KOREAN VISUAL ARTS IN THE EAST ASIAN CONTEXT B

Course objectives

Educational Goals The module on Korean visual arts is meant to complement the students’ knowledge of Korean culture by providing them with a general overview of the artistic developments that took place in the Korean peninsula from the Neolithic to the early 19th century. As stated in the title of the module, Korean art history will not be analyzed in isolation but within the wider perspective of the interrelationships between Korea and its neighbours -China, Japan and other Asian regions- and their impact on the visual arts. Each period of the Korean history will be illustrated through the most significant artefacts, works of art and architectural remains examined in comparison with similar ones from other cultural contexts. Specific Goals At the end of the module the students will gain a general knowledge of Korean art history from the Neolithic to the late Chosŏn period (1392-1910) and will be able to single out the specific characteristics of Korean art within the broader network of cultural interrelationships in the East Asian region. The students are requested to write a paper on one of the topics analyzed in the module to demonstrate their personal critical approach: the paper will be presented and discussed at the time of the exam.

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FILIPPO SALVIATI Lecturers' profile

Program - Frequency - Exams

Course program
The module is divided in one principal section (30 teaching hours), centred on the presentation of the main artistic developments that took place in the Korean peninsula from the Neolithic to the Choson dynasty (1392-1910), integrated by a second part (18 teaching hours) dedicated to the analysis of specific case-studies that illustrate the cultural and artistic interrelationships between Korea, China and Japan.
Prerequisites
No specific prerequisites required: However, a basic knowledge of the historical and cultural developments of Korea is appreciated
Books
1) Overview of Korean art: Jonathan W. Best, “Profile of the Korean Past”, in J. G. Smith (ed.), Arts of Korea, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Yale University Press, New York 1998, pp.14-38 https://www.metmuseum.org/art/metpublications/Arts_of_Korea?Tag=korea&title=&author=&pt=0&tc=0&dept=0&fmt=Downloadpdf Sections “Overview of Korean History” (pp.25-34) and “Overview of Korean Art History” (pp.51-63) in E. Hammer (ed.), The Arts of Korea. A Resource for Educators, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York 2001 https://www.metmuseum.org/art/metpublications/The_Arts_of_Korea_A_Resource_for_Educators?Tag=korea&title=&author=&pt=0&tc=0&dept=0&fmt=Downloadpdf
Teaching mode
Lectures in classroom and/or in remote mode on Zoom
Frequency
Attending classes is not compulsory though strongly recommended.
Exam mode
For the final, oral exam the students are required to write an essay (about 15 pages) on one or more of the topics presented and discussed in the classrooms. The topic of the essay needs the prior approval of the teacher and the final paper will be presented and discussed by the students at the time of the exam.
Lesson mode
Classes will be held in presence though part of the classes will be recorded and made available on the Google Classroom
  • Lesson code10589236
  • Academic year2025/2026
  • CourseOriental Languages and Cultures
  • CurriculumLingua cinese (percorso valido anche ai fini del conseguimento del doppio titolo italo-cinese)
  • Year2nd year
  • Duration12 months
  • SSDL-OR/20
  • CFU6