Art History 146: Art of India

This course presents an overview of the art and architecture of the Indian subcontinent spanning roughly 5,000 years of history, from the Indus Valley Civilization to the 21^st century. Particular emphasis will be placed on the study of objects and sites in their religious, cultural, political, and historical contexts. Topics addressed in the class include (but are not limited to) the origin of the Buddha image, the function of erotic sculpture in religious contexts, ritual practice and sacred space, trends in patronage, cultural exchange between Muslim and Hindu courts in the medieval and early modern era, methods of art collecting and display, the impact of British imperialism on artistic production in India, the importance of visual culture in the Indian nationalist movement, and the tension between tradition and globalization in the contemporary art of South Asia. Several short papers, presentations, exams, and class participation are required. May be taken for credit toward the South Asian and Middle Eastern Studies major.