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Academic Year 2003/2004


Anthropology of Art
ANTH 222 FA

Crosslistings:
ARHA 261

This class will explore the social relationships between art, artists and society. In every society art provides much more than an expression of beauty; it also creates and maintains social values in surprisingly profound ways. The way we look at art is conditioned by social practices and contexts that we are largely unaware of; we look through sets of cultural filters that prepare us for an "aesthetic" experience. The course is divided into four units: (1) an introduction to anthropological thought on art; (2) an examination of verbal art, storytelling and oral performance; (3) an exploration of the idea of an art world; (4) and finally a close look at the current practices of museum exhibition. Each unit suggests critical approaches to art and its creative presentation in contemporary societies.

MAJOR READINGS

Course reader
BECKER Art Worlds, UCBerkeley, 1982
Arnold, ART AS TECHNOLOGY: THE ARTS OF AFRICA, OCEANIA, NATIVE AMERICA, SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

midterm exam, 10-page final paper, weekly journal entries

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

participation in class web page

COURSE FORMAT: Lecture/Discussion

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UGRD    Credit: 1    Gen Ed Area Dept: SBS ANTH    Grading Mode: Student Option   

Prerequisites: NONE Links to Web Resources For This Course.

Last Updated on MAR-19-2004


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