SOAS-Alphawood Postgraduate Certificate in Asian Art

Analysing and Exploring the Arts offers you bespoke and supportive training in object-based art history. Half of the course presents focused case studies on real-world applications of the approaches explored in our programme. Lectures and seminars exploring real-world case studies include how and why we catalogue objects; curation, interpretation and access in museums; cataloguing and curating in commercial contexts; arts Journalism; and collaborating with living artists. The other half offers supportive training tailored to the skills developed in your main modules. Lectures and seminars supporting skills in art history focus on preparing and planning for your object analyses, essays, and exams, reflecting and acting on feedback, and expressing focused and clear academic arguments in your writing and presentations.

Analysing and Exploring the Arts offers you bespoke and supportive training in object-based art history. Half of the course presents focused case studies on real-world applications of the approaches explored in our programme. Lectures and seminars exploring real-world case studies include how and why we catalogue objects; curation, interpretation and access in museums; cataloguing and curating in commercial contexts; arts Journalism; and collaborating with living artists. The other half offers supportive training tailored to the skills developed in your main modules. Lectures and seminars supporting skills in art history focus on preparing and planning for your object analyses, essays, and exams, reflecting and acting on feedback, and expressing focused and clear academic arguments in your writing and presentations.

Analysing and Exploring the Arts offers you bespoke and supportive training in object-based art history. Half of the course presents focused case studies on real-world applications of the approaches explored in our programme. Lectures and seminars exploring real-world case studies include how and why we catalogue objects; curation, interpretation and access in museums; cataloguing and curating in commercial contexts; arts Journalism; and collaborating with living artists. The other half offers supportive training tailored to the skills developed in your main modules. Lectures and seminars supporting skills in art history focus on preparing and planning for your object analyses, essays, and exams, reflecting and acting on feedback, and expressing focused and clear academic arguments in your writing and presentations.

The Independent Study Project in Asian Art History allows you to develop a focused project on a single topic in Asian Art history. You will consolidate the skills and approaches you have developed throughout your programme, by applying them to a single output.

The Independent Study Project in Asian Art History allows you to develop a focused project on a single topic in Asian Art history. You will consolidate the skills and approaches you have developed throughout your programme, by applying them to a single output.

The Independent Study Project in Asian Art History allows you to develop a focused project on a single topic in Asian Art history. You will consolidate the skills and approaches you have developed throughout your programme, by applying them to a single output.

This module examines the Arts of Japan and Korea in relation to religious, historical, and social contexts. The course follows a broad chronological progression from pre-history to contemporary, with the first few weeks focusing primarily on religious art and architecture of ancient to medieval eras when the links between Japan and Korea were particularly strong. While the major part of the course is dedicated to Japan, the study of Korean art is integrated into the course in order to compare and contrast the cultural differences of the two countries. The relationship with China is also considered in a larger East Asian context of transmission of ideas and trade.

From 2500 BCE to the present day, the Arts of India module explores the monumental, fine and decorative arts of South Asia. The course deals with architecture, sculpture, miniature painting, carved jades, carpets, textiles, furniture, jewellery, arms and armour, and the rural arts. The syllabus is broadly chronological and places the art in its religious and historical context. The course begins with an introduction to the Vedas, Buddhism, Jainism and Hinduism focusing on early Jain and Buddhist art and the principles of Hindu iconography, architecture, sculpture and wall painting. It emphasises the relationship between ritual and image in the study of medieval Hindu sculpture and architecture.

The Arts of China module examines the material and visual cultures of China from the Neolithic period to the 21st century. The course covers developments in metalwork, jade, lacquer, ceramics, painting, calligraphy, sculpture, and textiles. Lectures on history, religion, philosophy and literature provide a contextual framework for understanding these developments. The course also considers the importance of patronage (imperial, elite, and popular), the impact of systems of belief (Confucianism, Buddhism, Daoism), and the role played by changes in the lives and social roles of artists. Technology and design approaches as well as the impact of interaction between China and the outside world are among the topics considered.

The course provides the religious, historical and geographical context for the spread of Buddhism and Buddhist art from Northern India to Central, East and Southeast Asia.. The course begins with a brief overview of the life and philosophy of the Buddha and considers the earliest Indian Buddhist images. We then trace the movement of Buddhist images across the mountains and deserts of the Silk Road to China. It brings together the Buddhist art in Tang China that was to be so influential in Korea and Japan and later in Southeast Asia, Vietnam, Java & Cambodia.

This module will provide students with foundational training in art history at a postgraduate level, strengthening and consolidating their abilities and confidence. The first half of the module addresses a range of analytical approaches to the varied Art Histories of Asia. We will analyse how narratives of art history are shaped and written, explore distinct approaches to reading visual and material evidence, consider relationships between archaeology and art history, and examine the interrelationship of architecture and sculpture. The second half of the course examines thematic topics, building on the methods and approaches covered in the first half of the module. Topics covered include religion and belief, gender, modernity,collection history, and curation and display.