The study of African art history is taught as part of the cirriculum of the School of Art. The School of Fine Art's B.F.A. and M.F.A degrees are based upon a strong Studio Foundations program, which is intended to provide a basis for critical thinking. Studio skills, theory, criticism and the history of art are important components of the Foundations program. A major in art history includes an emphasis in the liberal arts, which fulfills university requirements. The study of the arts of Africa, South America, and other non-Western cultures adds a rich diversity to both the graduate and undergraduate academic experience and connects students to the world at large.

However, African art history normally considers just a small portion of the creative output of African peoples. Music, dance and literature must also be considered. The African Studies Program at Ohio University, designated a Title VI National Resource Center for Africa, provides students, scholars and members of the broader community with an umbrella under which to develop a better understanding of this important world region. Facilities for research and language instruction, as well as formal degree studies are available through the program. Graduatelevel African art history courses count as Core credit towards the African Studies degree. Students may earn a Master of Arts in International Affairs (MAIA) degree with a major in African Studies through the Center for International Studies.

Undergraduate Courses

332 West African Art (4) Prereq: jr or perm.

A survey of the traditional art of Sub-Saharan Africa from the Western Sudan to Cameroon. Treated are stylistic classifications, archaeology, historical interactions and the visual art traditions, including sculpture, ceramics, textiles, and architecture, of the savanna and forest zones.

 

433 Central African Art (4) Prereq: jr or perm.

A survey of the traditional art of Sub-Saharan Africa from the the Cameroons to Zaire, Angola, Zambia and beyond. Treated are stylistic classifications, archaeology, historical interactions, and the visual art traditions, including sculpture, ceramics, textiles and architecture of the region.

 

497 Independent Study: Projects* (1-5, max 5) Prereq: Art history major, sr, and perm.

Projects, ideas, or explorations that cannot reasonably be made within regular course structures. Requires permission of faculty member prior to registration. Credit as non art history elective only.

 

498 Independent Study: Reading * (1-5, max 5) Prereq: Art history major, sr,and perm.

Reading and research in art history. Requires permission of faculty member prior to registration. Credit as non art history elective only.

 

FA Graduate Courses page (under construction)

532 West African Art (4)

A survey of the traditional art of Sub-Saharan Africa from the Western Sudan to Cameroon. Treated are stylistic classifications, archaeology, historical interactions and the visual art traditions, including sculpture, ceramics, textiles, and architecture, of the savanna and forest zones.

532A Specials Topics in African Art

 

533 Central African Art (4)

A survey of the traditional art of Sub-Saharan Africa from the the Cameroons to Zaire, Angola, Zambia and beyond. Treated are stylistic classifications, archaeology, historical interactions and the visual art traditions, including sculpture, ceramics, textiles, and architecture of the region.