ARTH 105(F) Tall Tales and Long Scrolls: Visual Narratives of Asia*

From The Simpsons to The Sopranos, from the Godfather to Grand Theft Auto, visual representations of narratives inhabit our daily lives. In this introductory survey, we will examine stories from Asia and their visual forms. We will consider the diverse media, formats, and modes of narration employed in the visual recounting of stories. The narratives to be examined will range from some of the earliest representations of Buddhist tales in India to the pan-Asian manifestations of the Ramayana. Through a series of case studies, we will investigate a number of questions. Why are stories given visual form? How might such visual narratives be "read"? What are some of the possible functions of these stories? How do narratives arise from and interact with their larger religious, political, and historical contexts? Why do certain narratives circulate broadly, and how are such tales visually adapted within new cultural contexts?
Format: lecture. Requirements: In addition to an in-class midterm and a final exam, students will be expected to complete one 3 page paper and one 5- to 7-page paper.
No prerequisites. Enrollment limit: 40 (expected: 40).
Satisfies the non-western requirement.

Hour: BECKER