LEARNING OUTCOMES
The aim of the course is to broaden perspectives on the history of art, by looking at art and art history debates outside the Western world. The students become familiar with the extent to which contexts shape our comprehension of art history. They learn to identify and understand the terminology and concepts that underlie our current art historical thinking. The course will increase the students’ ability to examine the history of visual culture from a holistic, global perspective. We will ask how does cross-cultural exposure and influence manifest itself in art history and contemporary art. How cultures have intermingled, and how cultural identities have been constructed in artistic and cultural practice and in art historical research.
Credits: 3
Schedule: 09.01.2025 - 13.03.2025
Teacher in charge (valid for whole curriculum period):
Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Sanna Lehtinen
Contact information for the course (applies in this implementation):
CEFR level (valid for whole curriculum period):
Language of instruction and studies (applies in this implementation):
Teaching language: English. Languages of study attainment: English
CONTENT, ASSESSMENT AND WORKLOAD
Content
valid for whole curriculum period:
We will look at selected examples from different cultures and continents (for example South, Central and North America, Africa, India, China, Japan, Near East). We will study global art history and contemporary art, as well as cultural meanings associated with material artefacts, dress and bodily adornment. We will use a set of keywords to approach complex issues related to the relationships between indigenous peoples, minorities, and dominant cultures (such as diaspora, colonialism, orientalism, primitivism, identity and racialization). We will discuss the universal experiences of humanity and the interaction between cultures, and how these have manifested themselves in the history of art.
Assessment Methods and Criteria
valid for whole curriculum period:
Individual written assignment.
Approved completion of the course requires students to attend at least 80% of the classes, participate in discussion and group work, and complete the individual written assignment within required time.
Workload
valid for whole curriculum period:
Lectures and short introductions. Discussion and group work. Short exercises based on examples, concepts, key words, texts and other material introduced in the course, which may include independent work and familiarization with pre-given material. When possible, exhibition and museum visits related to the themes of the course.
3 cr, 81 hours:
- Contact teaching (27 h)
- Short assignments and independent work (27 h)
- Course work (27 h)
DETAILS
Study Material
valid for whole curriculum period:
Literature, articles, videos, and other visual material during the course and in MyCourses.
Substitutes for Courses
valid for whole curriculum period:
Prerequisites
valid for whole curriculum period:
SDG: Sustainable Development Goals
5 Gender Equality
10 Reduced Inequality
16 Peace and Justice Strong Institutions
FURTHER INFORMATION
Further Information
valid for whole curriculum period:
Teaching Language: English
Teaching Period: 2024-2025 Spring III - IV
2025-2026 Spring III - IVRegistration:
A minimum of 8 students is needed for the course to be held. Maximum amount of participants is 30 students.
Priority order to courses is according to the order of priority decided by the Academic committee for School of Arts, Design and Architecture https//www.aalto.fi/en/services/registering-to-courses-and-the-order-of-priority-at-aalto-arts
If there are more applicants than available seats, SISU conducts a raffle to allocate seats. In the event of a raffle, the remaining students are placed on a waiting list in numerical order. On the first day of the course, these students may check for available seats in case any of the selected students do not show up. Any available seats are then filled in numerical order.