EAST 334 - Ecocritical Approach to Chinese Art

FC ARHU CD

4 credits
Ecocriticism provides a critical and interdisciplinary approach to examining interconnection between human beings and the environment. The course will focus on how we use this approach to analyze ecological aspects of Chinese art, which have recently begun to be highlighted. How does an ecocritical methodology make us critical of anthropocentric conceptions embedded in artworks? How “interdisciplinary” is it? What are advantages of using it to interpret artistic expressions of ecological thinking and environmental concerns? Specific topics will include zoomorphic representations, environmental history of Buddhist caves, and artistic responses to the impact of the Little Ice Age.

Prerequisites: one 200-level course in ARTH.

This course is cross-listed with ARTH-334