Active Outline

General Information

Course ID (CB01A and CB01B)
INTL D021.
Course Title (CB02)
History of Art: Native Arts of Mesoamerica and the Andes
Course Credit Status
Credit - Degree Applicable
Effective Term
Fall 2023
Course Description
A general introduction to the visual arts of the indigenous cultures of Mesoamerica, an area extending from northern Mexico through Central America, and the Andean region of South America. This course covers diverse art forms, including architecture, ceramics, weaving, painting and sculpture from antiquity to the present with emphasis upon the Pre-Columbian past. Topics addressing the religious, cultural, social, economic and political contexts of the art will be explored. Compares indigenous arts of the Americas to other world art traditions and assesses the contributions of indigenous cultures in a global context.
Faculty Requirements
Course Family
Not Applicable

Course Justification

This course meets a general education requirement for °®¶¹´«Ã½, CSUGE and IGETC. It belongs on the Art History AA degree and is UC and CSU transferable. This course provides students with an opportunity to take a Non-Western art history class that focuses upon indigenous Latin America. This course meets a general education requirement for °®¶¹´«Ã½, CSUGE and IGETC. It belongs on the Art History AA degree. It is UC and CSU transferable. This course provides students with an opportunity to take a Non-Western art history class that focuses upon indigenous Latin America. This course is cross-listed because it is based upon a standard Art History class, but the content is presented, in part, through approaches from the fields of Mesoamerican and Andean Studies.

Foothill Equivalency

Does the course have a Foothill equivalent?
No
Foothill Course ID

Course Philosophy

Formerly Statement

Course Development Options

Basic Skill Status (CB08)
Course is not a basic skills course.
Grade Options
  • Letter Grade
  • Pass/No Pass
Repeat Limit
0

Transferability & Gen. Ed. Options

Transferability
Transferable to both UC and CSU
°®¶¹´«Ã½ GEArea(s)StatusDetails
2GC1°®¶¹´«Ã½ GE Area C1 - ArtsApproved
CSU GEArea(s)StatusDetails
CGC1CSU GE Area C1 - ArtsApproved
IGETCArea(s)StatusDetails
IG3AIGETC Area 3A - ArtsApproved

Units and Hours

Summary

Minimum Credit Units
4.0
Maximum Credit Units
4.0

Weekly Student Hours

TypeIn ClassOut of Class
Lecture Hours4.08.0
Laboratory Hours0.00.0

Course Student Hours

Course Duration (Weeks)
12.0
Hours per unit divisor
36.0
Course In-Class (Contact) Hours
Lecture
48.0
Laboratory
0.0
Total
48.0
Course Out-of-Class Hours
Lecture
96.0
Laboratory
0.0
NA
0.0
Total
96.0

Prerequisite(s)

Corequisite(s)

Advisory(ies)

EWRT D001A or EWRT D01AH or ESL D005.

Limitation(s) on Enrollment

(Not open to students with credit in the cross-listed course(s).)

(Also listed as ARTS D02H.)

Entrance Skill(s)

General Course Statement(s)

(See general education pages for the requirements this course meets.)

Methods of Instruction

Collaborative learning and small group exercises

Discussion of assigned reading

Discussion and problem solving performed in class

Lecture and visual aids

In-class essays

In-class exploration of Internet sites

Homework and extended projects

In-class student presentations

Assignments

  1. Reading assignments
  2. Written assignments
    1. A visual analysis paper requiring analysis of original works of art in a museum setting.
    2. A guided research paper requiring a bibliography of at least six sources.
  3. Collaborative group work, in-class writing assignments, class exercises.

Methods of Evaluation

  1. In-class participation including writing, exercises,and collaborative group work, during which the student's skill in interpreting relevant issues will be assessed.
  2. A visual analysis paper for which the student will visit a specified museum in the Bay area and critically analyze works of art on the basis of cultural, political or social function and visual appearance (style). The visual analysis paper will be five to six pages in length.
  3. A research paper including visual analysis in which the student will be evaluated on her or his ability to analyze, evaluate and synthesize primary and secondary sources. The research paper will be six to eight pages in length and will include appropriate documentation. The instructor will provide guidance throughout the researching and writing process. An optional art project is included in the assignment, but not required.
  4. Two exams, including a final exam, using the following formats:Objective questions identifying works of art, geographic region and culture, historical period, dates, and media; definition of terms; additional questions in "short answer" format which require knowledge of the cultural, political, social contexts as well as issues of patronage, collection history and archaeology.Written essays comparing and evaluating works of art from different cultures or periods on the basis of context as well as visual analysis.

Essential Student Materials/Essential College Facilities

Essential Student Materials: 
  • None.
Essential College Facilities:
  • None.

Examples of Primary Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisherDate/EditionISBN
*Stone-Miller, Rebecca. "Art of the Andes from Chavin to Inca." 3rd edition. New York: Thames and Hudson, 2012.
*Miller, Mary Ellen. "The Art of Mesoamerica from Olmec to Aztec". 5th edition. New York: Thames & Hudson Ltd., 2012.

Examples of Supporting Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisher
Berrin Kathleen and Virginia M. Fields, eds. "Olmec: Colossal Masterworks of Ancient Mexico." New Haven: Yale University Press, 2010.
Coe, Michael. "Mexico: From Olmecs to the Aztecs". N.Y.: Thames and Hudson, 1994.
Coe, Michael. "The Maya", 6th edition. N.Y.: Thames and Hudson, 2005.
Diehl, Richard. "The Olmecs: America's First Civilization." New York: Thames and Hudson, 2004.
Domenici, David. "The Aztecs: History and Treasures of an Ancient Civilization." Vercelli, Italy: White Star Pub., 2007.
Harasta,Jesse. "Machu Picchu: The History of The Incan City." Cambridge: Charles Rivers Eds., 2017.
Herrera, Rafael Larco. "The Spirit of Ancient Peru". N.Y.: Thames and Hudson, 1997.
Kirkpatrick, Sidney D. "Lords of Sipan: A Tale of Pre-Inca Tombs, Archaeology and Crime". N.Y.: Morrow Press, 1992.
Lamb,Weldon. "The Maya Calendar: a Book of Months". Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 2017.
Leon-Portilla, Miguel. "Aztec Thought and Culture; A Study of the Ancient Nahuatl Mind". Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 1990.
Licon, Ernesto Gonzales. "Vanished Mesoamerican Civilizations: The Unknown Empires of the Zapotecs and Mixtecs". N.Y.: Sharpe Reference, 2000.
Looper, Matthew. "To Be Like Gods: Dance in Ancient Maya Civilization." Austin: University of Texas Press, 2009.
Martin, Simon and Nikolai Grube. "Chronicles of the Maya Kings and Queens." New York: Thames and Hudson, 2000, second edition 2008.
Martin, Simon and Mary Miller. "Courtly Art of the Ancient Maya." New York: Thames and Hudson, 2004.
Miller, Virginia, ed. "The Role of Gender in Precolumbian Art and Architecture". Lanham: University Press America, 1988.
Moseley, Michael E. "Incas and Their Ancestors: The Archaeology of Peru". N.Y.: Thames and Hudson, 2001.
---------. "Mayan Visions: The Quest for Global Autonomy in an Age of Globalization". London: Routledge Press, 2001.
Popol Vuh, "The Mayan Book of the Dawn of Life", revised ed. Tr. Dennis Tedlock. N.Y.: Simon and Shuster, 1996.
Schele, Linda and David Freidel. "A Forest of Kings, the Untold Story of the Ancient Maya". N.Y.: William Morrow, 1990.
Schevill, Margot Blum. "Maya Textiles of Guatemala". Austin: University of Texas, 1993.
Stone, Andrea and Marc Zender. "Reading Maya Art: A Hieroglyphic Guide to Ancient Maya Painting and Sculpture." New York: Thames and Hudson, 2011.
Stone, Rebecca. "The Jaguar Within: Shamanic Trance in Ancient Central and South American Art." Austin: University of Texas Press, 2011.
Warren, Kay. "Indigenous Movements and Their Critics/ Pan-Maya Activism in Guatemala". Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1998.

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

Course Objectives

  • Develop and use interpretive skills to analyze art and architecture through an integration of the disciplines of art history, archaeology, anthropology, geography, museology and history.
  • Examine major artistic traditions from each culture area in light of religious, cultural, social, economic and political contexts.
  • Develop research and writing skills, analyzing both ancient and recent art forms and exploring connections between art and indigenous societies.
  • Explore the origin and history of artistic traditions, examining stylistic characteristics through visual analysis and determining how historical and cultural changes are reflected by style and technique.
  • Compare and contrast the development of artistic traditions within the regions of Mesoamerica and the Andes and recognize influences and cultural exchanges.
  • Assess the impact of European contact upon indigenous cultures and both the maintenance and change in artistic traditions in the post-contact period.
  • Compare and contrast Mesoamerican and Andean indigenous arts to other world art and architectural traditions, acknowledging contributions and cultural exchanges.
  • Evaluate ethical issues regarding the collecting and exhibiting of indigenous arts of the Americas, the role of the international art market, the impact of tourism and the appropriation of indigenous cultures by the tourism industry.

CSLOs

  • Investigate and validate the artistic contributions of Mesoamerican and Andean cultures, critically comparing these contributions from diverse indigenous peoples of the Americas.

  • Develop an increased awareness and appreciation for diverse worldviews and artistic expressions, while critiquing misconceptions and stereotypes and assessing the relevancy of traditional Mesoamerican and Andean art forms in a current global context.

  • Critically analyze and evaluate diverse scholarly perspectives in Mesoamerican and Andean art history.

  • Apply skills demonstrating their abilities to analyze artworks on the basis of social, cultural, political, economic and/or ethnic contexts and issues relevant to gender studies.

  • Demonstrate critical thinking and visual literacy skills through oral communication.

Outline

  1. Develop and use interpretive skills to analyze art and architecture through an integration of the disciplines of art history, archaeology, anthropology, geography, museology and history.
    1. Introduce art historical methods, such as approaches to iconography and iconology, in Mesoamerican and Andean art. Develop skills in reading architectural plans.
    2. Assess some of the major contributions of and changes in Pre-Columbian archaeology from the nineteenth century to contemporary times. Briefly introduce key players in the field, origin of important theories and competitive approaches.
    3. Evaluate important changes in the study and understanding of Maya epigraphy. Analyze the relationship between reading Maya glyphs, deciphering Maya iconography and recognizing dynasties in power through recent art historical and archaeological interpretations.
    4. Explore recent advancements in technology used in studying art at archaeological sites.
    5. Investigate how anthropologists and geographers have described indigenous arts and cultures from diverse points of view including gender relations expressed in art, impact of tourism upon recent art and artistic revivals, and importance of linguistic and demographic studies to understanding the region.
    6. Analyze the history of museum collecting and exhibiting Mesoamerican and Andean art and critically assess how this history has changed and how it reflects changing attitudes non-indigenous scholars and collectors have towards indigenous peoples. Review recent cases of repatriation and discuss international relations and regulations involving Pre-Columbian art.
  2. Examine major artistic traditions from each culture area in light of religious, cultural, social, economic and political contexts.
    1. The Olmecs
      1. Iconography of the "Were-jaguar" in sculpture
      2. Colossal heads and theories of function, iconography
      3. Important archaeological sites - La Venta, San Lorenzo
    2. The Late Formative
      1. Discussion of terminology - Formative versus Classic, Post-Classic.
      2. General explanation of calendrical systems and epigraphy
      3. Introduction of ball court
      4. Maya region - Discussion of sites such as El Mirador, Nakbe
      5. Monte Alban and Zapotec culture
      6. West Mexico - Colima, Nayarit and Jalisco styles - include discussion of stylistic influences upon recent 20th-century Mexican art.
    3. Teotihuacan - Late Formative, Classic
      1. Changing theories and interpretations, recent archaeological work at site.
      2. Talud - Tablero construction as a contribution to world architecture
      3. Function of architectural plan
      4. Mural painting and sculpture
    4. Classic period - major architectural achievements, painting and sculpture
      1. Monte Alban
      2. Early Classic Maya - Tikal, Uaxactun, wall paintings of Rio Azul
      3. Maya ceremonialism- Explore iconography of the royal elite, ceremony and mythology
      4. Late Classic Maya - Copan, Palenque, Yaxchilan, wall paintings of Bonampak
      5. Yucatan Maya - Puuc region, Jaina Island
    5. Postclassic period
      1. Huastec arts
      2. Toltec arts - Tula
      3. Chichen Itza
    6. Mexica - Aztec Empire
      1. Architecture and city planning
      2. Sculpture
      3. Codices
      4. Other arts - gold work, feather arts, lapidiary work, ceramics
    7. Central Andean region
      1. Chavin de Huantar - Chavin style
      2. Textiles of Paracas
      3. Tiahuanaco and Huari - architecture, sculpture, textiles
      4. Moche ceramics
      5. Chimu arts and architecture - Chanchan
    8. Incas
      1. Cuzco - contributions in architecture
      2. Machu Picchu
      3. Gold and silver work, feather arts, weaving and other arts
      4. Recent archaeological finds and changing views on Inca culture
    9. Indigenous arts during the early Colonial period
      1. Early Colonial documents as sources
      2. Destruction of indigenous arts and cultures
      3. Continuity of indigenous arts within Roman Catholic Church liturgy, architecture, and under missionary patronage.
    10. Recent art history of Mesoamerica and the Andean region
      1. 19th-century photos as sources on indigenous arts and cultures
      2. Appropriation of indigenous arts by 20th-century Mexican, European, and American artists, such as recent uses by Mexican-American artists as part of the Chicano Movement.
      3. Impact of tourism upon the production of arts in the contemporary period
      4. Use of archaeological sites by Maya communities today, such as use by the Pan-Maya revival movement.
      5. Importance of weaving, ceramics and other arts in contemporary indigenous cultures.
  3. Develop research and writing skills, analyzing both ancient and recent art forms and exploring connections between art and indigenous societies.
    1. Explore diverse primary sources used in researching Mesoamerican and Andean art such as archaeological site plans, historic photographs and drawings, colonial documents and journals.
    2. Use examples of art and analyze methods of exhibition design from a museum visit in researching and writing paper assignments.
  4. Explore the origin and history of artistic traditions, examining stylistic characteristics through visual analysis and determining how historical and cultural changes are reflected by style and technique.
    1. Evaluate different theories and interpretations of the origin of certain artistic traditions, use of subject matter (iconography), materials and the development of techniques.
    2. Apply skills in visual analysis to recognize stylistic characteristics of specific cultures, time periods and regions.
    3. Analyze ways style or visual detail can reveal insight into historic and cultural change as well as the cultural diversity of the region.
  5. Compare and contrast the development of artistic traditions within the regions of Mesoamerica and the Andes and recognize influences and cultural exchanges.
    1. Examine patterns of cultural exchange between areas within Mesoamerica and the Andean region, including the role of commerce, migration and the rise of political hegemony of certain dynasties of rulers.
    2. Compare and contrast similarities and differences in materials and techniques, function including ceremonial and social context, position, gender and status of artist and relationship of artist to patron.
    3. Recognize how cultures influence other cultures in the production and use of art, including the continuity of art traditions of earlier civilizations.
  6. Assess the impact of European contact upon indigenous cultures and both the maintenance and change in artistic traditions in the post-contact period.
    1. Critically evaluate the impact of colonialism, especially the destruction of art work and cultural resources, upon the region. Analyze the destructive changes in demographics, labor and land exploitation, indigenous religious practice resulting from missionary activity after European contact.
    2. Explore how art changed during the Colonial period, the definition and value of the term "syncretism" (blending of artistic traditions or cultures), and how some aspects of culture were maintained despite formidable odds.
    3. Evaluate the term "tradition" and acknowledge new traditions and creative innovation after contact with Europeans. Recognize indigenous cultures are active and dynamic art producers today.
  7. Compare and contrast Mesoamerican and Andean indigenous arts to other world art and architectural traditions, acknowledging contributions and cultural exchanges.
    1. Explore and evaluate recent theories regarding possible cultural exchanges with Africa, Asia, especially China, and with Oceania.
    2. Acknowledge the artistic, architectural and technical contributions of the region to indigenous North America and to Europe after contact.
    3. Recognize exchanges, both negative and positive, cultures of the Mesoamerican and the Andean region experienced with Europe after contact and through Europe with other parts of the world.
  8. Evaluate ethical issues regarding the collecting and exhibiting of indigenous arts of the Americas, the role of the international art market, the impact of tourism and the appropriation of indigenous cultures by the tourism industry.
    1. Introduce a brief history of how collecting by non-indigenous collectors began in the region, origin of major museum acquisitions, evaluate arguments for or against repatriation (return of objects), and introduce recent examples of repatriation.
    2. Evaluate how non-indigenous audiences have responded to exhibitions of Mesoamerican and Andean indigenous arts, including popular appeal of "primitivism" and "lost"civilizations.
    3. Assess the role of the international art market in the ethics of removing cultural artifacts and art from countries of origin and the role of UNESCO in preservation of archaeological monuments. Critically evaluate the history of looting and destruction of cultural patrimony for Mexico and other countries in the region of study.
    4. Explore the impact of tourism on indigenous arts, looking at how tourism effects archaeological studies and sites, contemporary artists and their production, and how modern nations, such as Mexico and Guatemala, use indigenous art and culture to expand and enhance the tourist industry.
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