AAAS 283AEast Asian Calligraphy

Catalog

Calligraphy, the art of beautiful writing, was long considered the supreme art form in China, Japan, and Korea. The writing of Chinese characters-which was then widely adopted in Korea around the fourth century and in Japan in the mid-sixth century-was thought to be the purest visual manifestation of the writer's inner character and level of cultivation. This course offers students the opportunity not only to appreciate and practice calligraphy but also to explore how it intertwines with various cultural elements in China and influences neighboring countries. The course utilizes multimedia resources, including lectures with visual materials, PowerPoint presentations, open discussions on selected readings, calligraphy demonstrations, and regular hands-on practice with brush and ink. 4 credits. No prerequisite in East Asian language skills required.