STANDARD COMPETENCIES:

 

 I.      Think analytically and critically about the arts (visual, performing, written) by

         A.      describing the basic elements and their effects on individual works of art.

         B.      evaluating the effects of geography, economics, politics, religion, philosophy, and science on the values of a culture and the stylistic features of the arts.

         C.      relating the major values and concerns of a historical era to the art forms of the period.

         D.      interpreting their themes or expressive content.

 II.     Recognize and describe structural, stylistic and aesthetic relationships among the arts.

 III.    Compare and contrast some cultural attitudes and values of specific eras of the past to those of the present in order to

         A.      demonstrate an awareness of the legacy of various civilizations, including non-western and western perspectives.

         B.      identify the perspectives about life that advance or hinder creative energies.

         C.      promote understanding for different ways of dealing with common issues.

 IV.     Write and speak clearly and logically, in presentations and essays, about topics studied in humanities courses.

 V.      Read, comprehend, and think critically about new situations and written material related to the study of Humanities.

 TOPICAL OUTLINE:

 

 I.      India:

         A.      Introduction; Elements of Art

         B.      Hinduism:

                 1.      Hindu Religion and Literature  (Mahabaratta and Rig Veda)

                 2.      Hindu Sculpture, Iconography and Aesthetics

                 3.      Hindu Architecture

                 4.      Music and Dance--Kathakali and Ragas

         C.      Buddhism:

                 1.      Buddhism--The Mahayana and Theravada Schools, Sculpture and Painting

                 2.      Buddhist Architecture

                 3.      Tibetan Buddhism--Mandalas, Sand Painting, The Book of the Dead

         D.      Islam:

                 1.      Islam and the Mughal Dynasty-- History and Art

                 2.      Islamic Architecture

 II.     China:

         A.      The Formation of Chinese Traditions:

                 1.      Philosophy--I Ching, Tao Te Ching and Confucianism

                 2.      Bronze and Jade

                 3.      Ceramics

         B.      Post-Buddhist China:

                 1.      Architecture and Ch`an Buddhism

                         a.      Zen poems

                 2.      Painting

                 3.      Music/Dance--Chinese Opera

                 4.      Minor Arts--Cloisonn¿, Lacquer, Silk

 III.    Japan:

         A.      Ancient Japan:

                 1.      Shinto and The Introduction of Buddhism

                 2.      Pottery and Sculpture

                 3.      Music/Drums

         B.      Feudal Japan, Courtly Arts:

                 1.      History, The Rise of the Shogunate and the Samurai Class

                 2.      Literature--The Tale of Genji, The Pillow Book, Zen Poems

                 3.      Architecture and Zen Gardens

                 4.      Painting and Wood-Block Prints

                 5.      Noh and Kabuki

                 6.      The Tea Ceremony