Arts of East Asia

3 credits · Undergraduate

This course surveys the artistic traditions of China, Korea, and Japan over six millennia. Through lectures and readings, students are introduced to themes central to the development of art in East Asia. We begin with the form, meaning, and function of archaeological remains, then turn to consider the role of art in Buddhist ritual and worship. Lectures on secular painting will focus on the complex interactions of text and image, and on alternative modes of visualizing exeamplary conduct. Theoretical issues and visual analysis of individual works will be introduced through weekly guided discussions.