Arts of West Africa

Catalog description

This course examines the visual and performed expressions of West Africa. Due to Africa's long and layered history with neighboring regions and global interactions, the course also addresses connections to North Africa, the trans-Saharan trade network, the trans-Atlantic slave trade, Diaspora cultures and international artists who identify with West Africa. West Africa is well known for its rich artistic culture: wooden sculpture, masquerades, ritual, elaborate textiles, dress, architecture, multi-media installation, beadwork, festivals and many more. This course explores these artistic genres, learning about the role of art in the lives of the people who make and use it. A major focus of this class is engaging with the inherent dynamics of power and inequalities that surround this material and region of the World. Students will thus develop strategies to be more civic minded and conscious of the importance of social justice and change. IIIB. PA-4C, SI-02. Cross-listed with ART.