Assignment Question
Option 3: Examine two or three images (rather than architectural structures, as in option 1) that have been used to express or teach religious and spiritual beliefs from two or three different cultures. How have visual strategies been used differently in different cultures to express/teach spiritual beliefs? Note: Students may also consider how images/monuments have been created to show honour to gods, or other spiritual/religious figures. Guidelines (Please read carefully): -These essays ask you to consider two or three different time periods and/or cultures. The goal is not, however, to rank the cultures in relationship to one another. Also, the goal is not necessarily to identify “universal” qualities shared across all cultures (for instance, to say that “all cultures use grand architectural proportions to express spiritual awe,” or something of that nature). The goal is rather to explore how different cultures will sometimes employ different (and also sometimes similar) visual strategies according to the specificities of their beliefs, and their cultural and historical context. -Your essays should have a thesis statement. -You must refer to at least two required or optional readings. Students are also permitted to use additional sources from outside the course readings. -No outside research is required, though all historical information must be cited from a scholarly source (e.g.: required and optional course readings). -A bibliography and citations using the Chicago Style are mandatory. Tips on How to Write this Essay Each of these questions asks you to focus on visual qualities, and to relate these qualities to the function or purpose of a work of art (e.g.: expression of power, as a funerary object, to teach spiritual beliefs, etc.). The majority of your essay should be an analysis that connects visual qualities to the function of the image/monument/structure. Some historical information should be included in order to state the function of the image, but the focus should be on your analysis. Select images that have some features in common, and some features that are different (both in terms of their visual qualities and their function). This allows for a more meaningful comparative analysis. For instance, if you select two images that have very little in common, it may be more difficult to identify meaningful relationships. Suggested Work Process
1) Choose your topic.
2) Look at the course slides and select several images that you think may relate to your topic.
3) Looking at your selection, ask yourself if you notice similarities between various objects/monuments. For instance: do some images use similar visual elements to express different ideas? Or do some images use different visual elements to express similar ideas? Or, are the contexts similar/different? In essence, you want to identify a meaningful comparison – two or three objects that have interesting points of similarity and difference.
4) Reflect on each of your images individually: take notes from the readings and lectures about the meanings, function, historical context of each image.
5) Take notes on the visual qualities of the image. What are the most pronounced visual qualities? How might these qualities relate to the function/meaning/context, as discerned in step 4?
6) Looking at all of your notes, what patterns emerge? Do the images make use of similar visual qualities to express their meaning/function? Can the differences in visual appearance be explained by the function/meaning of the work in its historical context? Are there key similarities and differences in the way artists make use of visual qualities to express meanings among the examples you’ve chosen?
7) Based on the analysis above, formulate a thesis statement. The thesis statement will be the key to the rest of your paper.
8) Using your point-form notes (from steps 4 and 5) arrange the relevant historical information and visual analysis in a logical order. Remember only to include the amount of historical information necessary to support your thesis. The focus of your essay should be analysis of the relationship between form (visual qualities) and function (meaning of the work in context).
9) Refine the writing, and develop the analytical aspects of your paper. Make sure everything serves to support your thesis.
10) Proof read, make sure all of your citations are in place and prepare your bibliography.
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