Buddhist Art as Visual Communication

Subject code ABS933
Lecturer Dr Elizabeth McDougal
Delivery mode Online, live
On campus, live
Duration 10 weeks
Next start date Visit timetable

 

Subject Overview

Buddhism had a globalising effect on the art of Asia, as it spread from the Indian subcontinent to local cultures across the Silk Road and maritime trade routes. Buddhist Art as Visual Communication is a survey of the spread and evolution of Buddhist art. The subject begins by looking at the origins of Buddhist art in the reliquaries and images of the historical Buddha Shakyamuni in South Asia. Further sessions explore visionary cave paintings, iconography of diverse buddhas and bodhisattvas, mandalas, sacred syllables and other localised cultural art forms, including contemporary. The subject pays special attention to the functions of Buddhist art in communicating the Buddha’s life story, verbal and tacit Buddhist meaning, meditation and ritual practices, and in the formation and community dynamics. The subject looks overall at the localised processes of cultural integration that inderlie the global spread of Buddhist art.

 

 

Learning Outcomes

  1. Ability to reflect on and critically analyse the inter-relationships between Buddhist teachings and their visual expressions.
  2. Have an advanced comprehension of Buddhist iconography and symbolism.
  3. Ability to actively listen and dialogue with different perspectives, both in the classroom and in the subject materials.
  4. Development of insight into the function of images within localised Buddhist settings.
  5. Ability to interpret and transmit advanced knowledge of the processes of cultural integration in the global spread of Buddhist art.

 

 

Assessments

  • Assessment 1: Slide tests on iconography and symbolism (20%, during class)
  • Assessment 2: Annotation of Buddhist images (30%, due week 4)
  • Assessment 3: Research report and media presentation (50%, due week 10)

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