Time Schedule:
Shih-Shan S Huang
ART H 309
Seattle Campus
Topics vary.
Class description
Winter 2005 ART H 312 (new course number just got approved!): Chinese Art and Visual Culture This new course ŇArt History 312: Chinese Art and Visual CultureÓ will explore the rich world of Chinese art and visual culture from the pre-historical period to the present day. Together the class will examine the visual traits of important monuments of architecture, calligraphy, painting, sculpture, ceramics, bronze objects, furniture, film, etc., and re-evaluate how various artistic features are tied to different historical, social and cultural context. Through close examinations of images, students will achieve a better understanding of the complex and exquisite visual culture of China.
The thematic design of the course syllabus reflects the most updated scholarship and debates of the field of Chinese art. Lately, more and more leading voices focus their attention on non-classical styles and periods of supposed decline. They shift away from masterpieces and major artists to undistinguished artifacts, some of which even lack attribution. Meanwhile, art historians interested in material culture and theory promote the examination of visual products within a broader cultural, socio-political, and economic landscape. They attempt to decipher the cultural meaning attributed to visual products. Equally inspiring, scholars who study Chinese history, religion, and literature have drawn more evidence on pictorial and visual materials in their researches. For example, cultural historians are confident in using paintings as primary sources to tell hidden stories about China's past. Religious specialists analyze temple murals and illustrative manuals to address religious practices. Even scholars in the Korean and Japanese studies use examples of Chinese art as alternative sources to reconstruct traces of cultural transmission and transformation in East Asia.
In response to the interdisciplinary scholarly trends, in this class, we will look at Chinese art in broader cultural and historical context. Instead of treating Chinese art as an isolated topic of inquiry, students are encouraged to draw links between China and other visual cultural traditions in Asia, including Central Asia, India, Nepal, Japan and Korea. Although this course is not a sweeping survey of Chinese art, the instructor will make an effort to include some less-studied and relatively new materials, such as film and photography.
Student learning goals
General method of instruction
This class emphasizes visual analysis. Students are strongly encouraged to participate in class discussion.
Recommended preparation
Class assignments and grading
Class participation (10%) In-class Quizzes (10%) Mid-term Exam 2/9/04 (40%) Final Exam 3/16/04 (40%)
