Dr. Anne Chapin Class meets in 226 Sims Art Bldg.
Office: 216 Sims Art Building MWF
Email: Tel. 883-8292 ext. 2329
Office
Hours: MW
Prerequisites: none.
This course satisfies the second part of Area V (History) in the core requirements.
Description:
This course introduces the art and architecture of non-western societies around the globe. The survey is arranged both chronologically and geographically, and begins with prehistoric rock art of Australia, followed by the introduction of the art and architecture produced by Asian cultures: India, China, Japan, and Pacific rim; and then the art and architecture of the Americas and Africa. Within these broad geographic areas, the art of individual cultures and religions is explored. Monuments familiar to many people and discussed in this course include prehistoric art from Australian rock shelters and the early seals of the Indus Valley civilization; the Bamiyan Buddhas of Afghanistan; the Taj Mahal in India and the Blue Mosque in Istanbul; the mausoleum of the emperor Shihuangdi at Shaanxi in China; the Great Wall of China; Japanese painting and woodblock prints; the huge sculptures of Easter Island; and the art and architecture of the Olmec, Mayan and Aztec cultures of Mexico; Machu Picchu of the Inca of Peru; Anasazi pottery of the American Southwest and the Mississippian mounds of North America; the naturalistic art of the Yoruba people in Africa and the Great Friday Mosque in Mali.
Goals:
Overarching themes, such as the artificial dichotomy between “Western” and “Non-Western” art, and the varying functions of art, are discussed in order to explore the meanings and uses of art and to better our understanding of world cultures through time as expressed through art and architecture. In addition, students will develop their oral speaking skills, critical reading skills, and their writing skills.
Implementation:
Monuments of art and architecture are explored in class as representative of the major cultural, religious and philosophical developments of the world throughout history that still impact our lives today. Since much of the material is unfamiliar to Americans, students will actively participate in the presentation of the material. Students will present overviews of various periods of human culture to the class and will explore certain topics in greater depth in oral reports. Students will also explore the art collections of major museums (on the internet) for examples of art not included in their textbook, and will keep a journal of their reactions to the material presented both in and out of class.
Since student participation is a vital component to this course, class attendance is very important and is rewarded by points earned for every class attended. Participation in class discussions is also a vital component of the course. From consistent attendance and class participation, students will develop the skill of visual analysis—the process of analyzing what is seen in a work of art—that is the foundation of art history. Additionally, regular written assignments allow students to explore art and offer the students the opportunity for greater reflection into the meaning of art while further practicing writing skills.
Course Requirements:
1. Attendance.
Class attendance is mandatory. Attendance will be taken at every class starting in the second day of class. For every unexcused class missed after four classes, the course grade will drop by a half grade. For example, a student with an “A” average who misses 5 classes receives an “A-”; if he/she misses 6 classes, the grade becomes a “B+”; 7 classes yields a “B”. Keep in mind that a “B” with 5 absences becomes a “B-”, and so on. Excused absences require medical documentation, or notes from coaches that document athletic travel.
2. Textbook – REQUIRED.
Marilyn Stokstad , Art History, 2nd edition, 2 vols. (Prentice Hall, 2002).
3. Exams and Quizzes.
There are no exams and quizzes.
4. Papers.
There are no papers.
5. Journal (40% of grade)
Students keep a journal that discusses the art of individual cultures, periods and artists and also records thoughts and reactions to (1) material discussed in class, and (2) material encountered through reading and research assignments, and (3) “The Object Speaks”: entries on individual art objects identified through internet searches of world museum collections. Journal entries will regularly respond to questions directed at the class, and should respond by discussing specific art monuments.
“The Object Speaks”
Every one or two weeks, students will be asked to write a visual analysis of an art object from a particular culture and time period, as determined by assignment and to be incorporated into their journals. These analyses must address the art object’s style, iconography, and historical context, in order that the student has the opportunity to apply what has been discussed in class to a new art object, thereby engaging the learning process.
6. Short Oral Reports (40% of grade)
Approximately every two – three weeks, each student will introduce the art and architecture a particular period/culture, for a total of about four oral reports. Each general presentation should be short – no more than 15 minutes. This means that each student will speak on the art of 4 of the 6 general geographic areas: the Indian subcontinent, China, Japan, Oceania, the Americas, and Africa. The goal here is to allow students to learn about the art of these varying regions and cultures by presenting in class, and to practice oral presentation skills. Reports should be made, whenever possible, in Power Point.
7. Long Oral Report (20% of grade)
Additionally, students will select a topic of their own interest and present a long (20 minutes) oral report. Topics may be chosen from a wide variety of areas, but must first be discussed with the professor before beginning research on it. The report will be presented in Power Point.
8. Discussion and Class Participation (10%)
This is not a passive class. Students play an active role in the presentation of the material, and discussions are important in helping all participants to explore the impact of these wide-spread cultures on today’s world. Expressing ideas and reactions through thoughtful speech contributes to the learning of all students in class. It’s hard to calculate class participation in points, so the overall effect of class participation is that it can influence a final grade positively (in an upward direction) by as much as 10%.
POLICIES:
Students with learning disabilities or special needs (including emergency medical information) should speak with the professor about any special arrangements that are necessary. The student with a learning disability should go to the Learning Enhancement Center to obtain an accommodation letter.
All students will follow the Honor Code and adhere to its guidelines. Any student who has not signed the Honor Code pledge may get a form at the office of the Registrar. All students should be particularly aware of the rules in the Honor Code regarding plagiarism and cheating. Plagiarism is the submission of another person’s work or thought as one’s own, either by direct copying or by insufficient acknowledgment of the source. Cheating is the use of any form of assistance while taking a quiz or examination. Brevard College takes the infringement of these rules very seriously and carries out the appropriate academic and disciplinary actions.
The professor will attempt to adhere as closely as possible to this syllabus but details are subject to change.
Tentative Schedule of Lectures and Reading Assignments
W Jan. 15 General
Introduction.
F Jan. 17 What Is Non-Western
Art? What are the Functions of Art?
Read: Stokstad 24-41.
M Jan. 20 Powerpoint Workshop. Meet in ITC.
W Jan.
22 Electronic Resources
in Art. Meet in the Jones Library.
F Jan.
24 Australian Rock
Shelters and Aboriginal Art
Read:
900-902.
MWF Jan.
27-31 Art of India Before
1100.
Read: Stokstad chapter 9.
MWF Feb.
3-7 Islamic Art
Read:
Stokstad chapter 8.
MWF Feb.
10-14 Art of India After 1100
Read:
Stokstad chapter 20
MWF Feb.
17-21 Chinese Art Before 1280
Read:
Stokstad chapter 10
MWF Feb.
24-28 Chinese Art After 1280
Read:
Stokstad chapter 21
MWF Mar.
3-7 Japanese Art Before
1392
Read:
Stokstad chapter 11
MWF Mar. 10-14 SPRING BREAK
MWF Mar. 17-21 Japanese
Art After 1392
Read: Stokstad chapter 22
MWF Mar. 24-28 Art of the Pacific Cultures
Read:
Stokstad chapter 24
M Mar.
31 NO CLASS
WF Apr. 2- 4 Art of the
Americas Before 1300
Read:
Stokstad chapter 12
MWF Apr. 7-11 Art of the Americas After 1300
Read: Stokstad chapter 23
MWF Apr. 14-18 Art
of Ancient Africa
Read:
Stokstad chapter 13
MWF Apr. 21-25 Art
of Africa in the Modern Era
Read: Stokstad chapter 25
M Apr. 28 Summary and Reflections