Survey of Chinese Art 1

(2.5-3 Credit Hours) · Undergraduate

This module is a general survey of the history of art in China, from its earliest manifestations in the Neolithic-period to the contemporary period. Major art forms to be studied include ceramics, jade, architecture, painting and calligraphy. The social and cultural contexts of important art works from different periods in Chinese history will also be discussed. There is an emphasis on looking and handling real objects, understanding material and media, and acquiring visual literacy skills. The course is thus divided into two sections respectively on material and visual culture. It is intended for all students who are interested in Chinese art and culture. At the end of the course, students should be able to: 1. recognize the different forms and media that are found in Chinese art and understand their historical meaning and contexts; 2. understand basic art-history concepts like style, iconography, aesthetics and design; 3. conduct visual analysis of works of art, and write about them in a structured articluate manner; 4. develop a framework for appreciating historical art. **Course must be taken for at least 2.5 credits to count as University Core Art requirement.