South/Southeast Asia

3 Credits · Level: Graduate, Undergraduate

This course will survey architectural sites and artworks primarily in South Asia with consideration of corresponding material in Southeast Asia. Much of our focus will be on the visual and material culture of Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism, and Islam, as well as visual and architectural expressions of royal authority. In addition to architecture, we will examine sculpture and mural and portable painting. Some of the issues to be considered are: the dialogue between the various religions of India and Southeast Asia and how this was reflected in the visual arts, interregional influences and artistic exchange between India and Southeast Asia, questions of local patronage and regional style, the premodern discourse on art and aesthetics, and the modern discovery of religious sites by colonial explorers. No prior knowledge of Asian art or religions is required or assumed.