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 topics such as: 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 plan for your object analyses, essays, and exams; reflecting and acting on feedback, and on 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 topics such as: 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 on 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 topics such as: 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 plan for your object analyses, essays, and exams; reflecting and acting on feedback, and on expressing focused and clear academic arguments in your writing and presentations.

This module is an intensive two-week immersion in object based study of Asian art run during SOAS Summer School. You will explore a range of objects and artworks in situ in the British Museum, Victoria and Albert Museum, meeting with the curators who care for these collections. The course is built around eight focused case studies, each consisting of a lecture, seminar, and related gallery or reserve collection visit.

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. Your output can be an essay (3000 words), an exhibition proposal with selected object catalogue entries (3000 words), an extended presentation (30 mins), or a guided tour of a museum gallery (30 mins). You will work with a supervisor to select a topic, develop a formative proposal, select and appraise appropriate sources, and research and deliver your final output. This is an opportunity for you to pursue a singular, focused passion, communicating and consolidating your understanding, passion and critical engagement with the content of the Postgraduate Diploma in Asian Art History programme.

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. Your output can be an essay (3000 words), an exhibition proposal with selected object catalogue entries (3000 words), an extended presentation (30 mins), or a guided tour of a museum gallery (30 mins). You will work with a supervisor to select a topic, develop a formative proposal, select and appraise appropriate sources, and research and deliver your final output. This is an opportunity for you to pursue a singular, focused passion, communicating and consolidating your understanding, passion and critical engagement with the content of the Postgraduate Diploma in Asian Art History programme.

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. Your output can be an essay (3000 words), an exhibition proposal with selected object catalogue entries (3000 words), an extended presentation (30 mins), or a guided tour of a museum gallery (30 mins). You will work with a supervisor to select a topic, develop a formative proposal, select and appraise appropriate sources, and research and deliver your final output. This is an opportunity for you to pursue a singular, focused passion, communicating and consolidating your understanding, passion and critical engagement with the content of the Postgraduate Diploma in Asian Art History programme.

This module is an intensive two-week immersion in object based study of Asian art run during SOAS Summer School. You will explore a range of objects and artworks in situ in the British Museum, Victoria and Albert Museum, meeting with the curators who care for these collections. The course is built around eight focused case studies, each consisting of a lecture, seminar, and related gallery or reserve collection visit.

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.The second part of the course examines secular traditions of painting, and a wide variety of decorative arts such as ceramics, lacquer, and textiles. The study of innovative modern and contemporary art, architecture and design towards the end of the course will encourage students to gain a sound understanding of both continuation and evolution of aesthetic ideas.

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. Lectures cover Buddhist, Jain and Hindu manuscript painting. The course includes Tibetan and Himalayan sculpture and painting. The latter half of the term will explore Mughal and Rajput court art from the 16th century. It will give particular emphasis to miniature painting and jewellery. Terracottas, textiles and other rural arts will also be covered and there will be lectures on modern and contemporary South Asian art.

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 Arts of the Buddhist world introduces you to the religious, historical and geographic context for the spread of Buddhism and Buddhist art across Asia: from Buddhism’s origins two and a half millennia ago in Northern India, to its current status as a global religion. The course begins with a brief overview of the life and teachings of the Buddha and considers the earliest Buddhist images in South Asia. We then trace the movement of Buddhist images, ideas and beliefs across the deserts and mountains of Central Asia into China. Exploring the adaptations and developments of Buddhism in China, we go on to examine how these iterations of Buddhist art and culture acted as a catalyst for subsequent developments; first in Korea and Japan, and later in Southeast Asia, Vietnam, Java and Cambodia. The course also explores how Esoteric Buddhism reached its apogee in Tibet and Theravadin Buddhism engendered distinctive forms of Buddhist art in Burma, Thailand and 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. The module will include four professionally filmed pre-recorded virtual visits to the galleries and reserve collections of the British Museum and Victoria and Albert Museum. These will be followed by synchronous one hour curator Q&A sessions.

This module introduces you to the curation of Asian art, and visual and material culture. You will explore a diverse range of contexts in which Asian art is curated: from museums, to monuments, to commercial and private spaces.

Each week you explore a distinct theme or topic connected to curation and museology. These themes link your programme of study to current discussions and debates shaping curatorial practice and museological scholarship today. Each weekly theme is supported by carefully selected case studies, drawing on the diverse areas covered in the SOAS-Alphawood Postgraduate Diploma in Asian Art: South Asia, China, Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia, the Islamic World, and the Buddhist World. These case studies are delivered by a wide range of SOAS faculty and guest speakers, exposing you to a unique range of perspectives from across the museum, university and commercial arts sectors.

You will engage in practical, reflective assignments, with options to select projects and case studies that are relevant to your interests, aspirations, and the collections and institutions you have access to locally.

Curating Asian Art offers an in-depth introduction to curatorial and museum practice today. You will reflect on past and present curation of Asian art, while also developing skills and knowledge that will equip you to help shape the future of Asian Art’s curation.

This module covers the art of mainland and maritime Southeast Asia from prehistoric times to the present day, with a strong focus on pre-modern Hindu-Buddhist material. A wide range of art objects are considered from the ethnographical to the classical and monumental arts of Buddhism, Hinduism and Islam. Art historical, archaeological and ethnographic interpretations are presented side by side so that this inter-disciplinary approach enhances students’ understanding of the vast artistic heritage of the region.