2017-18 Academic Catalog

This course will survey art from the cultures of ancient Mesoamerica (Olmec, Teotihuacan, Maya, and Aztec), the center of the Americas (Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, and Ecuador), and the central Andes (Chavín, Moche, Paracas, Nasca, Wari/Tiwanaku, Chimú, and Inka). The course will consider a variety of art objects within the contexts of geography and environment, artistic process, socio-political status, sacred space, religion, ritual and performance, and writing. Artistic adaptation to and interactions with traditions coming to the Americas from the East and the West during colonial-era encounters will provide another point of departure.