Arts of Asia (saylor.org)

This course serves as an introduction to the major pre-Modern artistic traditions of India, China, and Japan. It is organized into three units that focus on the art and architecture of India, China, and Japan respectively. Each unit is structured chronologically. Unit 1 examines Indian Art from the Indus Valley Civilization (c. 2600-1900 BCE) through the art of the Mughal Empire (1526-1858), focusing on Buddhist, Hindu, and Islamic art and architecture. Unit 2 covers the arts of China from the Shang Dynasty (c.1600-1050 BCE) through the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), detailing the interaction between art, politics, and culture throughout Chinese dynastic history. Unit 3 introduces Japanese Art from the Jomon Period (c.10,500-300 BCE) through the Edo Period (1615-1868), exploring the effects that various sub-traditions and sub-cultures (Tang Dynasty China, Buddhism, and the warrior class) had on the art of Japan.

After completing this course, you will have a comprehensive understanding of the arts and architecture of pre-Modern India, China, and Japan and their relationship to the history and culture of their respective times and places.

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

Identify major pre-modern Indian, Chinese, and Japanese works of art and architecture.

Identify the major art historical time periods in India, China, and Japan and the important artistic developments that occurred during each of them.

Recognize how art and architecture can be used to understand the politics, history, and culture of India, China, and Japan.

Look at, analyze, and compare and contrast different types of Asian art.