Module manager: Dr Will Rea
Email: w.r.rea@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
This module is not approved as a discovery module
This module looks to teach the continuities and discontinuities between a "western" art history and the aesthetic, social and signifying fields indigenous to African communities and their art works. Working through a thematic approach rather than a survey the module introduces the variable articulations of creativity, identity, gender, power and play in African art. The human body and person is the subject matter of so much of the art of sub-Saharan Africa, and this module considers signification, aesthetic assessment, contrasts between political and metaphysical powers and their legitimation and art as a means of addressing political circumstances. You are also introduced to individual artist names and works challenging the perception of the African maker as anonymous. The module challenges western models of art history, while contextualising those models within the colonial constructions of art history as applied to the continent. It brings a consideration of decolonial approaches and a critical articulation of how an art history may still remain relevant to the study of African material production. You are given opportunity to work in seminar with material from collections. Please note this is an optional module and runs subject to enrolments. If a low number of students choose this module, then the module may not run and you may be asked to choose another module.
This module will provide you with:
A clear understanding of an outline Art History of the continent of Africa.
An introduction to a range of art-making practices in a comparative perspective from across the continent: These include body art, textiles, masquerade, bronze/brass casting, woodcarving and ceramics.
A thematic approach that outlines issues of creativity, meaning, history and representation.
A contextual and comparative understanding of the uses of art history in Africa and the challenge posed by thinking through decolonial approaches.
Specific examples derived from current research experience to illustrate the themes of the module.
On successful completion of the module you will be able to:
1. Demonstrate an understanding of the complex interaction between art and society in specific instances within the context of Africa.
2. Identify specific art works from across the continent.
3. Critically evaluate the different modes of art historical analysis as applied to African art.
4. Assess the use of art works in particular contexts as they relate to (variously) gender, the body, political power and notions of personhood.
Skills Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module you will be able to:
5. Prepare an informed argument grounded in relevant primary and secondary source material 
6. Demonstrate visual literacy skills through the identification and selection of relevant works of art. 
Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module.
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 10 | 1 | 10 |
| Seminar | 10 | 1 | 10 |
| Private study hours | 180 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 20 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200 | ||
Students will be engaged in class discussion and given an opportunity for personal supervision. Summative feedback occurs at the end of the module but throughout students are exposed to visual material forming the basis for sustained class discussion. Students have the opportunity to arrange individual tutorials.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Written | 40 |
| Coursework | Written | 60 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list
Last updated: 16/04/2025
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team