ARTT 286 African Art and Architecture

This course is a survey of traditional African art and architecture. Students will gain a broad knowledge of African forms and learn the distinct styles of a diverse selection of ethnic groups and countries across the continent, while gaining a general understanding of the meaning and use of art in African societies. The course will also examine the dislocation and presentation of African art in the West from the 19th century to present-day. Theoretical issues will be approached through reading assignments, class discussion, museum visits and guest speakers.

Credits

3

Prerequisite

Eligible to enroll in ENGL 121

Hours Weekly

3 hours weekly

Course Objectives

1. 1. Describe African art and architecture and their art forms and the meaning and use of art in
   African societies.
2. 2. Identify and apply critical theories and concepts related to enduring and contemporary issues
   of aesthetics and creativity behind the methodology of traditional African art and architecture
   in historical and contemporary settings, its innovative and creative ways that has brought
   together people of various ethnicity and cultural differences.
3. 3. Analyze and interpret significant works of African art and architecture.
4. 4. Incorporate innovation, risk-taking, and creativity into the analysis of how individual artists
   and the art and architecture of Africa reflected and foreshadowed a changing society,
   affecting ethnic, religious, intellectual, social, historical, and cultural contexts.
5. 5. Pose and address questions related to the social and cultural settings of the region through
   the study of African art and architecture to examine the humanistic expression and its
   context.
6. 6. Define and apply the specialized vocabulary relevant to the art and architecture of Africa.
7. 7. Assess, reflect on, and critically analyze the role of the art and architecture of Africa, not only
   in the region, but also in a global setting, and how its aesthetics and creativity have
   illuminated the condition of humanistic expression in search of meaning.

Course Objectives

1. 1. Describe African art and architecture and their art forms and the meaning and use of art in
   African societies.
2. 2. Identify and apply critical theories and concepts related to enduring and contemporary issues
   of aesthetics and creativity behind the methodology of traditional African art and architecture
   in historical and contemporary settings, its innovative and creative ways that has brought
   together people of various ethnicity and cultural differences.
3. 3. Analyze and interpret significant works of African art and architecture.
4. 4. Incorporate innovation, risk-taking, and creativity into the analysis of how individual artists
   and the art and architecture of Africa reflected and foreshadowed a changing society,
   affecting ethnic, religious, intellectual, social, historical, and cultural contexts.
5. 5. Pose and address questions related to the social and cultural settings of the region through
   the study of African art and architecture to examine the humanistic expression and its
   context.
6. 6. Define and apply the specialized vocabulary relevant to the art and architecture of Africa.
7. 7. Assess, reflect on, and critically analyze the role of the art and architecture of Africa, not only
   in the region, but also in a global setting, and how its aesthetics and creativity have
   illuminated the condition of humanistic expression in search of meaning.