This introductory course is designed to teach students how to think, read, and write critically about Chinese art by focusing on visual materials (paintings, export art, ceramics, crafts, architectures, archaeological materials, video installations, etc.) produced in or around the region known as Guangdong, more popularly known in the West as Canton. Though located in the southern periphery of China proper, the region had a strong artistic and cultural connection to the various political and cultural centers in the North. The region’s unique artistic achievements could be attributed to its historical contacts through maritime trade with the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Europe, and America. While maintaining its own special artistic and cultural identity, Cantonese art can provide different but important insights into the overall development of Chinese art for the last 2000 years.

Like all R1B classes, it is the goal of this class to assist students in learning and developing the necessary tools for writing a successful research paper at a university level. Weekly readings, assignments, and in-class workshops will be given to facilitate this process. Demonstration of the skills acquired throughout the semester will culminate in a 10-page research paper due at the end of the semester.