African Art, Its Philosophy and Criticism Course Outline - Institute of ...

UGRC 220 ELECTIVE: AFRICAN ART, ITS PHILOSOPHY
AND CRITICISM
Lecturers: Dr. Kwame Labi
Graduate Teaching Assistants: Samuel Abokyi & Esther Naa Darku
Three hours/week:
Lectures: Monday 3:30-5:20pm (NNB1)
One-hour Tutorials: TBD
This course is designed to introduce students to an understanding of African art and its conceptual
framework as evidence of material culture actively involved in the historical process and life of the
African. As a cultural practice, it forms the bedrock of African aesthetic expression. The course argues
that the environment, availability of materials for producing art, different histories and external
influences, have affected African art and its development. The course proposes that African art is
reflective and representative of African belief, philosophy, values and taste, and is used in social, political
and religious functions. The course introduces the forms of art historical and theoretical enquiries and
approaches to the subject such as art as history, aesthetics, style, subject and subject matter,
interpretations and meanings, visual narratives, gender perceptions, roles and representations, art criticism
and contemporary discourses on the practice of art on the continent. Students will be able to understand,
recall, and discuss a brief history of African art, as well as analyze its place in the cultures of selected
ethnic groups across the African continent.
The aim of this 6-week elective African Studies course is:
to develop a better understanding of the place of art in the life and history of Africans
to build an awareness of the theories and methodologies of the discipline of African art history
to establish a rational basis for African art appreciation, criticism, and discourse
The course consists of a class lecture (Mondays 3.30 pm-5.20 pm) and a tutorial session (times TBD) to
explore ideas and issues presented in class lectures.
Weeks 1-3 provide an introduction to African art, its philosophies, and the discipline of African art
history. Weeks 4-6 introduce the historic and contemporary arts of major geographical and cultural
regions.
Assigned readings are available: 1) online in the UGRC 220 course list on the Institute of African Studies
website; and 2) as photocopies in a course Reading Packet at the IAS Library.
A review of this elective course for your exam will be provided by the graduate teaching assistant (date
and time TBD). The exam (worth 70% of the UGRC 220 course grade) will consist of: slide IDs (name,
ethnic group/artist, & function); map IDs; and essay questions. (One compulsory essay question will be
based on material covered during the tutorial sessions.)

Introducing African Art
Topics
Exploration of the many forms and functions of African
art; the artists who create them; and the role of gender in
African art and artistry.
Readings
Perani, Judith and Smith, Fred. “Introduction.” The
Visual Arts of Africa: Gender, Power, and Life
Cycle Rituals. pp. 1-19. NJ: Prentice Hall, 1998.
The Philosophy of African Art
Examination of the impact of African philosophies on art
forms and the creative process, and the value of
understanding African art in terms of cultural practices,
beliefs, and aesthetic systems.
Abiodun, Rowland. “African Aesthetics.” Journal of
Aesthetic Education 35 (2001) 4: 15-23.
The Study of African Art
Review of the history of African art history as an
academic discipline, with an examination of critical
approaches and methodologies used in the study of
African art.
Drewal, Henry John. “African Art Studies Today,”
from African Art Studies: The State of the
Discipline, pp. 29-62. Washington, DC: National
Museum of African Art, 1990.
North and East Africa
Introduction to the arts of North and East Africa, with a
focus on selected cultural groups.
Readings from A History of Art in Africa, 2008:
Early Nile Cultures & Kemet/Egypt, pp. 44-56
The Swahili Coast, pp. 430-438
Pastoral cultures of East Africa, pp. 457-461
West Africa
Introduction to the arts of West Africa, with a focus on
selected cultural groups.
Readings from A History of Art in Africa, 2008:
The Mande, pp. 104-105, 112-123
The Akan, pp. 196-204, 222-224
The Benin Kingdom, pp. 273-283
Central and Southern Africa
Introduction to the arts of Central and Southern Africa,
with a focus on selected cultural groups.
Readings from A History of Art in Africa, 2008:
The Kongo Kingdom, pp. 350-355, 359-361
The Kuba, pp. 381-392
Southern Africa, pp. 464-465, 471-476, 481-483