Time Schedule:
Giuseppina A Testa
ART H 321
Seattle Campus
The spectrum of Japanese art from prehistory to modern times. Examines the interrelationship of the major media for each historical period. Central theme: the appreciation of the varied aesthetics active in the development of Japanese painting, architecture, sculpture, and ceramics.
Class description
This course offers an introduction to the arts of Japan from the Neolithic period to modern times. Topics will include Shintô architecture, Buddhist art and its ritual context, narrative picture scrolls, traditional and western-style paintings, shôin architecture, gardens, tea ceremony ceramics and ukiyo-e prints ("pictures of the floating world").The course will also examine the social, political, and philosophical atmosphere that shaped these arts, as well as the ways Japan adopts and adapts foreign cultural traditions, with particular emphasis on the cultural connections between Japan and the continent (China and Korea).
Student learning goals
Students are expected not only to grasp the main contents of the required textbook, including the most typical masterpieces and the leading artists, but also to develop their critical opinions, derived from class lecture, class discussion, readings and independent study about the main stylistic trend in Japanese art.
Through class participation, students are expected to learn visual skills in recognizing styles of art, analytical skills in connecting artwork with its ritual, religious and political context, an increasingly refined ability to read critically, and writing skills in expressing ideas about art historical concepts.
General method of instruction
The class format combines slide lecture and discussion.
Recommended preparation
There are absolutely no requirements for the class, although Asian, Euro-American, or other courses in art history would be an excellent basis; familiarity with Japanese literature, history or Japanese language will undoubtedly prove useful. Willingness to learn Japanese artist's names and terms, and curiosity about Japanese culture are strongly recommended.
Class assignments and grading
Readings from the primary texts (book on Japanese art history and weekly readings), short weekly responses to discussion questions. Tests (identification and response to questions), class discussion, and short assignments. The midterm and final will be occasions for the students to synthesize the visual and literary materials of the course.
Assessment of students achievement in the class will be based on the following criteria: two exams (midterm and final), classroom participation, and a final paper.
