Course Description
The course is a historical survey of the visual arts in China from the pre-history period up to the Qing Dynasty. Students are introduced to a variety of artistic traditions and media, including ceramic, bronze, sculpture, and painting. Discussions cover significant issues of art history, with emphasis on the underlying philosophy, religion, history, and aesthetics of Chinese culture. The course is designed to meet two principal goals. The first is to develop skills of visual analysis and a critical vocabulary for discussing the media, technologies, styles, compositions and iconographies of Chinese art. The second is to foster an understanding of art--and visual culture in general--according to technological, social, economic, political, and religious contexts.
Intended Learning Outcomes
CILO-1: Explain the major monuments of dynastic China from its pre-history up to the Qing Dynasty.
CILO-2: Identify a variety of artistic traditions and media in the history of ancient Chinese arts, including ceramics, bronzes, sculpture, painting, and architecture.
CILO-3: Describe and analyze the significant issues of art history, with emphasis on the underlying philosophy, religion, history, and aesthetics of Chinese culture.
CILO-4: Acquire basic skills of visual analysis and a critical vocabulary for discussing the media, technologies, styles, compositions and iconographies of Chinese art.
CILO-5: Synthesize art and visual culture in general according to social, economic, political, and religious contexts.
CILO-6: Acquire basic research and writing skills for topics in the field of art history of ancient China.