Fine and Applied Arts_ PHD PROGRAMME IN ART HISTORY

DEPARTMENT OF FINE AND APPLIED ARTS

Ph.D. PROGRAMME IN ART HISTORY

2015/2016

Ph.D. PROGRAMME IN ART HISTORY

 LIST OF SUPERVISORS

 Professors

Oloidi, Ola

BFA, MA (Howard), Ph.D. (Nig.)                                         Art History/ Art Education

Oyeoku, O.K.

BA (Nig.), PGDE (Jos), MA (ABU), Ph.D. (Nig.)                Ceramics/ Art Education

Reader

Ikwuemesi, C.K.

BA, MFA, Ph.D. (Nig.)                                                          Painting/Art History

Senior Lecturers

Diogu, G.O.

B.A., MFA, Ph.D. (Nig.)                                                        Textiles /Art History

Uka, G.O.

B.A., M.A. (Zaria), Ph.D. (Nig.)                                            Visual Comm. / Art History

Onuora, C.

B.A., MFA, Ph.D. (Nig.)                                                        Sculpture / Art History

Onuzulike, O.

B.A., MFA, Ph.D. (Nig.)                                                        Ceramics / Art History

Okpara, C.V.

B.A., MFA, Ph.D. (Nig.)                                                        Painting / Art Education

Obodo, E.C.

B.A., MFA, Ph.D. (Nig.)                                                        Sculpture/ Art Education

  1. PHILOSOPHY

The PhD course in Art History expands the horizon and vision of the knowledge acquired at the MA level. It combines the theories of historiography and interpretation as tools for engaging past and present issues and trends in art to construct a narrative that give meaning to contemporary art practice and knowledge. A sound knowledge in art history equips the students with knowledge, understanding and skills in the formulation and articulation of art principles, theories and historical projects so that they can function effectively as the vanguard for disseminating information as well as promoting African/Nigerian artistic and cultural heritage in relation to world arts studies and the demands of the global village.

  1. OBJECTIVES

The programme aims expand the student’s vision and to broaden his/her knowledge and perception of issues dealt with at the MA level. The object is to produce world class art historians who can assail the enduring challenges of historiography and art scholarship in Nigeria and Africa. The programme seeks to train individuals read and interpret visual images and art paradigms indices for the study of human civilisation.

  1. SCOPE

The courses and seminars complement the student’s research and the enabling field work. Through selected special readings and explorative enquiry, historical issues in art are documented, analysed and re-presented as contribution to knowledge. Based on international historiographical and critical theories, the PhD in Art History enables the study of civilisation through the evidence and indices embodied in art and visual culture.

  1. ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

           Graduates of the University of Nigeria or of other recognized Universities who obtained the degrees of M.F.A or M.A. degree in Fine and Applied Arts or Art History with a minimum of 3.50 grade point average on a 5- point scale provided satisfactory research formed part of the Master’s degree.

  1. MODE OF STUDY

The programme involves both course work and comprehensive research to be embodied in a thesis. Holders of M.F.A. degrees will be required to take electives to provide them with the necessary background for successful participation in the Ph.D. programme.

  1. DURATION OF PROGRAMME

Full-Time:         2 Calendar years minimum; 5 Calendar years maximum.

Part-Time:         3 Calendar years minimum; 6 Calendar years maximum.

 EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Apart from the potential for self-employment, students who successfully complete the programme may be employed in the following establishments, among others:

  1. National Commission for Museums and Monuments.
  2. National Gallery of Art.
  3. National Arts Council.
  4. Universities, Polytechnics, Colleges of Education, Art Academies, Secondary Schools and Primary Schools.
  5. Federal/State Ministries.
  6. Local Government Authorities.
  7. Foreign Embassies.
  8. Television Houses.
  9. Auction houses
  10. Urban planning authorities.

 AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION

Students may choose to specialise in the following areas:

Traditional African Art

Modern African Art

Asian/Oriental Art

Western Art

African-American Art

STRESS AREAS

Seminar

Traditional African Art

Modern Africa            n Art

Western Art

Pre-Columbia, Near and Far Eastern Art

African-American Art

Art Theory and Criticism

Dissertation/Thesis

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

9


LIST OF COURSES

Students may wish to specialize in the art of any region of the world as outlined below. Students take course work in the first year of their study

 TRADITIONAL AFRICAN ART

FIRST SEMESTER

Major Courses

Course Code  Course Title                                                                                       Unit

PGC            701      Grants and Synopsis Writing

FAH            601      Doctoral Seminar I

FAH            611      African Art and Islam II

FAH            613      African Art: Typology, Function and Aesthetics II

FAH            615      African Art: Studies in Iconography II

FAH            617      Masking Traditions in Africa  II

FAH            619      Nigerian Traditional Art II

3

3

2

3

3

2

2

 

Ancillary Course

FAH             661      Techniques in Art Criticism

 

2

 

   Total      18  

                                                                                                      

SECOND SEMESTER

FAH  662

FAH 602

FAH  692

 

Art and Politics

Doctoral Seminar II

Thesis

Total

2

3

12

17

 

MODERN AFRICAN ART

FIRST SEMESTER

Major Courses

Course Code  Course Title                                                                                       Unit

PGC             701      Grants and Synopsis Writing

FAH            601      Doctoral Seminar I

FAH            621      Contemporary African Art II

FAH            623      Modern Nigerian Art of the Colonial Period  II

3

3

2

2

FAH            625      Modern Nigerian Art of the Post Colonial Period II

FAH            627      Theories in Modern African Art II

FAH            629      Special Readings in Modern Art of Africa

and the African Diaspora II

2

2

 

2

 

Ancillary Course

FAH 661      Techniques in Art Criticism

 

2

                                                                        Total                                       18

SECOND SEMESTER

FAH 662      Art and Politics

FAH             602      Doctoral Seminar II

FAH 692      Thesis

                                                                     Total

2

3

12

17

 

WESTERN ART

FIRST SEMESTER

Major Courses

Course Code  Course Title                                                                                       Unit

PGC           701      Grants and Synopsis Writing

FAH           601      Doctoral Seminar I

3Units

3

 

FAH  631      Western Art from the 17th to 19th Centuries   II

FAH  633      Readings in 20th Century Western Art II

FAH  635      Special Readings in Renaissance Art

FAH  637      Art and Culture in the Middle Ages

FAH  639      Readings in Contemporary Western Art

Ancillary Course

 

2

2

2

2

2

 

FAH 661      Techniques in Art Criticism

                                                                      Total

2

18

 

SECOND SEMESTER

FAH 662      Art and Politics

FAH             602      Doctoral Seminar II

 

2

3

FAH    692      Thesis 12
Total 17

                                                                                                                   

 

PRE-COLUMBIA, NEAR AND FAR EASTERN ART

FIRST SEMESTER

Major Courses

Course Code  Course Title                                                                                       Unit

PGC             701      Grants and Synopsis Writing

FAH            601      Doctoral Seminar I                                                                           3

FAH            641      Art of Oceania, Pre-Columbia and North/Central America II

3

 

2

FAH            643      Art of Asia-Minor II

FAH            645      Oriental Art Traditions II

FAH            647      Japanese Art II

FAH            649      Chinese Art II

2

2

2

2

 

Ancillary Course

FAH            661      Techniques in Art Criticism

 

2

                                                                        Total                                                   18

SECOND SEMESTER

FAH  662      Art and Politics

FAH 602      Doctoral Seminar II

FAH  692      Thesis

                                                                      Total

2

3

12

17

 

AFRICAN-AMERICAN ART

FIRST SEMESTER

Major Courses

Course Code  Course Title                                                                                       Unit

PGC            701      Grants and Synopsis Writing

FAH            601      Doctoral Seminar I

FAH            651      Readings in Contemporary African-American Art

FAH            653      African-American Art in American History

FAH            655      African-American Art of the 19th Century

3Units

2

2

2

2

FAH            657      Art and Resistance in African-American History

FAH            659      Special Readings in African-American Art

2

2

Ancillary Course

FAH    661      Techniques in Art Criticism                                                                2

                                                                        Total 18

SECOND SEMESTER

FAH  662      Art and Politics

FAH 602      Doctoral Seminar II

FAH  692      Thesis

2

3

12

                                                                        Total                                                   17

 

ELECTIVES:

MFA holders enrolled for Ph.D. in Art History will be required to take any two of the following courses in addition to the main courses outlined above:

FAH            554      Advanced Research Methods in Art History

FAH            555      Special Readings in World Art

FAH            524      Special Readings in Modern Art of Africa

and the African Diaspora I

2

2

 

2


COURSE DESCRIPTION

GENERAL COURSES

FAH 601:       Doctoral Seminar I                                                                              3 units Each student is expected to present a minimum of one seminar per semester. Seminars are to address a wide range of issues emanating from the student’s research and relating to issues in art practice in his/her environment and elsewhere.

FAH    661      Techniques in Art Criticism                                                                2 units This course takes the students through techniques and methods available in the art of art criticism. It emphasises interface between art history and criticism, especially how art criticism feeds the discourse of history. Students are expected to complete practical writing projects as a way of developing their critical skills.

FAH   602      Doctoral Seminar II                                                                            3 units

Each student is expected to present a minimum of one seminar per semester. Seminars are to address a wide range of issues emanating from the student’s research and relating to issues in art practice in his/her environment and elsewhere.

TRADITIONAL AFRICAN ART

FAH    611      African Art and Islam II                                                                     2 units

The course investigates the spread and influence of Islam on traditional African art forms and their evolution over different epochs.

FAH    613      African Art: Typology, Function and Aesthetics II                         3 units

This course studies the types and functions of art in the native or traditional context and how vernacular aesthetic taste and judgements shaped the making and uses of art.

FAH    615      African Art: Studies in Iconography II                                              3 units

The focus here is on the form, nature and signification of art in Africa. There is a central concern with theory of meaning and how form and content give concretise and convey idea.

FAH    617      Masking Traditions in Africa  II                                                       2 units

Various masking traditions are studied in this course. Students are encouraged to compare forms and significations of masks and how they related to one another within and outside the local context.

FAH    619      Nigerian Traditional Art II                                                                 2 units

The rich art traditions of Nigeria, especially in the precolonial era are studied within the cultural contexts in which they were made and used. The connection between art and religion in the traditional context is highlighted.

MODERN AFRICAN ART

FAH    621      Contemporary African Art II                                                             2 units

Issues in contemporary African Art and how they affect artists and art practice are discussed. Students are guided through seminars and research to explores selected topics and problems.

FAH    623      Modern Nigerian Art of the Colonial Period  II                                 2 units

The focus in this course is on works of pioneers of modern Nigerian artist in the colonial period and how they set the stage for the development of Nigerian modernism.

FAH    625      Modern Nigerian Art of the Post Colonial Period II                          2 units

The paradigmatic shifts in the Nigerian art of the post independence and post war periods are central in this course. Special attention is paid to the cultural re-awakening that informed the works of the artists of this periods.

FAH    627      Theories in Modern African Art II                                                     2 units

Students are taken through different theoretical frameworks relevant to the demands of historiography. A practical approach that emphasise writing techniques is encouraged.

FAH    629      Special Readings in Modern Art of Africa

and the African Diaspora II                                                              2 units

A survey of style and topical issues and events in modern African art. The course focuses on (a) Impact of change through colonialism and urbanization, style, form, functions, materials and techniques, visual expression and institutional patronage; (b) The impact of formal system of education

WESTERN ART

FAH    631      Western Art from the 17th to 19th Centuries   II                                 2 units

Major artists of this era are studied with a view to interrogating and appreciating the aesthetic and general trends of the time and how they shaped the history of art.

FAH    633      Readings in 20th Century Western Art II                                           2 units

The course will focus on the stylistic and paradigmatic shifts that characterised and impacted the development of art and visual expressions in the 20th century, through the study of artists, materials, techniques, and institutional and other patronage.

FAH    635      Art and Culture in the Middle Ages                                                   2 units

The artists, institutions and major influences of the Dark Ages are critically examined in light of the hopes that followed in the proto-Renaissance and the re-awakening that blossomed in the Renaissance through the works of major artists of the period.

FAH    637      Special Readings in Renaissance Art                                                  2 units

The course will focus on the stylistic developments in the art and architecture of the Renaissance and how they impacted on humanism and the amelioration of the human condition. Major artists, patrons and other factors that characterised the Renaissance are studied and analysed.

FAH    639      Readings in Contemporary Western Art                                            2 units

In light of the fact that contemporary experience is in a flux, students are encouraged to study, analyse and compare artists and trends as they are shaped by socio-political forces in the Western geography of the present.

PRE-COLUMBIA, NEAR AND FAR EASTERN ART

FAH    641      Art of Oceania, Pre-Columbia and North/Central America II           2 units This advanced course examines selected aspects of the arts of Oceania, pre-Columbian and North/Central American in order to understand their forms, styles and content. Written projects will be required.

FAH    643      Art of Asia-Minor II                                                                           2 units From and advanced perspective, selected art traditions are used as a focus of study in evaluating the range of quality of the arts of India, Japan, China, etc. The relevance of cosmology to the understanding of artistic imagery is relevant to the course.

FAH    645      Oriental Art Traditions II                                                                   2 units Selected art traditions of the Oriental Civilization, their range and types; style and techniques. The formal categories will be studied in the context of their prevailing iconography as well as aesthetic system. At this level, a broader and more critical approach is necessary.

FAH    647      Japanese Art II                                                                                   2 units

A study of history, style, techniques and meaning is studied with emphasis on painting, textiles, ceramics, and graphics, including manga.

FAH    649      Chinese Art II                                                                                     2 units This involves the study of history, style, technique and meaning of aspects of Chinese art in different/selected epochs.

AFRICAN-AMERICAN ART

FAH    651      Readings in Contemporary African-American Art                             2 units Special topics will be selected and engaged by students on trends and issues in African American art of today

FAH    653      African-American Art in American History                                       2 units

The history of slavery and how it changed the course of American history is discussed. And within that context, how did the activities of slaves give rise to the development of Black art in the context of American history.

FAH    655      African-American Art of the 19th Century                                         2 units

This course studies the works and activities of selected African-American artists of this period with a view to appreciating their role and place in the build up to the artistic advancements of the 20th century.

FAH    657      Art and Resistance in African-American History                               2 units

The history of slavery is steeped in resistance the struggle for emancipation at various levels. Within this context, the role of art and artists in that struggle is the focus of this course. Selected artists are used as basis to discuss the connection of art and politics in the social sphere.

FAH    659      Special Readings in African-American Art                                        2 units

Selected literature on the development of African American art are studied by students individually and in groups to enable them gain further insight into the relevant issues and discourses in the area.

ELECTIVES:

MFA holders enrolled for Ph.D. in Art History will be required to take any two of the following courses:

FAH    554      Advanced Research Methods in Art History                                                 2 This course takes students through the methods and techniques available to the creative person in the visual arts. Emphasis will be placed on getting the students to balance between the general guidelines and principles in relation to the demands of their individual research interests.

FAH    555      Special Readings in World Art                                                           2

Course emphasis is on the application of analytic skills in the evaluation and interpretation of research materials in World Art History. Special readings will be based on research reports and essays so as to expose the student to a wide range of interpretative approaches and strategies in art historical studies.

FAH 524:       Special Readings in Modern African Art II                      2 units

Course will focus on (a) impact of change through colonialism and urbanization, style, form, functions, materials and techniques, visual expressions and institutional patronage; (b) the impact of formal systems of education.

FAH 554:       Research Methods in Art History I                        2 unit

Different tools of art historical research are evaluated in terms of their limitations and effectiveness. Source materials will be taken from the writings of eminent Africanists.

FAH 555:      Special Readings in World Art History                  2 unit

Course emphasis is on the application of analytic skills in the evaluation and interpretation of research materials in World Art History. Special readings will be based on research reports and essays so as to expose the student to a wide range of interpretative approaches and strategies in art historical studies.