Instructions
Before beginning this writing assignment, make sure you have completed Module 5, including all the readings and videos.

Topic
In this module, we learned about artworks from multiple cultures over time, and although their works often showed wide visual differences, some common themes are evident. 

Choose one artwork we’ve studied from each continent section (Asia, Africa, and the Americas) that share a common theme (ideal bodies, the afterlife, ritual/religion, glorifying the ruler), and compare and contrast these works. You may notice that one artwork may include more than one of these themes. When introducing the works, mention the known title, culture, date, and medium, and use your terms from Modules 1 and 2 to describe how the content of the work is expressed visually.

Grading
This paper will be graded on content, not length. That being said, each writing assignment will be 300 words (this is about one page in Times New Roman, 12 pt, double-spaced), and this minimum word count must be met to earn full points.

This is not a research paper, so you do not need to use any sources outside the course materials. This should be your own work, based on your own observations and your understanding of the material and vocabulary in the module. Do not plagiarize (see the syllabus for more information on this). You can view the rubric for this assignment by clicking on the link.

Select to move across the topic pages within a module.

Topic: Asia, Africa, and the Americas

As we study the work of Asia, Africa, and the Americas, we will jump around a bit in time as we look at work from different cultures. We will continue to notice common themes from the last module, such as idealized bodies, funerary and tomb art, art that glorifies the ruler, religious art, art that deals with lineage, and art used in ritual. Often you will notice that these themes can overlap in one artwork. Because the cultures and value systems may differ from what we’ve looked at before, these concepts will be visually represented differently, but it’s exciting to notice that humans from all over the world in different eras have the same concerns!

Think of the following readings and videos as your textbook and lectures. Take notes as you work through each link, identifying important points and essential concepts. Use this information to answer questions in your self-study guide, which will help you prepare for the module test. The following readings and videos are listed below, with contextual information that will help tie these various sources together. You can find the links to the actual materials in the Readings and Videos page for this module, but before you start, this overview will help you get the most out of your study time. 

Asia

• A Buddha from Mathura: Buddhism originated in India in the 5th century BCE and spread throughout Asia and was based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama. He was a prince who, when he left the palace as a young man, witnessed poverty and suffering for the first time and was moved to leave his royal life behind and search for liberation from suffering (nirvana). He gave up his earthly possessions and lived a modest life of meditation, and when he achieved enlightenment, he became the Buddha (The Enlightened One). This reading will give you a look at some early Buddhist sculptures and architecture in India.

• Shiva as Lord of the Dance (Nataraja): The next artwork we will study from India was created in the 11th century, but the subject is from perhaps the oldest living religion – Hinduism. Read to learn about Shiva’s role in Hindu philosophy and how this sculpture’s symbolism and function meet cultural needs.
• The Taj Mahal: This white marble monument is an unforgettable example of Muslim art in India. This article includes information about its function, history, and the steps taken to assure its future.
• The Terracotta Army of Emperor Qin Shi Huangdi: Moving on to China, the first work we will see is the slightly larger than life-sized terracotta warriors from the mounded tomb of the first emperor. Like in some of the Western cultures we’ve already studied, at this time in China, furnished tombs were important to ensure a comfortable afterlife. This tomb is extraordinary because of the sheer number of these large sculptures and the qualities they possess, as you will read about in this article.
• Zheng Sixiao, Ink Orchid: Jumping forward in time to the 14th century, let’s view an example of Chinese ink painting. At first glance, it may just look like a simple and beautiful image of a plant, but there is more content hidden beneath the surface, as you will discover in your reading. You will notice that, although visually, images like this differ widely from Western painting at the time, both symbolically express important concepts.
• Angkor Wat: Located in Cambodia, Angkor Wat is the largest religious monument in the world! Built in the 12th century, this temple complex includes the famous bas relief, the Churning of the Ocean of Milk.
• Night Attack on the Sanjô Palace: This 13th-century Japanese war epic shows painting in a way we’ve never seen before. At over 25 feet long, viewing this handscroll bit by bit was an intimate experience – in many ways like a graphic novel!
• Ryōanji (Peaceful Dragon Temple): Our last stop in Japan (and Asia) until the modern period brings us to this famous Zen rock garden. Although this is quite different from some of the other art forms we’ve studied, it can also be described in terms of the elements and principles of art, just as much as any sculpture or painting. 

Africa

• Architecture of the Sub-Saharan Civilizations: We begin our exploration of African art with a look at some historically significant architecture across the continent. The Great Mosque of Djenné in Mali (Western Africa), the churches of the holy city of Lalibela, Ethiopia (Eastern Africa), and Great Zimbabwe (Southern Africa) are all great achievements in their own unique style of architecture, and by learning about the materials, processes, and concepts behind these structures, we gain more understanding about the cultures that created them.
• Ife Uncovered: These 17 brass heads found in Ife (Nigeria) are relics from an era in Yoruba culture where not much is known. These valuable artworks include familiar symbols and values, and their unexpected stylistic qualities add to the rich tapestry that is African art.  
• Benin plaque: Equestrian Oba and Attendants: This brass artwork from the Benin empire (Edo peoples) in what is now Nigeria is part of a much larger series that depicts the lineage of their kings. Read to learn more about their culture, artistic style, and the issues concerning the events that led to the present-day ownership of these plaques.
• Kente cloth: This West African cloth is not just a beautiful symbol of African culture – it is full of history and complex symbolism. Read more about its origins and how it is used today.
• Power Figure (Nkisi Nkondi), Kongo peoples: Although we’ve seen some examples of artworks with ritual functions, this sculpture’s physical form is altered as it is used. Here you will see an important relationship between the ritual specialist, artist, and the community. Read and watch to learn more about these spiritually powerful works from central Africa.
• Mask (Kanaga) – Dogon peoples: This mask from Mali (Western Africa) is another example of an artwork that loses much of its meaning if divorced from its function. The ritual dance performed while wearing the mask is integral to the work. Click on the last link at the end of the article to get a glimpse of a dama dance in action.

The Americas

• North American Art: In this article, you’ll find an overview of the native art of North America, including some art forms we haven’t yet studied!
• Maya: The Yaxchilán Lintels: Moving further south, next we’ll be studying the art of the ancient Maya. At their peak, their empire extended through much of Mesoamerica. These relief sculptures from a major Maya center in Mexico give us great insight into the rituals and beliefs of this ancient culture.
• Coatlicue: Later in Mexico, we get a glimpse of Aztec culture – a complex society with intricate mythologies, as we can see now through their art. This sculpture illustrates aspects of the story of the goddess Coatlicue through powerful symbols.
• The Moche Royal Tombs of Sipán: Before the Inka, the Moche civilization flourished in Peru. The discovery of this royal tomb helped us gain more understanding of this rich culture.
• Machu Picchu: Our last stop takes us to this famous example of Inka architecture. Learn more about the function of this building and what structures are included in the compound.