AH3135 Palm Leaf, Poem, and Portrait: the art of painting in India

Academic year

2024 to 2025 Semester 1

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

30

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 9

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Planned timetable

TBC

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Dr B S Gulkis

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Dr Bronwen Gulkis

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

The Indian subcontinent is home to a rich variety of painting traditions, ranging from murals to illuminated manuscripts to devotional images. This module offers an introduction to the history of painting in India from the 10th through the 20th century. By using case studies from the major religious traditions and courts of India, this survey will explore the diversity of painting in South Asia and address its cultural and historical context. Students will encounter Buddhist palm-leaf manuscripts, sumptuously illuminated poems and stories, portraits of emperors and kings, and watercolour natural history studies. Drawing on a range of methodological and critical approaches, we will move beyond the field’s traditional emphasis on style and patronage to develop questions about forms of artistic knowledge. Topics covered include the role of the artist, the impact of cross-cultural interactions, and alternative approaches to modes of depiction such as naturalism or portraiture.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST ( TAKE AH1001 OR TAKE AH1003 ) AND TAKE AH2001 AND TAKE AH2002

Assessment pattern

Coursework - 100%

Re-assessment

Coursework - 100%

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

1h lecture (10 weeks), 2h seminar (x10 weeks), 1 office hour (x11 weeks), plus field trip

Scheduled learning hours

42

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

252

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

Intended learning outcomes

  • Describe and identify key South Asian works of art, artists, and styles from the tenth to twentieth century
  • Understand the artistic processes and materials involved in the major painting traditions of South Asia
  • Systematically analyse the relationship between South Asian painting and major cultural, historical, and literary movements
  • Convey their ideas to others through clear written analysis, group discussions, and presentations
  • Engage critically with historiographical and methodological issues involved in the analysis of artworks