History of Non-Western Art - ART 200 at Blue Ridge Community College
https://courses.vccs.edu./colleges/brcc/courses/ART200-HistoryofNonWesternArt
Effective: 2021-08-01
Course Description
Explores art as an integral aspect of cultures from Africa, Asia, Islamic groups, Oceania, Native America, and pre-Columbian Central and South America. Increases understanding of the formal and iconographic properties of these works by examining the philosophies, social customs, and ritual practices of their cultures. The assignments in the course require the reading of scholarly articles and researched-based writing.
Lecture 3 hours. Total 3 hours per week.
3 credits
The course outline below was developed as part of a statewide standardization process.
General Course Purpose
This course introduces students to the art of Non-Western regions, including Africa, Asia, Islamic groups, Oceania, Native America, and pre-Columbian Central and South America. Topics covered include the exploration of artistic techniques, localized notions of aesthetics, the influence of philosophical or religious beliefs in art, and the impact of social and political commentary in visual culture. By viewing art as an extension of cultural values, the student will gain a fundamental understanding of artwork from these regions of the world.
Course Objectives
- Communication
- Utilize a formal vocabulary to describe art
- Recognize and describe the media and techniques used to create the works of art, as well as the technologies used in architecture
- Cultural and Social Understanding
- Summarize the cultural and artistic characteristics for the cultures presented
- Recognize and analyze common artistic themes used by a variety of cultures
- Africa
- Recognize abstraction and naturalism in the arts of Africa.
- Identify themes of spirituality, power, and identity in the art of different areas of the African continent.
- Discuss the ways in which African objects participate in their contemporary societies.
- Asia (India, China, Japan, Korea)
- Discuss the early art of India and Southeast Asia from the early culture of the Indus Valley through the founding of Buddhism and Hinduism.
- Discuss the effects of evolving Hindu traditions and the Mughal conquest on the later art of India and Southeast Asia.
- Trace the early development of art in China and Korea through a series of empires and the introduction of Buddhism.
- Trace the evolution of painting and ceramics in the later art of China and Korea.
- Explain the ancient native traditions of Japanese art that blossomed in Shinto and Buddhist art and architecture.
- Identify important monuments and developments in the later art of Japan.
- Islamic Art
- Summarize the evolution of Islamic art and architecture.
- Recognize the importance of the use of text in Islamic art.
- Discuss luxury art produced throughout the Islamic world.
- Oceania
- Differentiate the art and architecture of a series of cultures in Oceania.
- Explore the philosophies, beliefs, and religious systems that influence the artwork produced by the various cultures in the region.
- Discuss the ways in which cultural objects function within the societies.
- Americas (Native America, pre-Columbian Central and South America)
- Distinguish among various styles and functions of art and architecture from cultures across North America.
- Differentiate the art and architecture of a series of cultures in Mesoamerica.
- Summarize the development of art and architecture in Peru from the ancient period to colonial times.
- Describe the effect of the Spanish conquest on the cultures of Mesoamerica and South America.
Major Topics to be Included
- Africa
- Asia (India, China, Japan, Korea)
- Islamic Art
- Oceania
- Americas (Native America, pre-Columbian Central and South America)