The Arts of Africa

7

THE ARTS OF AFRICA

Department of Art / University of Northern Iowa

Arthist4159 01 / Fall 2011 / 3 credit hours

11:00 – 12:15/ Tues. and Thurs. / 270 KAB

Professor: Dr. Elizabeth Sutton

Office: 214 KAB

Office Hours: Thursdays 9-10 am, or by appointment

Email:

Phone: 319.273.6260

Course Website: http://BB9.uni.edu/

A Roman historian once wrote, “There is always something new out of Africa.” This ancient observation is as true today as it was in the first century CE. Visual culture is a rich resource we can use to examine the varieties of social, religious, and political experience on the continent. This course provides a survey of the visual culture of African peoples. We will examine the historical and contemporary visual culture produced by peoples from the countries of Ghana, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Mali, Sierra Leone, Angola, and The Democratic Republic of Congo, and examine continuities and disparities reflected in the Diaspora. Sculpture, pottery, textiles, architecture, painting, and performance will be considered from the perspective of their production and function within the social context. The course will include a variety of in-class activities and opportunities for experiential learning. Students will demonstrate mastery of the material surveyed through the thoughtful and thorough completion of assignments designed to assess visual literacy and analysis, growth in writing skill, research ability, and awareness of diverse cultural contexts.

Objectives: By the end of the course, students will be able to:

§  Identify major object types and styles, functions, and the African peoples who produced them

§  Explain the significance of these works in their cultural context

§  Analyze the visual material using relevant terminology

§  Explain key themes of historical African visual culture and contemporary issues

§  Evaluate selections of written primary and secondary historical sources

§  Synthesize key themes and issues in research and collaborative projects

Textbooks: Visoná, Monica, et al. Survey of the History of African Art. 2nd ed. New York: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2008.

Coursepack: selections from Reading the Contemporary. Eds. Olu Oguibe and Okwui Enwezor. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 1999. [Available at University Book]

BB9: Additional readings will be on BB9. Important handouts, powerpoint lectures, and announcements will be posted regularly to BB9. The grade book component will also be updated periodically. Please note that the official grade book for the course (with the most up-to-date data) is kept by the professor and may not be reflected on BB9.

Requirements: Students are expected to engage fully with the course material by completing all assignments, participating actively in discussions, asking questions as needed, and attending class meetings.

Attendance: Consistent attendance is required and is absolutely necessary for your success in this class. You are responsible for content from class. If you miss an assignment, quiz, or paper deadline because of a serious family emergency or for medical reasons and you would like a make-up or extension, you will need to provide appropriate documentation verifying your excuse. If you cannot attend a class meeting, you are responsible for obtaining the information presented from a peer or by making an appointment with me. I will not re-teach a missed class.

Class conduct: Do not arrive late, leave class early, or wander in and out of class unless absolutely necessary. Cell phones, smartphones, computers, etc. must be silenced and put away during class meetings. Emailing, texting, websurfing, playing games, etc. are all expressly forbidden. Caps, hats, phones, computers, and other electronic devices are not allowed during exams. If you use devices improperly, you will be asked to leave.

At all times your behavior must communicate the utmost respect for others. Talking while others are speaking, texting, sleeping, being openly disrespectful, or in any way impeding the free exchange of ideas will result in your being asked to leave.

Academic Honesty: Cheating or plagiarism of any kind will not be tolerated. It is your responsibility to understand what constitutes plagiarism and cheating. See Academic Ethics and Discipline in the student handbook available at http://www.uni.edu/policies/301. Ask me if you have questions.

Accessibility and SDS: If you have a documented disability and anticipate needing accommodations in this course, please meet with me within the first two weeks of class. Please request that Student Disability Services (SDS) staff send a SAAR form verifying your disability and specifying the accommodation you will need. SDS is located at 103 Student Health Center, (319) 273-2676.

Academic Learning Center Resources:

I encourage you to use the Academic Learning Center’s free assistance with writing, reading, and learning strategies. UNI’s Academic Learning Center is located in 008 ITTC. The Writing Center offers one-on-one writing assistance and the Reading and Learning Center provides consultations on reading, note-taking, and other academic success strategies. http://www.uni.edu/unialc/. Phone 319-273-2361 for more information.

ASSIGNMENTS AND GRADES

Attendance and Behavior:

Come to class having thoroughly read the assigned text(s).

Participate actively in discussion and class activities.

Note that more than one unexcused absence will result in a deduction of 5 points per class missed. Tardiness, texting, sleeping, and rude behavior will also result in automatic point deductions.

Weekly Blogs: (10 @ 10 pts/100 pts; comments 10 @ 5 pts/50 pts)

You are required to maintain a blog, writing weekly reflections on class readings and events. You will also comment each week on one of your peers’ analyses. Blogging will be via blogger.com. Individual blogs are due Friday evening, addressing that week’s readings, events, or instructor’s prompt. Comments are due by Monday night. Blogs will be graded based on grammar, mechanics, thoughtfulness, and depth of analysis. The rubric is attached, and is also available on BB9.

Online Museum: (100 pts)

You will research, design, and write the script for a tour on a theme of your choosing. You are required to include at least ten African art objects of your choice on the tour. You will create a website through which you will upload object images, object description and labels, and bibliography. From this site, you will lead the class on a “virtual tour.” Make sure that you consult the assignment sheet on BB9.

Objects and Bibliography (50 pts)

5 objects, descriptions, and bibliography in Chicago Style due in class 11/15 to workshop (25 pts)

ALL 10 objects and bibliography due in class and submit on BB9 11/29 (25 pts)

Online Docent Tour (50 pts) week 16 and finals week

Grading Scale: 250 points total

94-100% A 90-93% A- 88-89% B+ 84-87% B 80-83% B-

78-79% C+ 74-77% C 70-73% C- 68-69% D+ 64-67% D

Please note: Students are encouraged to speak with me about their progress throughout the semester. Please do not hesitate to let me know if you need additional help in this course.

Other Guidelines: Please, NO email submissions of any assignments and/or excuses. If you email me, make sure you employ common courtesies, including proper salutation and closing. Eg: Dear Dr. Sutton, thank you, your name.

All assignments (except in-class work) are to be typed: Times New Roman or Calibri, 11-12 pt, double spaced, one-inch margins, black ink, white paper, or uploaded to BB9.

SCHEDULE

All readings must be completed before the class period under which they are listed.

*This schedule is subject to change at the discretion of the professor.

WEEK 1

8/23 Introduction and assignment explanations. Key themes.

Overview of African history, go to link on BB9: http://www.uiowa.edu/~africart/toc/history/giblinhistory.html

“Key Moments In Life” http://www.uiowa.edu/~africart/toc/chapters/KML.html

HOMEWORK: Complete SALG. Link via email and online BB9

8/25 Discuss copyright and images; creating blogs and websites

“African Perspectives” DVD

Watch before class: panopto on copyright and blogging tutorial (links on BB9)

______

WEEK 2

8/30 Jenné, Tellem, Dogon to review Key Moments; Ghana Akan I—Asante.

Read: Visoná pp. 14-19; 130-143; 169-173 AND pp. 196-207

9/1 Akan II (+dvd and Fante)

Read: Visoná pp. 208-218; AND John Picton, “Technology, Tradition, and Lurex: The Art of Textiles in Africa” pp.9-30 on BB9

FIRST Blog due Friday—What questions do you have about textiles or Ewe art that you could ask Nani?

WEEK 3

9/6 Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, Togo

Akan III—Fante, Baule, Ewe

Read: Visoná pp. 218-226

9/8 Nani Agbeli Batik Workshop 11 – 1 pm Art Ed Room—required

7 pm Drum and Dance Performance 109 CME—required

9/9 Batik Workshop 11-1 pm—required

Blog due Friday—what did you learn from Nani? How will you use this knowledge?

WEEK 4

9/13 Contemporary Ghanaian Art

Read: Visoná pp. 226 and “The Radiance of the King,” by Donald Cosentino, African Arts (2009) 1-8. On BB9.

9/15 Watch “In and Out of Africa” in class

Blog due Friday—make sure to address the reading and DVD.

WEEK 5

9/20 Guinea Bissau, Coastal West Africa

Bidyogo, Bamana (Mande)
Read: Visoná pp. 105-123; 173-180

9/22 Burkina Faso Bwa(+dvd)

Read: Visoná pp. 156-158; 324, AND Cole, “Introduction,” in I Am Not Myself, (1985) 15-27. Available on BB9

Blog due Friday—make sure to address Cole’s essay.

WEEK 6

9/27 Mossi

Read: Visoná pp. 159-162

9/29 Nigeria Ile-Ife (+dvd)

Read: Visoná pp. 228-238

Blog due Friday

WEEK 7

10/4 Yoruba I

Read: Visoná pp. 238-271

10/6 Yoruba II

Blog due Friday

WEEK 8

10/11 Intro Haitian art; review Orisha

Read: Visoná pp. 532-537

AND Karen McCarthy Brown, “Mama Lola and the Ezili: Theme of Mothering and Loving in Haitian Vodou,” in Unspoken Worlds, ed. Nancy Auer Falk (Wadsworth, 1989), 235-45. On BB9.

10/13 Watch in class: PBS Black in Latin America—Haiti

Blog due Friday—Address McCarthy Brown’s article and the DVD

WEEK 9

10/18 Congo: Kongo, Kuba

Read: Visoná pp.350-363; 381-392

10/20 Kingdom of Benin and Igbo I

Read: Visoná pp. 272-287

NO BLOG DUE—WORK ON YOUR WEB MUSEUM

______

WEEK 10

10/25 Igbo II

Read: Visoná pp. 287-302 AND Suzanne Preston Blier “Imaging Otherness in Ivory: African Portrayals of the Portuguese ca. 1492” On BB9.

10/27 Discussion of articles and theme of Hybridity

Read: Henry Drewal “Mami Wata Shrines: Exotica and the Construction of Self” in African Material Culture, ed. Mary Jo Arnoldi (IUP, 1996), 308-333. On BB9

Blog due Friday—make sure to address the readings from this week and any connections to other material we’ve discussed

WEEK 11

11/1 Diaspora and Contemporary African Art

Read: Visoná pp. 500-504; 512-514; 516-532; 537-541 AND Sidney Kasfir, “African Art and Authenticity” in RTC pp.88-113

11/3 Contemporary African Art: Discussion

Read: “Yinka Shonibare: Hedonism, masquerade, carnivalesque and power” in Looking Both Ways, (2003), 162-177 on BB9 AND Olu Oguibe “Art, Identity, Boundaries” in Reading the Contemporary (RTC) pp.17-29

Blog due Friday—make sure to address the readings from this week and any connections to other material we’ve discussed

WEEK 12

11/8 Discussion

Read: Rotimi Fani-Kayode, “Traces of Ecstasy” in RTC pp. 277-281 AND Kobena Mercer, “Eros and Diaspora” in RTC pp. 283-293

11/10 NO CLASS MEETING. GO TO Waterloo Arts Center Haitian Collection on your own!!

Blog due Friday: Respond to WAC visit

WEEK 13

11/15 Writing Workshop in class; Ask questions re: Online Docent Tour

First five object entries and bibliography due IN CLASS and on BB9

11/17 Answer questions, address issues. Library Resources. SALG and catch up; Chicago Style

WEEK 14 THANKSGIVING BREAK

WEEK 15

11/29 Writing Workshop 2. Peer editing of 2nd drafts of Object Entries.

DUE: ALL 10 Object Entries and Bibliography in class and on BB9.

12/1 Discussion

Read: Salah Hassan “The Modernist Experience in African Art: Cross-Cultural Aesthetics” in RTC pp. 215-235

WEEK 16

12/6 Docent Tours.

12/8 Docent Tours.

Finals Week 12-16 Docent Tours.

Appendix A

Blogs/150 points (10 @ 10 pts, 10 comments @ 5 pts)

Questions to Consider for Blogging:

§  What did you like about class/assigned material this week? What didn’t you like?

§  What are the major themes/issues addressed in class this week?

§  Make links to specific objects and peoples.

§  What are the major themes/issues addressed in the assigned readings/media?

§  How do the assigned material and class material relate?

§  If you are addressing an article/essay, what is the author’s thesis? What is his/her evidence?

§  What are the strengths and weaknesses of the article/essay?

§  How does this article help (or hinder) our interpretation/understanding of the African art?

§  Does it help us reflect upon and/or be critical of prior interpretations (historiography)? How?

§  If paired, how do the readings inform each other, if at all?

§  What questions did class and/or the assigned material raise for you?

§  Choose a statement, supporting evidence, or passage from the article that particularly struck you. Why is it important to you?

§  NB on quotes—don’t “just quote.” Paraphrase (with citation) and explain.

Blog Rubric 10 pts

Blog entry adequately responds to guided question sheet or posted prompt supporting evidence, and thoughtful analysis / Blog entry answers the question with some detail and supporting evidence. / Blog entry does not fully answer question, lacks detail and evidence.
Few to no mechanical and grammatical errors / Some mechanical and grammatical errors, no hindrance to meaning / Mechanical and/or grammatical errors hinder meaning
Critical response that includes personal reactions thoughtfully supported. / Works to connect personally to material, but with little or no support. / Lacks critical thinking about personal reactions.
Analyzes and reflects on material from class and readings discussed. Relevant connections made. / Works to show some analysis and reflection on material from class and readings discussed. Attempt to make connections. / Does not analyze or reflect on material from class and readings. No relevant connections made.

Comments Rubric 5 pts

Comments go beyond agreement or disagreement with author. Try: “I see…” “Have you considered…” “A question I have is….” / Attempts to go beyond agreement. / Only states unsupported opinion.
Addresses specific points made by the author and adds insight. / Addresses some specific points and adds a small amount of insight. / Does not add address author’s comments.

Appendix B

Online Museum/100points

Step 1a: Choose your Objects

·  You need to choose 10 objects created by peoples of African descent

·  Choose objects that interest you