Dr. Dina Bangdel
Assistant Professor
Department of Art History
Virginia Commonwealth University
Office: 302 Buford Hall
Office Hrs: Thurs. 1:30-3:30 or by appt.
Phone: 628-7037
Email: dbangdel@vcu.edu
This course is an introductory survey to the visual cultures of Asia, focusing on three regional units: South and Southeast Asia; Inner Asia (Central Asia and Himalayas); and East Asia (China, and Japan) . By examining in depth a few characteristic works of art from each tradition, we will not only discuss the distinctive artistic styles, forms, and aesthetics of each region, but also will also explore the mutual influences that motivated the creation of these works of art.
As contextualization of the visual culture is a primary methodological approach of this class, we will discuss the works of arts within the cultural contexts, examining closely the political, social, economic, and religious spheres that helped define the direction of the visual arts in Asia.
You will be expected to show an introductory understanding to the visual cultures of the three regional units: South and Southeast Asia; Inner Asia; and East Asia. Specifically, you will be expected to
1) recognize and identify major monuments of the three artistic traditions discussed in class
2) recognize the basic characteristic forms, style, and iconography of the art from the periods we cover
3) provide a contextual understanding of the works of art and the ways in which these monuments functions within their cultural contexts.
The required text for the course is Sherman E. Lee, A History of Far Eastern Art, Fifth edition, Prentice-Hall, and Harry N. Abrams, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey and New York, 1993.
Readings
As you will soon find out, Lee book discusses the arts of India, China, and Japan in a comparative manner, which makes the readings that are covered in this course as separate units extremely scattered. For your convenience, I have given the page numbers related to each lecture in the Lecture Calendar. You do not have to read the entire chapter in detail, but skim through the text for thematic issues covered in class. Concentrate your reading on those works of art that I will cover in class.
A significant portion of the course will also cover the materials that are not in the Lee book (first published in 1964, and currently in its 5th edition). For this reason, it is extremely important that you come to class for familiarity with concepts, art historical information and analyses. If you miss class, please refer to the Blackboard for the Powepoint lectures and the Website for the materials required for the exams. You may also want to review the notes from your classmates. After you have read the notes, I will be happy to discuss the materials of any missed lectures with you.
Course Requirements
You will be responsible for the material presented in class and the assigned readings given in class. As mentioned, this course covers a large breadth of information that will not always be included in the Lee book. Hence, your classnotes are very important. The essay questions in the exams will be thematic and will concentrate on the specific issues and concepts analyzed in class.
There are 801 (!) illustrations in the Lee book, however, I have selected 150 monuments to represent the characteristic works of art through the different periods in each region. For the exams, you will be responsible only for the works of art given in the Monument List. For your convenience, the Monument List includes the names, title, artist, style, period, materials, and site that you have to memorize. The Monument List also gives you the terms that you need to be familiar with. As this is fairly esoteric vocabulary, mainly in Sanskrit, Chinese, or Japanese (!), I suggest you memorize a few of these words everyday. You will be graded on your familiarity with these terms in the exams.
Blackboard and Website:
PowerPoint class lectures will be posted on Blackboard. Copies of the complete syllabus are available through the Blackboard web site at http://blackboard.vcu.edu/, under this course listing. Students should check the Blackboard site periodically for course announcements.
The works of art that you are required to know for the class will also be on the web under ARTH 245. The URL is: http://www.people.vcu.edu/~dbangdel/. Parts of the website is still under construction.
Attendance:
Attendance is required at all scheduled class meetings, and roll is taken at each class. You are allowed two (2) unexcused absence during the entire semester. Additional absences will result in the lowering of the final course grade by one full letter grade for each excessive absence. The only acceptable excuse for an absence is a dated note from a certified medical doctor or facility, or a note of excuse from the Dean of the School of the Arts; no other excuses will be allowed.
Your grade will be based on exams, attendance, and class participation. There will be three exams for three “units” of the course.
Unit I Exam: Arts of South and Southeast Asia 22%
Unit II Exam: Arts of Inner Asia (Central Asia & Himalayas) 22%
Unit III Exam: Arts of East Asia I : China 22%
Unit IV Exam: Arts of East Asia II: Japan 22%
Attendance/Class Participation 12%
There will be NO make-up exams, except in the case of a illness or family medical emergency. You will need a signed excuse from your doctor or family member.
The VCU Honor System:
All students are subject to the policies and regulations of the VCU Honor System. It is the student’s responsibility to familiarize themselves with the honor system as presented in the Schedule of Classes, the VCU Resource Guide, and the Undergraduate Bulletin, or on the VCU web site at:
http://www.students.vcu.edu/rg/policies/rg7honor.html.
Disability: Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 require Virginia Commonwealth University to provide academic adjustments or accommodations for students with documented disabilities. Students seeking academic adjustments or accommodations must self-identify with the Coordinator of Services for Students with Disabilities on the appropriate campus. After meeting with the Coordinator, students are encouraged to meet with instructors to discuss their needs and, if applicable, any laboratory safety concerns related to their disabilities. Academic Campus Coordinator of Services for Students with Disabilities: 828-1139
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