COURSE CODE:
IFA 2206
COURSE NAME:
HISTORY OF ART SPECIAL
Course Description
The course introduces learners to art theory and criticism. Its main content then exposes them
to the understanding of the role of art in development of cultures and civilizations. Its approach
is not based on chronology and therefore combines both criticisms of past artworks and
contemporary ones that are produced by all artists of all periods. It utilizes works from selected
civilizations and cultures and artistic practice to establish basic principles of aesthetic
organization and the relationship between art and society.
Course Objectives:
This course is intended to:
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To introduce students to Art theory and criticism from the classical era up to the
contemporary world so that they can develop critical approach to art works.
Allow students to engage in criticism of works of art of other civilizations and that of their
own environment so as to enhance their knowledge of postmodern debates of cultural
identity and cultural diversity.
Equip them with the skills of critical argument and creative writing about art and society.
To equip them with useful skills that they can apply in their own artistic practices.
Course Outline
Week 1-2: Art Theory: introduction
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Introduction to art theory and criticism
Definitions/meanings, language
Art and society, (Introductions)
Art and/in the contemporary world (general state)
Week 3: Types of art criticism
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Formal art criticism
Contextual art criticism
Art criticism by style
Art criticism by iconography
Week 4: Development of art theory in history
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Selected art theories in history: from Plato’s imitation through formalism to the current
institutionalism
Art movements (isms) and their effects on modern art
Week 5: Approaches to art appreciation (details)
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Formal art criticism
Appreciation of selected art forms by using different approaches of art and design
The Eurocentric approach (advantages and disadvantages).
Other approaches; Africa in particular (advantages and disadvantages)
Guided discussion on selected works
Week 6: Contextual art criticism (case with cultural art in Uganda)
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Placing art forms in their respective backgrounds
Meanings, relationship between art, culture and contemporary life (social, political,
economic, etc). (Advantages and disadvantages of contextual approach).
Appreciating African tribal arts by use of the contextual approach.
Guided discussion on selected works
Week 7: Test one and Coursework one
Week 8: Art criticisms by style and iconography (details)
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Appreciating art forms by critically studying and categorizing them by stylistic traits and
different icons.
Appreciating art forms by critically studying and categorizing them according to
iconography
Guided discussion on selected works (style and iconography)
Week 9: Approach to critical essays on art
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The approach: Introduction, Description, interpretation, Judgment and conclusion
Guided discussion on selected works
Classroom presentations
Week 10: Critical essays on art cultural art forms
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Writing about Uganda’s varied artifacts and how they inform about the life of Ugandans:
The relationships between the crafts and social behavior.
Classroom presentations
Week 11: Critical essays on Uganda’s art of the colonial period.
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The colonial art of Uganda.
The relationship between colonial life and art.
Products of former art education
Essays on selected artists and their work
Week 12: Critical essays on post-colonial art forms of East Africa (1962 – 1985).
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Hybridism in approaches caused by Eurocentric art education
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Postmodernism (Meaning and influence on the arts of East Africa)
Week 13: Test two and course work two
Week 14: Critical essays on art if Contemporary art forms of Uganda (1986 to date)
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Cause for Industrial and fine arts; how they relate to various contemporary needs.
Role of Contemporary art forms in promotion of cultural identity and cultural diversity
Week 15: Discussions II
Learning outcomes
By the end of the semester, students will be equipped with knowledge about Art theory and
criticism from the classical era up to the contemporary world so that they can develop critical
approach to art works. They will also be exposed to practical criticism of works of art of other
civilizations and that of their own environment. They will further be competent in critical
debates in art and creative writing about art and culture in societies.
Methods of teaching
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Lecture method with question and answers 15 minutes towards the end.
Group discussions.
Some of the lectures shall be enhanced with slide/video shows.
Some discussions will be facilitated by at least one selected member of staff.
Assessment:
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2 Tests: --------------------------@12 % = 24%
2Course works: ----------------@ 8 = 16%
Examination: -------------------60%
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Total: ----------------------------100%
Reading/reference material
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4.
Gardner H (1996): Art Through the ages Ed 10. Brace and Company, Harcourt
Gombrich E.H (1995): The story of Art Ed 16. Phaid on Press London0
Janson H, W (1986): History of Art. Thames and Hudson London.
Mc Null B.E (1968) Western Civilization Their History and their Culture. WW Norton and
Company Inc, New York
5. Gilbert R (2002) Living with art. Mc Graw Hill. New York
6. Osborn (1970) The Oxford Companion to art Oxford University press. Inc. New York.
7. Internet sources.
8. Encarta Dictionary.
9. Herschel. B. C, (1996): Theories of Modern Art, University of California Press, London
10. William. B, (1973): African Art in Cultural Perspective, Norton and Company New York
11. Read. H, (1964): Modern Sculpture, Thames and Hudson New York
12. Vansina. J, (1984): Art History in Africa, Longman London
13. Seggy. L, (1969): African Sculpture Speaks, ED 4 Ada Capo Paper Back
14. Angela .F, (1984): Africa Adorned, The Hartville Press London
15. Caroline K, (1998): Aesthetics the big Question, Blackwell Publishers
16. http://www.wsu.edu/~dee/CIVAFRCA/CONTENTS.HTM
17. http://www.homestead.com/wysinger/ancientafrica.html
18. http://www.archaeolink.com/ancient_african_civilizations.htm