Registration for Fall 2026 courses opens on April 17, 2026.

What can you do while you wait? Complete the Remind Me Form to be notified when the course you are interested in opens for enrollment.

About ARTH 2602 OL1

A study of selected examples of recent and current art and/or architecture, with a focus on the diversity of human experience. Material emphasis and geographical focus will vary with instructor. Representative topics: East Asian Art's Dialogue with Traditions. May repeat for credit with different content. Topics vary by offering; periodic offering at intervals that may exceed four years. Prerequisite: ARTH 1018, ARTH 1420, FTS 1420, or FTS 1430.

Notes

Prereqs enforced by the system: ARTH 1018 or 1420 or FTS 1430 Asynchronous online

Section Description

This course will explore contemporary East Asian art within a global context. We will analyze and discuss works by major contemporary East Asian artists, including those from China, Korea, Japan, and East Asian artists in the diaspora. The course will delve into various critical issues such as art activism, feminism, post-colonialism, border crossing, diaspora, exile, national and cultural identities, racial identities, and globalism. Our exploration of contemporary art from East Asia, specifically China, Korea, and Japan, will adopt a unique chronological approach. Often, the traditions of these regions have been juxtaposed with the modern and contemporary. However, many contemporary East Asian artists incorporate elements from their respective traditions, using them to establish their distinctive presence within the global art scene and marketplace. This act of embracing tradition can be viewed as a form of branding within the global neoliberal society in which we reside. While we will discuss major artists of East Asian descent and their affiliations, we will also study the art history of these regions, spanning from the ancient to the premodern period. During this exploration, we will observe how elements from traditional culture and heritage were integrated into contemporary works, initially perceived as unique cultural and national traits by the artists. The theoretical themes covered in this course will include but are not limited to, identity politics, institutional critique, globalism, postcolonial theories, and abstraction across various media, including performance, installation, video, digital, and internet art. The course will be structured thematically and chronologically, providing a comprehensive overview of cultural theory and incorporating close visual analysis.

Section Expectation

After completing this course, the student will be able to:

recognize, identify, and classify important works of art from the 20th and 21st centuries in East Asian traditions.

recognize and understand contemporary events and monuments in the visual arts of East Asian countries (China, Korea, and Japan) including the ability to interpret meanings, concepts, theories, and collective attitudes embodied in the works discussed.

analyze visual elements (line, shape, value, texture, color, space) and design principles (balance, contrast, movement, economy, and unity) using proper terminology, and improve the ability of critical thinking by interpreting and evaluating the historical significance of artistic creation.

discern and explain different types of evidence, not only visual works of art but also archaeological, art historical, historical, philosophical, journalistic, and literary materials both in class discussion and in writing.

develop effective communication and analytical skills to discuss, compare, and contrast (in a verbal and written format) works of art. This class guides students to develop an effective, persuasive analytical and formal analysis paper.

Evaluation

This course places primary emphasis on encouraging students to think critically, question, and provide responses to both texts and visual images. In-class discussions will center around the weekly readings, and students are anticipated to actively engage by sharing their reactions to these readings through class participation. Moreover, the evaluation components will encompass class participation, two exams—a midterm and a final—as well as a concluding essay. Following each class session, lecture slides will be made available on the class Brightspace platform for reference.

Attendance/Participation/in-class writing (20 %)

Midterm Exam (25%)/ Final Exam (25 %)

Final paper (30 %)

Important Dates

Note: These dates may change before registration begins.

Courses may be cancelled due to low enrollment. Show your interest by enrolling.

Last Day to Add
Last Day to Drop
Last Day to Withdraw with 50% Refund
Last Day to Withdraw with 25% Refund
Last Day to Withdraw

Resources

Remind Me Form

Remind yourself about ARTH 2602 OL1.

We'll send you a reminder before Fall 2026 registration begins.