Stanford University - Continuing Studies Program

CSP-Sociology 26 Gothic Cathedrals and Great Churches of England, 1150-1350 Syllabus

Instructor

Robert A. Scott

Associate Sirector, Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences, Stanford, CA 94305
(415) 321-2052 (work)
(415) 857-9515 (home)

Course reading material

Required:

1. Robert Branner, Gothic architecture, George Braziller, New York, 1991 (first published 1961).
2. Jean Gimpel, The cathedral builders (translated by Teresa Waugh), HarperPerennial, 1992. (Translated version first published in 1983; French original 1961.)
3. Course reader 1: Gothic cathedrals (selected readings).
4. Course reader 2: Tim Tatton-Brown, Great cathedrals of Britain (original published by BBC Books, London, 1989).

Recommended:

1. Ronald C. Finucane, Miracles and pilgrims, New York: St. Martin's press, 1995.
2. Ken Follet, The pillars of the Earth, Signet, 1990.
3. Barbara Hanawalt, The ties that bound.
4. Otto von Simpson, The gothic cathedral, Princeton University Press, 3rd edition, 1988.

Course schedule

January 14

Introduction: Basic Terms and Concepts, The Puzzle of Gothic Cathedrals
Lecturer: Robert Scott

Assigned Readings (course reader):
(1) Christopher Wilson, The Gothic Cathedral, pp. 293-294; Cross-Sectional Diagram
(2) Glossary of Ecclesiastical and Liturgical Terms

January 21

The History and Dating of Salisbury Cathedral
Lecturers: Robert Scott; Yoshio Kusaba, Professor of Art History, Cal State, Chico

Assigned Readings (course reader):
(1) Peter Kidson, The Historical Circumstances and The Principles of the Design, pp. 37-91, from Salisbury Cathedral. RCHME, 1993. HMSO London
(2) Pamela Blum

January 28

Now Gothic Cathedrals Were Built
Lecturers: Robert Scott; Richard Jones, Engineer

Assigned Reading:
(1) Jean Gimpel, The Cathedral Builders

February 4

Gothic Cathedrals of England
Lecturer: Virginia Jansen, Professor of Art History, UC, Santa Cruz

Assigned Reading (course reader):
(1) Tim Tatton-Brown, Great Cathedrals of Britain, pp. 75-152.

February 11

Esthetics, Music and Liturgy
Lecturer: William Mahrt, Professor of Music, Stanford University

Assigned Reading (course reader):
(1) W. Mahrt, The Musical Shape of the Liturgy. Part I: The Gregorian Mass in General
(2) J. Harper, The Forms and Orders of Western Liturgy
(3) The Office

February 18

What The Cathedral Is Meant To Be
The Cathedral Crusade
Lecturer: Robert Scott

Assigned Readings:
(1) Otto von Simson, The Gothic Cathedral, pp. 3-58 (Course Reader)
(2) Robert Branner, Gothic Architecture, pp. 10-48

February 25

Origins of the Gothic Cathedral Movement
Shrines and Miracles (Part I)
Lecturer: Robert Scott

Assigned Readings (course reader):
(1) Otto von Simpson, The Gothic Cathedral. pp 61-141; 143-182
(2) Ronald Finucane, Miracles and Pilgrims. pp. 25-55, 83-112

March 4

Restoring Gothic Cathedrals
Lecturer: David Bartlett, Architect

Assigned Readings:
(To Be Announced)

March 11

Shrines and Miracles (Part II)
Liturgy and Social Power
Lecturer: Robert Scott

Assigned Reading:
(1) Finucane, Miracles and Pilgrims, pp. 25-55, 83-112
(2) (To Be Announced)

Bibliography

• grouped by subject;
• in alphabetical order.