Art/Artifact: The Art and Material Culture of Africa

The course introduces students to the central ideas and controversies in African art and material culture (pre-colonial, colonial and post-colonial). We will explore visual and spatial representations of Africa, such as personal adornment, utilitarian objects, sculpture, textiles, painting, masquerade, rock art, and architecture. Paying attention to issues such as identity, religion, politics, collecting practices, and activist art, students will examine African material culture through the multiple lenses of cultural biography, primitive art, tourist art, heritage ethics, and repatriation. Students will have the opportunity to study, handle, and curate African objects from the Haffenreffer Museum's collections. Enrollment limited to 20. First year students require instructor permission to enroll.