This course aims to facilitate the development of critical and analytical understanding of visual cultures which are normally associated with what is collectively known as ‘Asia'.

We will be examining how ‘Asia' has been imagined and represented from a historical perspective and see how certain elements of such discourse and representation continue in the present. Moving between and beyond Asian countries, the course aims to explore the impact of transnationalism on visual cultures in the contemporary world, drawing on anthropological, sociological and art historical scholarship. Topics may include popular visual culture, modern and contemporary art as well as word and image relationships.

Key course topics:

• Visual representation of Asia in the historical context
• Gender, Exotism and Orientalism
• Word & image in Asian visual culture: contemporary calligraphy of East Asia
• Word & image interactions: scrolls, manga and popular visual culture
• An anthropological approach to art of ‘others'
• Contemporary Asian art
• "Modernity" and Asian visual culture
• Visual culture, location and migration

Course aims:

Specific course aims will be formulated prior to the commencement of each teaching period. The specified course aims will be consistent with and contribute to the Liberal Arts program aims, so it may be said that on having successfully completed an intensive study of a particular theme in Visual Culture Research, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Synthesise and articulate key concepts in the various disciplines that contribute to the field of visual culture research, and demonstrate effective interdisciplinary thinking.

2. Apply methodological, conceptual and analytic tools to advanced level research into  visual culture research.

3. Utilize a range of visual practices and techniques required for professional contexts in the cultural and anthropological sectors, including effective written or verbal communication appropriate to audience and context.

4. Model best practice and have a commitment to ethical, reflective practice in visual studies.

Learning outcomes:

As with course aims, specific skills objectives will be formulated prior to the commencement of each teaching period in consultation between the lecturer and program convener to ensure that they are most suited to the particular theme of enquiry that is presented within the course. They will be consistent with and contribute to the student skills objectives of the Liberal Arts program and will aims to develop:

1.     skills in written and verbal expression for a variety of relevant academic and / or professional purposes.

2.     skills in interdisciplinary thinking and the ability to apply theoretical ideas to case studies developed from personal observation.

3.     skills required for humanities research work. This includes data-collection, analysis, and verbal and written presentation at the standard of a postgraduate degree.

4.     an understanding and a basic set of the skills, standards and protocols required for working in and with the cultural sector.

One 1,500 word essay (30%), one 4000 word essay (50%), class presentation (10%) and class participation (10%). 

Courses offered from the Liberal Arts program, specifically the Visual Culture Research sub-plan.

Jan Mrázek and Morgan Pitelka (eds.). 2007. What's the Use of Art?: Asian Visual and Material culture in Context. Honolulu: The University of Hawaii Press.