Introduction to African Art



170180-34290000Cond AFRICAN ART: ARH 370Professor: Dr. Elizabeth Perrillemail: eaperril@uncg.eduClass:Tues. & Thurs.3:30-4:45Weatherspoon Art Museum, Room 107Office Hours:Wednesday 9:30am-noonor by appointmentWeatherspoon Museum, Room 225Required Textbook:There is NO textbook for this course. Because of an amazing UNCG Library Initiative each student is saving ~$197 in book costs! This does mean you have to be very attentive to the online tools integrated for you by the professor.11430040640Dumile Feni, Homage to Soweto, Drawing, n.d.00Dumile Feni, Homage to Soweto, Drawing, n.d.Course Description:This course is an introduction to the history of African art, which is an impossibly huge task. We will dive into the rich history of this vast continent. Through chronological, geographic, and conceptual subtopics students will gain an appreciation of the depth and breadth of African arts.In addition to an online framework, articles are used to enrich specific geographic coverage and introduce further contemporary artists. Hands-on work with objects and writing assignments focused on museum practices encourage active learning and appreciation of artworks.Learning Outcomes:This course is intended for students who already posses some familiarity with either art history or African studies (at least one course in either of these two areas). Upon successful completion of this course students will be able to do the following, in rising order of complexity:1) To recognize basic geo-political facts about Africa, including the current nations, prior colonial powers, ancient civilizations and/or landmarks that exist or have existed in each region we study. 2) To distinguish and compare the aesthetic qualities associated with the artworks viewed during our unit case studies, such as scale, form, line, composition, and movement. Students will not simply memorize pieces, rather seek to understand the qualities that make an art form identifiable as part of a unique cultural tradition, national school, individual style or global trend. When possible, hands-on experiential work with artworks will be incorporated. 3) Students will learn to recognize ways in which social and cultural systems of power, prestige, respect, play, innuendo and various forms of social organization often shape interpretations of artworks.4) Finally, students will synthesize the information they have learned. During class discussions, assignments, and papers students will practice methods of discussing and engaging with a wide variety of African art periods ands styles. The ability to discuss African art with friends, relatives, and strangers, who may have preconceptions about Africa, will be a major goal. Engaging others is one of the most important things that each student will do during -or after- this course. Course Materials on Canvas: Information for this course will be posted on Canvas, including a copy of the syllabus, assignments, and selected images from each week's lectures. Major online frameworks include the Art and Life in Africa website from the University of Iowa, supplemented with the Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History, Khan Academy, South African arts websites, films, and articles.Keep in mind that for any technical questions about Canvas consult the 6-TECH technology helpdesk. 336-256-TECH (8324) HYPERLINK "" It is advised that you inform Dr. Perrill of any technical problems, but contact 6-TECH right away if there are issues of this type (particularly if they occur 5pm-9am)Student Conduct: Education is a collaborative venture undertaken by professors and students. My responsibilities as a professor include researching, academic service, and teaching – including course design, facilitating classroom participation, and assessing student learning. Your responsibilities include class attendance and participation, handing in assignments on time, individual reflection, and treating classmates with respect. Classroom etiquette includes limiting distractions from electronic devices. Sleeping, speaking loudly about unrelated topics, texting/messaging/etc. during class are all disrespectful behaviors, not just of a professor both of your colleagues. Unless you have a medical condition, you are asked not to leave the classroom during class time. The layout of our room makes movement in and out of the door very disruptive to other students’ learning.You will be expected to abide by UNCG policies concerning plagiarism and student conduct. Please refer to the UNCG Undergraduate Bulletin and the UNCG academic integrity website: Student Learning Outcomes: SLOsGN – 1. Find, interpret, and evaluate information on diverse cultures.GN – 2. Describe interconnections among cultures, polities, and/or intellectual traditions of the world other than the dominant Euro-American onesGN – 3. Use diverse cultural frames of reference and alternative perspectives to analyze issuesMajor Assignments & Percentages of Overall Grade:Short Assignments (SLO 1):Short Assignments are listed in your syllabus and must be prepared ahead of class. Short assignments are the mechanism for taking attendance in this class. These primarily consist of bringing in print-outs of articles/news stories, notes on readings, or responses to sets of readings. Also included in this group is the syllabus quiz and potentially small reading quizzes.Short Assignments must be written in full sentences comprehensible to an external reader, but grammar/spelling etc. will not be graded. These are informal writings. Your final Short Assignment grade and all class grades are based on cumulative points. All Short Assignments showing effort and engagement receive 10 points. Grades of 7 or 8 will be earned for Short Aassignments that do not show a proper degree of effort or engagement. The lowest 2 short assignment grades will be dropped, thus allowing for unexpected absences, illnesses, or emergencies. Short Assignments can ONLY be turned in the day they are due. All other assignments require written documentation when late. In other words, absences beyond 2 days will result in zeros for Short Assignments past the two dropped assignments that are allowed.Condition Report Assignments (SLO 1 and 3)This hands-on activity will involve private collections of African Art and the utmost care must be taken.Students will sketch art objects and write condition reports based on examples modeled by Weatherspoon Art Museum, the course instructor, and previous student examplesStudents will then write brief annotated bibliographies for their objects and a short 100-150 word label describing the work.All components will be handed in hard-copy. Assignment sheets giving further explanation will be posted on Canvas.Selected Object Assignments (parallel to Condition Report SLO 1 and 3)This second assignments allows students to either continue research on their Conservation Report artwork or explore a new artwork from a reputable African Art collection. Students will write annotated bibliographies on their object (7 citations for continued research/4-5 citations for new object selections)The second step of this assignment involves writing a justification for placement of the selected artwork in the NCMA permanent collection exhibition or a selected reputable online exhibition of African art. With citations to at least three exhibitions researched online or in person. Students will then write a 100-150 word exhibition label for their object. If work continues on previous object then revision and expansion of lable to 300 words to include contextual information will be required. All components will be handed in hard-copy. Assignment sheets giving further explanation will be posted on Canvas.Exam Format: (SLO 2) All exams are “closed book," in-class exams. Each exam will be a combination of the following components:Map completion—identification of pre-assigned countries, cities, and/or natural land features.A combination of the following: fill-in-the-blank, definitions, matching, & multiple-choice that focus on basic definitions and vocabulary.Slide identification of images labels, as indicated in weekly selected images lists available on Canvas.Short-answer essay questions that integrate slide identification and vocabulary knowledge. Each question will require a 1-3 paragraph answer. Some of these questions will be illustrated by slides, some will cover more abstract concepts discussed in class during discussion and debates. Lists of potential questions will be provided ahead of the exam.Academic Honor Code on Exams:Students are required to sign the Academic Integrity Policy on each examination. Please refer to the UNCG Undergraduate Bulletin. Make-up Exam Policy:Students will not be allowed to take a make-up exam without written documentation of an illness or family emergency. Make-up Exams will be organized during Dr. Perrill’s office hours when possible or during other arranged time-slots.Policy on Late Assignments:As with exams, documented illness or family emergencies will be the only reasons accepted for late assignments (Short Assignments excluded). Without documentation, students will be docked one full grade (an A becomes a B) for each day the assignment is late. Short Assignments can ONLY be turned in the day they are due. Absences leading to missing Short Assignments beyond the allowed 2 days will result in zeros for subsequent missed Short Assignments.Late assignments must be handed in HARDCOPY directly to Prof. Perrill. No e-mails will be accepted because this inevitably leads to miscommunications and inequality in the treatment of late assignments. I strive for equality in all student relations and find hardcopy helps me maintain this standard. Attendance Policy:Attendance will be recorded through the collection of Short Assignments. There is a direct correlation between coming to lectures well prepared -- with readings and vocabulary assignments completed, engaging in the material through note-taking, etc. -- and your success in the course, as measured by your own learning and your grade for the course.Student Assessment (Grades):Your grades will be based on the following components:Short Assignments (~10)80 pointsCondition Report Assignments100 pointsFree Choice Selected Object Assignments150 points Exams (100 points x 3 exams)300 points---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Total Points Possible:580 points The bottom 3% is a minus and top 2% is a plus in each grade range (e.g 80-82 = B-, 88-89 = B+)A 90-100 %B80-89C70-79D60-69F59 and belowARH 370 African ArtLecture Topics and Schedule of Required ReadingsWEEK 1 Aug 15 Syllabus and Online Syllabus Quiz – Due by Aug. 22No regular class, Dr. Perrill flying back from Ghana! Aug 17 Readings: Art and Life in Africa Mary Nooter Roberts, “Cultural Exchange” Chapter Article (2 pages) Mary Nooter Roberts, “Tradition” Chapter Sub-Topic (1 page) Khan Academy, African Art, “Historical Overview: to the 1500s & From the 1600s to Present” Due: Short Assignment: Bring in a hard copy print-out of 1 news story mentioning Africa and art. If possible, the article should be from this calendar year. You will hand in your print-out for credit. Be prepared to provide a brief summary of the country mentioned, topic, etc.AFRICAN ANTIQUITIES AND EMPIRES WEEK 2Aug 22Readings: Art and Life in AfricaWilliam Dewey, “Ancient Africa” Chapter Article and sub-chapters “Nok” “Igbo Ukwu,” & “Djenné” Aug 24Readings: Art and Life in AfricaWilliam Dewey, “Ancient Africa” sub-chapters “Ife,” “Owo,” and “Benin Kingdom” WEEK 3Aug 29Readings: Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History, “Ife (from ca. Sixth Century),” “Ife Pre-Pavement and Pavement Era (800-1000 A.D.),” “Ife Terracottas (1000-1400 A.D.),” “African Lost-Wax Casting,” “African Lost-Wax Casting: Bronze, Copper, and Brass,” and “African Lost-Wax Casting: The Tada Figure” Due: Short Assignment: Bringing in hard copy print out of 1-3 paragraphs comparing the Art and Life in Africa texts to those from the Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History relating to Lost-Wax Casting and Ife. Aug 31In Class Viewing: Africa’s Great Civilizations: Episode 4, “Cities”WEEK 4Sept. 5Readings: Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History, “African Christianity in Ethiopia” & “The Rock Hewn Churches of Lalibela”. Due: Short Assignment: Bring in a 1 page summary of your notes on ONE city covered in Africa’s Great Civilizations, Episode 4: “Cities” with enriched information added from at least 2 additional sources beyond Heilbrunn or Art and Life in Africa. You must include citations for your 2 additional sources in MLA style.Sept 7Readings: Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History, “Great Zimbabwe (Eleventh-Fifteenth Centuries)”Khan Academy, “Great Zimbabwe National Monument: The Stone Kingdom” Art and Life in Africa, “Shona” (Peoples)Exam Review/DiscussionSept 8 2:15pm Extra Credit Lecture – Candace Keller, African photography (title TBA), Weatherspoon 103 WEEK 5Sept 12Exam OneSept 14Condition Report Presentation – Kimberly Watson, Weatherspoon Art Museum RegistrarWEEK 6Sept 19Condition Report Work Day – Required Sept 21Meeting at Jackson Library – 177a beside the SuperlabLibrary Guest Lecture by Amy Houk. Evaluating Sources & Proper MLA Citations.Discuss Object Research Sources. Due: Short Assignment: Sign in and record 3 search terms for your object.(Dr. Perrill out of town)CENTRAL AFRICAN FOCUS – LEADERSHIP and HEALTHWEEK 7Sept 26View (1 hr): Ilisa Barbash & Lucien Taylor Dir., In and Out of Africa, 1993. (Full video available on e-viewing online or in Jackson library)Come with notes about this viewing, as we’ll have MUCH to discuss.Due: Condition Report Part 1- Drawings/Report FormsSept 28Reading:Art and Life in Africa. Doran Ross, “Akan Leadership Arts.” and Life in Africa. Raymond Silverman, “Akan Brass Casting.” Due: Short Assignment: Answer and bring in a printout of the following potential Exam Question utilizing one work of your choice from the “Akan Leadership Arts” reading: Describe the iconography of your selected image and Explain how it represents a proverb. How would this object be used in Akan royal regalia or ceremonies?(Please, note and bring in the page number within the website so we can reference your image during discussion). WEEK 8Oct 3Reading: Portrait of King Mishe miShyaang mMbulu (Kuba peoples), Khan Academy Art and Life in Africa. Mary Nooter Roberts, “Women and Political Power.” Due: Condition Report Part 2 – Label and Sources Oct 5Nooter Roberts, Mary. “The King is a Woman: Shaping Power in Luba Royal Arts.” African Arts 46,3 Autumn 2013): 68-81 (Canvas PDF)Due: Short Assignment: Bring in a 1 page summary of your notes on “The King is a Woman” – typed and summarized so outside reader can understand.WEEK 9Oct 10No Regular Class – Fall BreakOptional Replacement of Oct 12 Field Trip2pm – 6:15pm (14 slots open in van)Oct 12 Reading: Art and Life in Africa. Barbara Thompson, “Arts of Healing” Morning Arts Summit - UNCG Auditorium for all CVPA studentsNCMA Field Trip 2pm – 6:15pm(14 slots open in van)Due: Short Assignment – Sign in for tour Oct 10 or 12, or alternate review of NCMA exhibition to be handed in for exceptional cases. WEEK 10Oct 17 Reading: Art and Life in Africa. Barbara Thompson, “Spirit Embodiments” Discuss trip and selection of artworks for second set of assignments.Oct 19Reading: Art and Life in Africa, Martha G. Anderson, “Art from the Ijo Spirit World" WEEK 11Oct 24Exam 2SOUTHERN AFRICAN ANCIENT to CONTEMPORARYOct 26Readings: Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History, “Apollo 11 and Wonderwerk Cave Stones,” “African Rock Art of the Southern Zone,” “African Rock Art: The Coldstream Stone” and “African Rock Art: Game Pass” Due: SELECTED ARTWORK: Annotated BibliographyWEEK 12Oct 31Readings: Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History, “Southern Africa 1600-1800,” “Southern Africa 1800-1900,” and “Southern Africa 1900 to Present” Nov 2Readings:Khan Academy, “Married Woman’s Apron (Ndebele Peoples)” Art and Life in Africa, David M. M. Riep, “Visual Symbols of Self: South Sotho Arts and Initiation. Due: SELECTED ARTWORK: Exhibition PlacementWEEK 13Nov 7Readings: Art and Life in Africa, Sandra Klopper, “Young Women in Contemporary Zulu Society” Aperture Foundation, Spring 2015, Issue #218, “Zanele Muholi’s Faces & Phases” Due: Short Assignment: Bring in a 1 page informal response paper 1-3 paragraphs about the tone and content of the Nov 2 and Nov 7 readings. Nov 9Dr. Perrill out of town – No Class, Label Work DayWEEK 14Nov 14Readings:Modernisms – African and South AfricanBronwen Evans, Contemporary African Art, “African Modernists, “ SA Art History,” and “South African Modernists and the Modernist Era” Visual Century Reading, TBA, to be posted on CanvasDue: SELECTED ARTWORK: Exhibition Label Nov 16Readings: Art Under Apartheid South African History Online, “Art in the state of siege” Bronwen Evans, Contemporary African Art, “Art Workshops Polly Street and Rorke’s Drift” and “Resistance Art” Due: Short Assignment: Brining in a 1 page informal response paper 1-3 paragraphs about the tone and content of the Nov 16 readings. Compare and contrast tone and content.WEEK 15Nov 21Visual Century Reading, TBA, to be posted on CanvasDue: Short Assignment: Select and write up a 1-page summary of work found on the Artthrob website: Include biographical summary of artist and short description of artwork selected. Note: this information will be used for final exam.Nov 23Thanksgiving WEEK 16Nov. 28Visual Century Reading, TBA or Exam 3Finals WeekDec. 7th, 3:30-5pm EXAM 3—Southern Africa & African Contemporary Art ................
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