This course will explore the rise of the great medieval cities of Western Europe. We will focus largely on architecture, learning how to discuss and analyze buildings and floor plans, though we will also learn about the overall visual culture of medieval urban life. We will look at paintings of cityscapes, depictions of industry, and early maps. We will study the art objects made in the bourgeoning workshops. Other topics of interest include: cathedral and city; bell and clock towers (with a look at our own campanile on campus); public versus private life; the problems of urbanism; castles, fortifications, and city walls; city versus countryside; outsiders and diversity.