Prof. Ankeney Weitz
aweitz@colby.edu
ext. 5642
Office hours on Wed. 2:00-4:00 pm
and by appointment
Class Description
This course explores the rich and varied arts and cultures of Japan, China,
and India. Since this is an introductory art history course, due attention
will be given to basic art-historical methods and techniques. Although
the textbook assignments cover large spans of history and culture, during
class lectures and discussions we will look at more narrowly defined topics
as representative of broader themes in Asian art and culture.
Throughout the course we will explore questions of style, technique, artistic expression, subject matter, and iconography (the meanings encoded in visual signs), and patronage. To focus our attention on developing art-historical skills, we will look in depth at small sets of objects within specific historical contexts. Sometimes we will devote a class period to looking at the work of a single artist; at other times we will work on a single theme appearing in a broader spectrum of works. We will also study several major Asian religious and cultural traditions, including Hinduism, Islam, Confucianism, Buddhism (including Zen), Confucianism, and Shinto.
Several important goals for this course are:
1. Becoming familiar with Asian culture through an exploration of the history, beliefs, and art of this region
2. Learning the tools and techniques of art historians by analyzing the choices that artists have made and interpreting why he or she made those choices. Some of the tools explored in this class are: visual (or formal) analysis, iconographic study, patronage study, and word/image relationships.
3. Enhancing visual literacy skills, including recognizing the cultural forces that form our viewing expectations and experience.
4. Writing, particularly the various forms of writing about art: formal analysis, expository essay, argumentative essay, exhibition review essay, and exhibition proposal.
Vidya Dehejia. Indian Art. London: Phaidon, 1997.
Reserve readings are available in the Music and Art Library, Bixler Hall
Online resources available through links appearing on the schedule
- 1. Classroom attendance and participation
is required. Students who frequently miss class generally do not do
well in this course, especially since many of the written assignments
begin in class. If you must be absent because of illness or other dire
circumstance, let the instructor know as soon as possible so that she
may excuse you on that day. Attendance and participation in classroom
learning will count for 10% of the final grade.
- All reading assignments must be completed
in advance of the class for which they are assigned.
- Papers. All students will write four
papers, either on individual works of art or on the assigned readings.
Topics and guidelines for writing these papers will be handed out in
class. The cumulative grade for papers will be worth 70% of the grade
for the course. Assignments.
- One Final Project will be due on the
final exam date for this course. Worth 20% of the final grade.
- To pass the course, you must hand in all assignments.
6. Plagiarism will not be tolerated. To familiarize yourself with Colby’s definition of plagiarism, and to see the consequences of engaging in plagiarism, please go to the following webpage: http://www.colby.edu/academics_cs/library/services/instruction/plagiarism.cfm
