Art and Belief in China (U04494)

? Credit Points : 20 ? SCQF Level : 10 ? Acronym : ACE-3-U04494

This course examines visual works from the 1st to the 16th century that are linked with the philosophical and religious traditions of Confucianism, Daoism and Buddhism. These include works created in the service of religion as well as secular works inspired by philosophical and religious ideas. The course will consider how factors such as texts, practice, patronage, and mutual influence affected form and function, subject matter, iconography and style. Topics include: use of narrative to promote philosophical and religious ideas; the relationship between Buddhist and Daoist images, the role of immortality beliefs and the relationship between these traditions and popular religious art.

Where practical, dated materials and case studies of works in situate (e.g. cave temples, tombs, and monastery complexes) will be used to help elucidate the rational for the art created. Consideration will also be given to methodological approaches and problems (e.g. limited understanding of how a work was used and received, reliance on potentially non representative works etc.) that hamper an understanding of the art.

Entry Requirements

? Pre-requisites : A pass in either History of Art 2 or Architectural History 2a and 2b.

Subject Areas

Home subject area

History of Art, (School of Arts, Culture and Environment, Schedule A)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : 3rd year

? Delivery Period : Semester 2 (Blocks 3-4)

? Contact Teaching Time : 3 hour(s) per week for 11 weeks

First Class Information

Date	Start	End	Room	Area	Additional Information
15/01/2009	09:00	10:00

All of the following classes

Type	Day	Start	End	Area
Lecture	Thursday	09:00	09:50	Central

? Additional Class Information : As well as the lectures (times above), there will be a seminar on Thursdays from 1400 to 1550.

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course students will be expected to be familiar with the main narrative techniques of the early imperial period and how they were used to promote belief. They will be able to discuss the iconography, dating and patronage of the major religious divinities. They will also be expected to be able to use textual and visual material to analyse how key images were used and understood by the faithful.