Using the History of the Tarot Deck to Engage Students in Art History: Renaissance Art History and Postmodern Identity in the Undergraduate Classroom

Abstract

In my work with students, I have found that creative practices and drawing on cultural curiosity can spark deep learning. In this session, I share how I engaged undergraduate students in the exploration of Renaissance Platonism and the history of esotericism by asking them to design Tarot cards. In this presentation, I share the cards the students crafted, share the art history and philosophical foundations of the Tarot in Renaissance Platonism, and review how students also incorporated their own sense of identity in responding to the intellectual and artistic challenge posed to them.

Presenters

Sara Ahbel Rappe
Professor, Classical Studies, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States

Details

Presentation Type

Creative Practice Showcase

Theme

Arts Histories and Theories

KEYWORDS

Tarot, Renaissance Platonism, Occult, Post-Modern Identity, Creative Practice