of a problem, AMIDEAST Education Abroad Program staff members will be available either to mediate or to arrange a new host family placement. Students will be provided with all meals by their host families but may find that some days it is not possible to return to the family for lunch because of class schedules.
Orientation
Upon arrival in Amman, AMIDEAST Education Abroad Program students participate in an orientation designed to introduce them to Jordanian culture and daily life and familiarize them with the logistics of the program. Topics such as safety and health, cultural adjustment, program regulations, participant responsibilities and other essential information are all discussed during orientation.
Excursions
During the course AMIDEAST organizes an Amman city tour and a one day trip to Madaba and the Dead Sea. For students also participating in the Summer Session II Intensive Arabic Program, they will have the opportunity to take part in a second excursion to Jerash and Ajloun. AMIDEAST staff are also happy to provide information and even assistance with arrangements for independent travel to other parts of Jordan. There will be plenty of time and opportunity to explore your options once you arrive in Jordan and the program begins.
Optional: Arabic Language Extension
In addition to the 3-week Traditional Islamic Arts course, students can also choose to continue their experience in Jordan by participating in the 4-week Intensive Arabic Summer Session II which begins two days following the close of the Arts course.
