TAD2304

Indian art and design: from pre-history to contemporary A ( 6 points, SCA Band 1, 0.125 EFTSL)

Leader: To be advised

Offered:
Not offered in 2005.

Synopsis: This unit is design to encourage an emphathy with the peoples of the Indian sub-continent, through the study of Art/Design, Religions and Social History. The course will also develop students' awareness of the Anthropology of Art and Design, as well as other theories and research methodologies in the study of cross-cultural aesthetics; much of which is also applicable to the study of non-Indian aesthetics. The course will further students' knowledge of Palaeolithic to Contemporary Indian Art and Design. Emphasis will be placed on the elite histories of Hindu, Buddhist and Islamic visual culture, although considerable time will also be devoted to the study of non-elite traditions.

Objectives: On successful completion of this unit, students will: 1.Identify the great traditions of Indian Art and Design, from the Palaeolithic period to now. Especially the pre-Indo-European heritage and the development of Hindu, Buddhist, Jain, Tantric, Islamic, and Christian Art/Design; 2.Demonstrate a knowledge of rural and tribal traditions of Indian Art and Design; 3.Recognise influences of European Art and Design, prior, during and post the Colonial period; 4.Identify and comment critically on the iconography, context, function and design logics of various examples of Indian Art and Design; 5.Demonstrate a good historical and philosophical understanding of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Tantricism, Islam and Christianity, in India. Apart from an introductory history of styles format, this unit will also introduce students to the study of Social Change and Visual Modernity amongst elite and subaltern populations; 6.Show developed research and writing skills; 7.Show developed ability to speak about visual material to a critical audience; 8.Formulate critical attitudes to Art and Design from a Postcolonial, Subalternist, Poststructuralist and/or Feminist point of view.

Assessment: Short essay (1500 words) 40% + Long essay (2500 words) including class presentation 55% + Reader discussion 5%

Contact Hours: 3 hours in class and 9 independent study hours per week

Prerequisites: A first year sequence in TAD units for faculty course students or permission for all other students.

Prohibitions: TAD2313