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| A .....93-100% | A- ....90-92% | |
| B+ ...87-89% | B .....83-86% | B- ....80-82% |
| C+ ...77-79% | C .....73-76% | C- ....70-72% |
| D+ ...67-69% | D .....63-66% | D- ....60-62% |
| F ......59%... |
CONTACT INFO:
Thomas Larose, Ph.D.
tlarose@vsu.edu
Office phone: 524-5188
Office: 216A Harris Hall
Hours: TR 2:00 - 4:00, or by appointment
This course serves as an introduction to the historical and social forces that shaped the works of African artists from prehistory to the present. The course will examine the roots, main currents, forms, styles, content, aesthetics, and ideological dimensions of African art.
The lectures of this course emphasize areas related to the development of the arts of Africa, such as historical and political events, religious movements, etc., along with the styles and symbolism of the art itself. Since this is an extensive area in the study of art history, with a very broad sweep of diverse subject matter, it is important for the students to understand the required text and the suggested readings for this course as background materials. Relationships between the visual arts and the other humanities of Africa are also examined in class lectures. Therefore, effective note taking, concentration, and regular attendance is a must to achieve a satisfactory grade. These texts only serve as a summary of the course content, to address specific issues, or provide examples for study.
Attendance is mandatory. Each student may have up to two (2) unexcused absences during the semester. One more than this will result in a reduction of the final grade for the course of ten (10) points, with additional reductions of ten (10) points for each multiple of two (2) more unexcused absences. Tardiness by more than 10 minutes will be considered an unexcused absence. Any tardiness less than 10 minutes will accumulate on a per minute basis up to 30 minutes, where it will be counted as an unexcused absence. Leaving before being excused will be considered an unexcused absence. Sleeping and any disruptive behavior in the class will likewise be considered an unexcused absence. To obtain an excused absence, the instructor must be notified in advance (or, in case of an emergency, as soon as possible) and written proof must be provided. Discretionary meetings (doctor's visits, advisement, employment, etc.) should not be scheduled to conflict with class and will not be considered an excused absence.
Grading
The course will be graded on four exams, each worth 20% of the final grade. They will consist of slide identifications, true-false questions, multiple choice questions, short answer definitions, and a short essay. Dates and content for the exams are listed on the schedule. The remaining 20% of the final grade will be based on a research assignment concerning a particular African artwork on display at a regional museum or another accessible museum. The artwork to be researched must be selected and approved in consultation with the instructor by September 10. Length will be approximately 8-10 pages, due on November 19. For Guidelines for this essay, follow this link. All essays will be returned within a reasonable time, with comments and grade.
"Nyansa bon ne mate masie." (Deep wisdom comes out of listening and keeping what is heard.)
REQUIRED TEXT:
Judith Perani and Fred T. Smith. The Visual Arts of Africa: Gender, Power, and Life Cycle Rituals (Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall Inc., 1998).
RESERVE READINGS:
Janet Catherine Berlo and Lee Anne Wilson. Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas: Selected Readings (Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall Inc., 1993).
Monica Blackmun Visona, Robin Poynor, et al. A History of Art in Africa (Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall Inc., 2001).
| Week of | |
| August 17 | Introduction, The Sahara |
| August 24 | The Nile Valley, Christianity and Islam |
| August 31 | The Sudanic Empires and Islam |
| Sept. 7 | September 10: Topics for Research Papers due. |
| Western Sudanic Village-Based Societies | |
| Sept. 14 | September 15: First Exam - Sahara through Western Sudan |
| The West Guinea Coast | |
| Sept. 21 | The Akan Peoples |
| Sept. 28 | October 1: Working Bibliographies DUE. |
| The Yoruba and the Fon | |
| Oct. 5 | Benin |
| October 8: Second Exam - West Guinea Coast through Benin | |
| Oct. 12 | October 13: Fall Break - No Class |
| October 15: Conference - No Class | |
| Oct. 19 | Lower Niger River Basin, Cameroon |
| Last Day to Withdraw - Oct. 23 | |
| Oct. 26 | Gabon, and the Northern Rainforest |
| Nov. 2 | November 3: Third Exam - Lower Niger River Basin through Northern Rainforest |
| Leadership Art in the Congo Basin | |
| Nov. 9 | Religion in the Congo Basin |
| Nov. 16 | Eastern Africa |
| November 19 - Research Papers DUE. | |
| Nov. 23 | Southern Africa |
| November 26: Happy Thanksgiving | |
| Nov. 30 | TBA: Fourth Exam - Congo Basin through South Africa |
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
INFORMATION:
Student Affairs: Services for Students with Disabilities
Campus location: Room 412 Memorial Hall, 1 Hayden St.
Petersburg, VA 23806
Voice/TDD: (804) 524-5061
Academic Adjustments and Accommodations for Students with Disabilities
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 require Virginia Commonwealth University to provide academic adjustments or accommodations for students with documented disabilities. Students seeking academic adjustments or accommodations must self-identify with the Coordinator of Services for Students with Disabilities on the appropriate campus. After meeting with the Coordinator, students are encouraged to meet with their instructors to discuss their needs, and If applicable, any lab safety concerns related to their disabilities.
Please note that students who have self-identified through the Office of Services for Students with Disabilities should provide their instructors with an official memo from the Coordinator detailing needed academic adjustments or accommodations. Students who have not self-identified with the appropriate Coordinator should do so.
It is the responsibility of each department chairperson to provide testing sites for students who require isolated areas to complete examinations. If a quiet space is not available, faculty may contact the appropriate Coordinator for assistance. Students who require exam modifications using auxiliary services or aids such as readers, proctors or scribes should make arrangements for those modifications through the Office of Services for Students with Disabilities. A minimum notice of 72 hours prior to the exam, by either the instructor or the student, is requested.Services for Students with Disabilities
OTHER RESOURCES FOR ART HISTORY: Art History Subject Guide (On-line Resources for Art History)
Department of Art and Design ~ Johnston Memorial Library
more links...VCU's Anderson Gallery ~ Virginia Museum of Fine Arts ~ National Gallery of Art ~
Anacostia Museum of African American Art ~ National Museum of African Art ~
Metropolitan Museum of Art ~ Chrysler Museum of Art ~ University of Virginia Art Museum ~
African Studies Internet Resources ~ Artcyclopedia ~ Institute of African Studies at Columbia ~
This site is developed and maintained by Thomas Larose, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Music, Art and Design, Virginia State University, Petersburg, Virginia, USA. Last updated on 7 July, 2009. All photographs © Thomas Larose unless otherwise noted. Send comments to tlarose@vsu.edu . Author takes full responsibility for all content. This is a course web site, part of the official Virginia State University site.
other resources for art history