Art History: Art of the Non-Western World

I.     Course Prefix/Number: ART 114

       Course Name: Art History: Art of the Non-Western World

       Credits: 3 (3 lecture; 0 lab)

II.    Prerequisite


III.   Course (Catalog) Description

Course is a comparative study of non-Western art as an expression of the human experience. Content includes art of China, Japan, India, Africa and native Americas from prehistoric to modern times. Focus is on the development of perceptive stylistic analysis and ability to understand a work of art in relation to its cultural context.

IV.   Learning Objectives

A. Student will identify and classify artworks from the non-Western world.
B. Student will identify and attribute works of art of this area as to date/time line, region or country, artist (when known) and style.
C. Student will distinguish between a culture’s symbols and the images, objects, sculptures, or structures they created.
D. Student will analyze art work in relation to its religious, social and cultural meaning or significance.
E. Through class discussion and participation student will discuss and integrate lecture and textbook content.
F. Student will attach specific information to art work as to subject, function, medium, elements, organization, style, time-line, and artist.

V.    Academic Integrity


• cheating,
• falsification and fabrication (lying or distorting the truth),
• helping others to cheat,
• unauthorized changes on official documents,
• any other behavior that violates academic integrity.


VI.   Sequence of Topics

A. The Art of India
       1. Indus Valley Civilization
       2. Andhra Period
       3. Gandhara Style
       4. Gupta Period
       5. Medieval Period
       6. Moghal Dynasty
       7. Rajput Style

B. The Art of China    
      1. Shang Dynasty
      2. Zhou Dynasty
      3. Six Dynasties
      4. Tang Dynasty
      5. Song Dynasty
      6. Yuan Dynasty
      7. Ming Dynasty

C. The Art of Japan
      1. Archaic Period
      2. Asuka Period
      3. Nara Period
      4. Heian Period
      5. Kamakura Period
      6. Muromachi Period
      7. Momoyama Period
      8. Tokugawa (Edo) Period--Ukiyo Print tradition

D. The Art of the Americas (Mexico & South America)
       1. Olmec Civilization
       2. Mayan Civilization (Classical and Post Classical)
       3. Aztec Civilization
       4. Incan Civilization
       5. Mexico: Spanish Colonial Art
       6. 20th Century Mexican Art

E. The Art of Africa
      1. Western Sudan
      2. Guinea Coast
      3. Equatorial Forest
      4. Southern Savannah

VII.  Methods of Instruction

A. PowerPoint presentation with lectures stressing the iconological and formal importance of the work.
B. Supplementary films/videos.


VIII. Course Practices Required

A. Attend all classes
B. Do all homework assignments/readings/reports
C. Participate in class discussions
D. Successful completion of three exams
E. Reading, Writing (3 pages minimum)

IX.   Instructional Materials


A. Recommended Textbooks: "Art Through the Ages", by Helen Gardner (current edition); "Art Beyond the West", by Michael Kampen O’Riley (current edition)
B. Selected handouts
C. PowerPoint presentations

X.    Methods of Evaluating Student Progress

A. Three exams based on readings, slide lectures and films, videos. The exams will be factual identification tests. Unknown works of art are to be identified by style characteristic of artist/culture/country/time frame. Short essays may be included requiring the student to compare and contrast different works of art from different cultures based on iconography and style. Exams graded individually and averaged together. Exams constitute approximately 75% of final grade.

B. Independent study from the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago Field Museum, or some other public viewing facility in which one of the cultural examples covered by the course will be examined in terms of the actual art and the student’s response relating it to the period, social and cultural aspects covered in the course. (Three 3-page-type written papers.) Counts approximately 15% of final grade.

C. Remaining 10% of grade is based on attendance and classroom participation.

XI.   Other Course Information

A. Each instructor will determine attendance policy.
B. Make-up exams, incomplete grades, late assignments are at the discretion of the instructor.
