2008/09 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

ARTF3167 African Art I: Context Representation Signification

20 creditsClass Size: 21

Module manager: Dr Will Rea
Email: W.R.Rea@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2008/09

Pre-requisite qualifications

At least 20 credits from the following list of modules: ARTF1005, ARTF1006, ARTF1007, ARTF1008, ARTF1041, ARTF1042, ARTF2000 or other level two module

Module replaces

African Art ARTF 3005

This module is approved as an Elective

Module summary

PRE-REQUISITES: Students wishing to take this module as an elective at level three must have completed at least 20 credits from ARTF 2000 or any other level two ARTF coded module.This module is designed to show that there are continuities and discontinuities between 'western' art historical preoccupations and aesthetic, social, and signifying fields that are indigenous to Africa. These questions can be considered through concerns which are often contemporary with the present time or available for study within the present century. The human body and person are easily identifiable as the locus of these concerns and fields, e.g. through marking and masking, as also with the substance of masquerade and its variable articulations of identity, gender, power, and play. The human body and person is also the subject matter of much sub-Saharan African sculpture, and here too we find ourselves considering signification, aesthetic assessment, contrasts between political and metaphysical powers and their legitimation; and with art as a means of addressing political circumstances. The module concludes with the differing contextual implications and articulations within and beyond the work of art itself and the problematic issues of iconography and semiotics in Africa. This module complements ARTF3168 but can be completed as a stand-alone module.Assessment: 1 x 1 hour exam (50%) and 1 x 2-3,000 word essay (50%)

Objectives

On completion of this module students should have gained an understanding of the traditions of African art, an overview of African history, techniques and methods for the research of African art, and the theory and methods of comparative art history.

Skills outcomes
Verbal and written fluency in constructing a logical and coherent argument.
Use of audio visual aids
Participation in group discussions
Co-ordination and dissemination of a range of historical, contextual visual information
Using bibliographies and databases

Syllabus

This module is designed to show that there are continuities as well as discontinuities between "western" art historical preoccupations and aesthetic, social and signifying fields that are indigenous to Africa (i.e. in the sense of this or that place in Africa). These questions can be considered in terms of a variety of concerns which are often contemporary with the present time, or at any rate available for study within the present century. The human body and person are easily identifiable as the locus of these concerns and fields, e.g. through marking and masking, as also with the substance of masquerade and its variable articulations of identity, gender, power, and play. The human body and person is also the subject matter of much sub Saharan African sculpture, and here too we find ourselves considering signification, aesthetic assessment, contrasts between political and metaphysical powers and their legitimation; and with art as a means of addressing political circumstances. The module concludes with the differing contextual implications and articulations within and beyond the work of art itself and this course examines the problematic issues of iconography and semiotics in Africa. This module complements ARTF3168 but can be completed as a stand alone module.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Seminar	10	2.00	20.00
Private study hours			180.00
Total Contact hours			20.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

180 hours - bibliographic research in libraries; On line Research / Electronic Resources; Essay writing and research; Museum visits (optional)

There is also an optional gallery visit in reading week.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

- non-assessed reading week assignment
- attendance and participation at weekly seminars

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	1 x 2,000-3,000 word essay	50.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		50.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Exams

Exam type	Exam duration	% of formal assessment
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc)	1 hr 00 mins	50.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		50.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 01/04/2009

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