ARTH 195 Topics in Art History
Topics vary semester to semester. Specific topics may satisfy different Core Program requirements.
Introduction to the Arts of India and Southeast Asia
This course introduces the art and architecture of South and Southeast Asia, from prehistory to the twenty-first century. It spans a chronology of approximately five thousand years, examining diverse forms of art and their ties to the major religions of Buddhism, Hinduism, and Islam. We will explore the social, political, and religious developments of the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. We will interrogate the key themes and discussions that have come to define the analysis and reception of the art and visual culture of the region, including issues of materiality, patronage, narrative, and style. With successful completion of the course, students will have a foundation for further exploration of the themes and relevance of the arts of South and Southeast Asia. Topics that will be explored include: the development of the Buddha image, the role of images in Hindu art, the Hindu temple, Mughal kingship, trade and textiles, and much more.
Core Requirements Met
- Regional Focus
- Fine Arts
- Pre-1800