BA in East Asian Art History

In the BA program, students acquire a broad basic knowledge of artworks from China, Korea and Japan in their respective historical, social and cultural contexts and learn working methods and academic standards for East Asian Art History (intensive course). We deepen this knowledge in seminars and lectures, with a choice of different thematic, historical, genre-specific or theoretical focuses. In exercises and on excursions, we shift gears and work in an applied manner, in direct contact with original artifacts.

East Asian Art History is offered as a minor (60 ECTS) in the Bachelor's program.

For information on booking and canceling courses, please consult the following pages: 

https://www.students.uzh.ch/de/studyadmin/booking.html
https://www.phil.uzh.ch/en/studies/studyessentials/assessments.html

The pageWichtige Dokumente [Important Documents] of the Department of Art History provides further information on planning your studies. See also Bachelor's Degree Documents for documents relevant to the Bachelor's degree programs. Aglossary is available for your orientation. In theGeneral Guidelines for studying at the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, you may find information for your studies that apply to students of all study programs.

Introduction to East Asian Art History [Einführung in die Kunstgeschichte Ostasiens] (06SM642-001)

This course is aimed at beginners with no prior knowledge of East Asian Art History. In this course, we learn about the most important genres and techniques of East Asian art (China, Japan and Korea). The course also focuses on acquiring basic knowledge of iconography in East Asian art through selected representative works.

Using a thematic approach that focuses on the material aspects of art in the region, we will gain an overview of a great variety of artworks. Using selected objects such as paintings, woodblock prints, calligraphy, sculptures, ceramics, lacquer work and architecture, as well as their contemporary interpretations, we will explore the role of culturally specific material conditions in the creation and reception of art. By examining the objects and their interpretations, students develop a fundamental understanding of the paradigms of East Asian art history and thus lay the foundation for further studies in this field.

Propaedeutics in East Asian Art History [Propädeutikum Kunstgeschichte Ostasiens] (06SM642-001)

The “Propaedeutic in East Asian Art History” is a compulsory module for students without prior knowledge of art history of East Asia. The main aim is to familiarize students with the basic practices of art history, with an emphasis on the study of art and visual culture in East Asia, including China, Japan and Korea. The module will provide students with the key research approaches used in analyzing visual objects from the perspective of the academic discipline of East Asian art history. Students will familiarize themselves with research practices such as locating sources and analyzing objects, as well as various forms of scholarly expression in research papers and oral presentations. The course also aims to strengthen students' analytical skills in critical thinking and academic writing––essential tools for the study of art and the communication of research findings.