Pre-Columbian Art History

Pre-Columbian Art History

I. LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION:
This course will be taught in Spanish 

III. CONTACT HOURS:
The course will consist of 45 teaching hours

IV. GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION AND COURSE OBJECTIVES:
This course provides a comprehensive survey of the main artistic and iconographic manifestations of Pre-Columbian peoples of South and Mesoamerica, with a main focus on the Andean region. Throughout the course, we will explore how western categories and approaches to “Art” may prove inadequate to account for Native American conceptualizations and experiences related to materiality, the role of the image, and the built environment. Similarly, we will endeavor to contextualize the art and architecture of Pre- Hispanic peoples within the broader socio-cultural framework of the societies that created it.Thus, we will explore the cosmologies, social structure, historical circumstances, material culture, etc. within which the production of art took place.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:
- Introduce the students to the art and material culture of the Pre-Columbian peoples of South and Mesoamerica.
- Facilitate an understanding of the cultural logics that guided the production of art among Pre-Columbian peoples.
- Provide the students with analytical tools to critically assess the contents of the course.
- Spread an interest in this class and engage the students in its dynamics.

VI. REQUIRED READINGS.
The textbook required for this class is Rebecca Stone-Miller's “Art of the Andes: from Chavín to Inca” (Thames & Hudson, 1996).

*SAMPLE* VII. COURSE CALENDAR:

1
Introduction to Pre-Columbian art
Mesoamerica: Teotihuacan, The Olmecs and the Zapotecs
2 
Mesoamerica: The Aztecs and the Mayas
3 
Introduction to the Andes.The Preceramic Period
Caral
4 
The Initial Period: Kotosh, Cerro Sechin
Chavin de Huantar
5 
Paracas
Nazca
6 
Extra-academic activity
7 
The Early intermediate Period: The Moche
The Middle Horizon: The Wari
8 
The Middle Horizon: Tiwanaku
The Late Intermediate Period: The Chimú, Pachacamac
9 
Inca architecture and the sacred landscape; terraces, fountains and canals;stonework and construction techniques; Building typologies (kanchas, palaces, temples, plazas, tambos, ushnus); urban planning
The city of Cuzco and its architecture
10 
Qhapac Ñan or the Inca road system
The architecture of the Sacred Valley: Royal Estates and design principles
Inca stone-carving
11 
Textile Textiles, tocapus and Inca visual language
Inca art during colonial times
12/13 
Final presentations and final exam

VIII. EVALUATION CRITERIA:
Attendance and assignments 20%
Final paper and presentation 40%
Final exam 40%

IX. ATTENDANCE POLICY:
Attendance requirements for this class follow the ISA-Cusco Handbook.

X. FINAL PAPER AND PRESENTATION:
For the final paper the student will choose a class-related topic of their interest, in consultation with the instructor. On week four the student must turn in a proposed topic and a list of references. The papers should not exceed twelve (12) pages or be shorter than ten (10) pages, excluding references, images or tables. They should be typed in Times New Roman, 12-point font, and double-spaced.

Late papers will not be accepted except in cases of unforeseeable emergencies.

The final presentation will be based on the student’s final paper and will be focused on the analysis of his/her research. Students may use Power-point or any other media approved by the professor. Presentations will not exceed 15 minutes and will not be shorter than 10 minutes.

XI. EXAM:
The final exam will be administered during class time on the date noted in the class schedule. The exam will review the entire course and will be graded out of 100%. Rescheduling of exams will not be accepted except in cases of documented unforeseeable emergencies. Traveling and fieldwork do not qualify as such, so, please, plan accordingly.

XII. ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT:
Plagiarism is an unquestionable violation of the academic integrity that every college student should be committed to. Papers that present clear evidence of plagiarism will automatically earn and “F”, and in most cases will represent a final failing grade.