Writing Assignment

ARS 473/574

Art of Japan

Fall 2015

C. Brown

Course Requirement: Writing Assignment

Three options

(1) Research Paper: Students can fulfill the writing assignment required for ARS 473 by researching one of the following topics and writing a short paper (4-5 pages, double-spaced). An alternate topic may be chosen but must be approved by the instructor. Papers must be typed and fully documented with complete (and standard) notes and bibliography. Plagiarism will not be tolerated. A preliminary bibliography should be turned in by October 8. Please be sure to include books from the course bibliography as well as additional sources. Internet sources should be used with discretion. All papers are due November 17. Late papers will be graded down accordingly.

Suggested topics:

Bronzes of the Kofun Period

Shintō Architecture

Sources of Early Japanese Buddhist Sculpture

Chōjū-giga

The Tale of Genji Scroll

The “Japanization” of Monochrome Ink Painting

Sesshū's Splashed Ink Landscape

Images of Bodhidharma (Daruma) in Kamakura and Muromachi Painting

The Collaboration of Sōtatsu and Kōetsu

European Elements in Japanese Art of the Edo Period

Textile Designs of the Rimpa School

Japanese Prints and Kabuki Theater

Traditional Elements in Modern Japanese Architecture

Topics must be approved and preliminary bibliographies submitted by October 8.

Papers are due November 17.

(2) Reviews: In place of the research paper described above, students in ARS 473 may write three reviews relating to Japanese art (due November 17). These may be book reviews, exhibition reviews or film reviews. Each review must be one-and-a-half to two pages (350-500 words), typed and double-spaced. The exhibitions and films must be chosen in consultation with the instructor. Books must be selected from the starred titles on the list of books on reserve for the class; students must confirm choices with the instructor by October 8.

(3) Phoenix Art Museum option: ARS 473 students may fulfill the required writing assignment by choosing an object of Japanese art on view in the Phoenix Art Museum (or the ASU Art Museum), conducting research about it and writing a paper (4- 5 pages as above), including (1) a full description and visual analysis of the work; (2) a discussion of the work based on outside sources, primarily books and journal articles found in Hayden or other libraries; (3) a comparison of the work to one or more published examples. You must submit the title and accession number of the work and the visual analysis section of your paper by October 8. Papers must be typed and fully documented with complete (and standard) notes and bibliography. Plagiarism will not be tolerated. Please be sure to include books from the "reserve" list as well as additional sources. Internet sources should be used with discretion. All papers are due November 17. Late papers will be graded down accordingly.

Students in ARS 574 must submit a research paper of 8-10 pages, on a topic agreed upon with the instructor.