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ARHA297

African Art History (Freshman Seminar)
ARHA297 SP

Next Offered in 9899 SP

The seminar begins by asking the question "What is Africa?", proceeds by considering what constitutes art in Africa (by extension, we may redefine "art" in general), and then asks how African scholars go about retreiving cultural history (or the history of cultural artifacts) in sub-Saharan Africa. We will also emphasize writing; writing for precision and clarity of description (formal analysis) and writing for analytical and interpretive detail (contextual ethnography). A Saturday field trip to New York City will be mandatory.

MAJOR READINGS

Jan Vansina, AFRICAN ART HISTORY
S. Brett-Smith, THE MAKING OF BAMANA SCULPTURE
Peter Mark, "16th & 17th Senegambian architecture," HISTORY
IN AFRICA, 1995
A. Appiah, IN MY FATHER'S HOUSE

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Two short papers, lead one class discussion on readings; one long research paper. ADDITIONAL REUQIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS: Unless preregistered students attend the first class meeting or communicate directly with the instructor prior to the first class, they will be dropped from the class list. NOTE: Students must still submit a completed Drop/Add form to the Registrar's Office.

COURSE FORMAT: Seminar

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UG Credit: 1.00 Gen Ed Area & Dept: HA ART

Prerequisites: None

Last Updated on MAR-03-1998




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