FA 0621 Art of China (Spring 2008)

(Speaking-Enhanced)
University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown
248 Biddle Hall
MWF 1:00-1:50 p.m.
Spring 2008

Dr. Valerie S. Grash
Associate Professor of Fine Arts
Office: 230B Biddle Hall
Phone: 269-7164
Email: vgrash@pitt.edu

Office Hours: Mondays & Wednesdays, 2:00-3:00 p.m.; Tuesdays & Thursdays, 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m., and by appointment.

Notwithstanding the title, the purpose of this course is to introduce you to the rich artistic and cultural traditions of Asia as a whole, but particularly India, China and Japan. In doing so, we will address certain essential issues including:

1. What are the basic religious and cultural beliefs of each society, and how do these contribute to the production of art?
2. How did historical events and societal conditions play a role in forming unique works of art?
3. What degree of interaction occurred between these cultures, and how did that affect their art?
4. Who were the major artists and how did they create their works?
5. How and why does Asian art differ from traditional Western art?

We will approach this task by following a roughly chronological trail, from prehistory through the twentieth century. By necessity, this course takes a broad approach, yet singular monuments of great importance will receive intense study. At the conclusion of this course, you will:

1. Possess a new understanding of, and appreciation for, Asian art.
2. Understand the techniques used in the creation of art in general.
3. Comprehend the major tenets of Eastern religions, including Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam and Shinto.
4. Recognize and understand significant works of Asian art.
5. Appreciate the culturally-based differences between Eastern and Western art.

• John D. LaPlante, Asian Art, Third Edition (McGraw-Hill, 1992) ISBN 0697115917
• Hermann Hesse, Siddhartha (Bantam Classics, 1981) ISBN 0553208845

Faculty Statement:
My role is to facilitate learning through lecture and clarification of specific points through questioning and discussion, whether in the classroom, during office hours or via electronic correspondence. It is your responsibility to attend class, take accurate notes and approach me with any questions and issues for clarification in a timely manner.

Attendance:
While there is no attendance policy for this course, be forewarned that most of what you will be tested on is discussed thoroughly in class. Even with the textbook, nothing replaces viewing the images projected on screen. Therefore, regular attendance is necessary to succeed in this course. In addition, as classroom discussion is expected, poor attendance will adversely affect you if it comes down to a borderline decision on your final grade.

Notes and Note Taking:
Under no circumstances do I provide notes for missed classes. It is your responsibility, if you miss a class, to acquire the lecture notes from a classmate. Class assignments and announcements are available on the course website. You may tape-record lectures as long as you inform the instructor in advance, and do not disturb others in the class.

Makeup Exams:
I give make-up exams only in cases with legitimate, documented reasons (death in the family, personal hospitalization, required fieldtrips, etc.). In such cases, inform me in advance and provide written confirmation of your absence. For serious issues, you must contact Dr. Jon Gonder's office (269-2076, or gonder@pitt.edu) as soon as possible, and he will notify all your professors of your situation. The make-up exam must be taken within one week of the scheduled test; only one makeup exam per student will be permitted. No one can make-up the final exam, which must be taken at the scheduled time.

Late Assignments:
No extensions are granted for class assignments. Due dates are clearly noted on the syllabus at the beginning of the semester. You should begin each assignment in a timely manner and even complete assignments early. Illness or any other excuse has no bearing on the fact that your work was not turned in on time. Any assignment not turned in by the due date will not be graded, thus earning 0 points for the work. No exceptions are permitted so do not ask!

Academic Integrity:
Please read carefully the Academic Integrity Guidelines in your student handbook. They will be followed to the letter in this course. There is ZERO tolerance for cheating or plagiarism. Any time that you use another person's words or thoughts as your own without giving them proper credit is plagiarism. Any instance of cheating or plagiarism will result in an automatic "F" (0 points) for that assignment, and steps may be taken, according to the Academic Integrity Guidelines, to receive an "F" for the course and for action leading to expulsion from the university. I will not permit re-writing any suspected plagiarized assignment.

Disabilities:
Students with disabilities who may be requesting academic accommodations for this course should notify the course instructor and Theresa M. Horner, L.P.C., Coordinator of Disability Services, as early as possible in the term. The Coordinator of Disability Services will verify the disability and determine reasonable accommodations for the course. To schedule an appointment or to learn more about disability services at UPJ, please call 269- 7109 or visit the Academic Support Center in G-16 Owen Library.

The purpose of the project is for each group to seek out, acquire and interpret information regarding the art and architecture of other Asian countries not covered in course lectures. These countries include: 

• Afghanistan   
• Mongolia        
• Tibet   
• Thailand         
• Vietnam         
• Korea
• Burma (Myanmar)      
• Nepal  
• Bhutan           
• Cambodia       
• Pakistan          
• Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon)

Divided into groups of three, students will complete a two-part project covering your assigned country:

Each group will compile and creatively present a unique scrapbook about the country they researched during the semester. This creatively designed work will include:  

1.      Visual images, accompanied by substantive paragraphs, illustrating your country’s primary examples of art and architecture. All information sources must be clearly notated. 

2.      An annotated list of 15-20 quality web sites dealing with some of aspect of your country's artistic heritage. These can be sites associated with museums, universities, galleries, individuals, groups or governments. A brief explanation (2 or 3 sentences) of the site's main thrust and significance must accompany each link. 

3.      An annotated bibliography of at least 15 books and articles (no online sites) dealing with that country's art. Again, a brief statement as to the work's major contribution must accompany each entry. These can consist of entire books, chapters in books or merely short passages in books, but each must be of significant value in terms of furthering understanding about your country's art. 

You must clearly note somewhere how group members divided the work for this assignment. Due: April 18

January 14 The Zhou Dynasty: Confucianism and Daoism (Chapter 11 con't)
January 16 Qin Dynasty: Imperial Power and Monumental Projects (Chapter 12)
January 18 The Han Dynasty (Chapter 12 con't)

January 21 No Class-Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
January 23 Buddhism and Early Images of Buddha in India (Chapters 2-3)
January 25 In-Class Discussion of Hermann Hesse's Siddhartha

January 28 Buddhist Architecture: The Great Stupa at Sanchi (Chapter 3 con't)
January 30 Gupta India: Mahayana Buddhism (Chapter 4) (Reaction Papers due)
February 01 Buddhism's Impact on China (Chapter 13)

February 04 Exam I
February 06 Hinduism and Sculpted Images of Hindu Deities in India (Chapter 6)
February 08 Hindu Architecture (Chapter 6 con't)

February 11 Hindu Architecture (Chapter 6 con't)
February 13 Islam and the Moslem Conquest of India (Chapter 7)
February 15 The Taj Mahal

February 18 India After the Moguls (Chapter 8)
February 20 The Advent of Chinese Court Painters (Chapter 14)
February 22 Tang Dynasty, and Chan Buddhism (Chapters 14-15)

February 25 Song Dynasty Ceramics (Chapter 16)
February 27 Song Dynasty Landscape Painting (Chapter 16 con't)
February 29 Yuan Dynasty (Chapter 17)

March 03 Exam II
March 05 Ming Dynasty (Chapter 18)
March 07 The Forbidden City (Chapter 18 con't)

March 10 No Class-Spring Break
March 12 No Class-Spring Break
March 14 No Class-Spring Break

March 17 Shinto Art and Architecture in Japan (Chapter 21)
March 19 Buddhism Reaches Japan (Chapters 22-24)
March 21 Japan under Military Rule: The Shoguns (Chapter 25)

March 24 The Momoyama and Edo/Tokugawa Periods (Chapter 26)
March 26 Japanese Architecture (Chapter 26 con't)
March 28 Ukiyo-e Prints in the Edo Period, 1603-1867 (Chapter 26 con't)

March 31 Impact of Japanese Art and Architecture on the Western World
April 02 Exam III
April 04 Presentation of Group Projects

April 07 Presentation of Group Projects
April 09 Presentation of Group Projects
April 11 Presentation of Group Projects

April 14 Presentation of Group Projects
April 16 Presentation of Group Projects
April 18 Presentation of Group Projects (all Scrapbooks due)