Education - Art History
Survey of North American Indian Tribal Art History 
Instructor: Roy Cook

Catalog offerings: Mesa C.C.; Art-120, G.C.C.; CCS-134, SDSU; AIS-265
(Consult your college catalog or your student advisor for transfer co-ordination).
Click book for review
This undergraduate course has evolved by a very diverse path. Vital to the success of this course are the experiences and constructive contributions of thousands of students in many educational environments. Enjoy the beauty as we step onto the trail of our original American tribal heritage.

It was not so many years ago that North American Indian Art was classified in the category of souvenirs or trinkets. At best, the historic and prehistoric relics of a great people were housed in museums of natural history as examples of primitive art. Within recent years the situation has changed quickly and dramatically. Together we can gain an appreciation of how native tribal people are aware of and respond to our natural world. Let us walk in Beauty together.

This course is a survey of tribal art by TOPIC areas North of Middle America: Prehistoric tribal evidence; Rock Art, Southwest, California, Northwest Coast, Far North, Prehistoric Mound culture, Northeast Woodlands, Southeast Woodlands, Prairie/ Plains. The pace of the course is influenced by the participation of the class. Therefore, the total number of topic areas may be subject to adjustment.

Evaluation methodology and course requirements:

*· A series of short quizzes and short reports Submitted at the same time (3-4 pages, 3 sources, recognizable essay format)
* Reports (suggested guidelines)
A. Examine topics, emphasize your view from the general to the specific.
B. Focus on refinement of observation and notation of process and sources.
C. Attendance at relevant art exhibitions (and a short review 150-200 words)
Remember to cite sources (what, who, when, where, how).

* A comprehensive final examination, required by the administration

NOTE: In the event of a missed quiz, to maintain evaluation process standing, the only alternative is the extra credit report. Additionally, the required report is still due and must be submitted to pass the course. We will write and enjoy sharing.

Extra credit; can be obtained, at any time (and for any reason) in advance of the final exam, by the satisfactory submission of: short report on selected related topics (3-4 pages, 3 sources, and recognizable essay format) or by attendance at relevant art exhibitions and a short (150-200 words) summation or review, remember to cite sources.

Text: Americas Fascinating Indian Heritage, (AFIH) & selected handout reading;

Distance learning and classroom access online: americanindiansource.com

 

CIL Center Independent Learning: American Indian Art-120, TOPIC slides on VHS tape for preview or review by TOPIC; ART-VT 3-1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7..

TOPIC: Who are 'Indians'? What is Art/Craft/Artifact?

READING ASSIGNMENT: AFIH p. 5-53 also 392-401.

TOPIC: Southwest Prehistoric. Cultures, Hisatsinom (Anasazi) Mongollon,
Mimbres, Hohokam, Kiva Murals of Kuaua; Hopi Kachina dolls.

READING ASSIGNMENT: AFIH p.42-67 also 204-249 & selected handout.

(QUIZ AND REPORT)

CIL Center Independent Learning: American Indian Art-120, TOPIC slides on VHS tape for preview or review by TOPIC; ART-VT 3-1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.

TOPIC: SW pottery techniques of the Pueblo, Hopi, Zuni, Colorado River Tribes, Southern Arizona and Navajo.

READING ASSIGNMENT: AIFT p.204-249 & Handout.

(QUIZ AND REPORT)

TOPIC: SW Textile Weaving from Earliest times to Modern, Pueblo cotton and Dine' wool blankets. Navajo Rug Periods: Classic, Transitional, Pound, Regional weaving styles.

READING ASSIGNMENT: AIFT p. 204-249 and selected handout.

(QUIZ AND REPORT)

TOPIC: Southwest Jewelry from earliest times to the present; Navajo, Zuni, Hopi. Turquoise, shell, Nugget necklaces, jacla, "fetish" necklaces Squash blossoms, " Classic and newer trends" Metalworking techniques; wrought & cast. Gold, Sterling silver, German silver, coin and old pawn.

READING ASSIGNMENT: AFIH p. 204-249 and selected handout.

(QUIZ AND REPORT)

Distance learning and classroom access online: americanindiansource.com

TOPIC: SW baskets, coiled, twilled/plaited, twined and wicker techniques.
Decorative style of the Hopi, Navajo, Tohono Ootam (Papago), Apache, Pueblo.

READING ASSIGNMENT: AFIH p. 204-249.

TOPIC: California; Earliest Art, rock painting, sculpture, musical instruments,
dance regalia, baskets-. Pomo feather baskets, Hupa, Karok, twined baskets,
Southern California"Mission Indian "baskets, & Datsolali; Washoe weaver.

READING ASSIGNMENT: AFIH p.250-279, & Handout.

SOURCE BIBLIOGRAPHY: Native Americans of California and Nevada; Forbes
Autobiography of Defina Cuero; Shipik California Indian Education Association; Cook.

(QUIZ AND REPORT)

CIL Center Independent Learning: American Indian Art-120, TOPIC slides on VHS tape for
preview or review by TOPIC; ART-VT 3-1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.

TOPIC: Cedar carving of the Northwest Coast. Clan totem masks and heraldic designs
associated with the potlatch. Textile weaving twined basketry and stone sculpture of the
Northwest coast peoples and the Plateau region.

READING ASSIGNMENT: AFIH p. 280-327 & and selected handouts.

TOPIC: Far North (INUIT). Ivory carving, Clothing, basketry, hats, masks and printmaking of the Far North and Aleut peoples.

READING ASSIGNMENT: AIFT: p. 354-391 and selected handouts.

(QUIZ AND REPORT)

CIL Center Independent Learning: American Indian Art-120, TOPIC slides on VHS tape for preview or review by TOPIC; ART-VT 3-1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.

TOPIC: Prehistoric Mound culture: Adena, Hopewell, Mississippi. (Theocratic Art) - shell work, metalwork.

READING ASSIGNMENT: AFIH p. 28-41 & 68-77 & Handout.

(QUIZ AND REPORT)


Distance learning and classroom access online: americanindiansource.com

TOPIC: Decorative art of the Northeast Woodland; Lenni Lenape, Wampanog, Haudeshaunee, People of the Longhouse, False Face society masks.

TOPIC: Southeast Woodlands. Art of the Five Civilized Tribes: Creek, Choctaw, Cherokee, Chickasaw, and Seminole. Politics and law related to the1830 removal act, and The Trail of Tears.

READING ASSIGNMENT: AFIH p. 78-153

(QUIZ AND REPORT)

WOODLANDS/PLAINS EXAMPLE REVIEW

TOPIC: Prarie and Plains Regional styles of traditional decoration, assimilation of new materials into traditional perspectives. Quillwork, beadwork, hides, fur and feathers, Metalwork, ribbon work and quilts. The good red road of the sacred pipe. The horse and the transformation of Plains culture; Treaty obligations and Manifest destiny, "as long as the waters flow and the grass grows."

READING ASSIGNMENT: AFIH p. 154-203 & Handout.

(QUIZ AND REPORT)

CIL Center Independent Learning: American Indian Art-120, TOPIC slides on VHS tape for preview or review by TOPIC; ART-VT 3-1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.

REVIEW FOR COMPREHENSIVE FINAL EXAM- last opportunity for submission of
extra credit reports.

Distance learning and classroom access online: americanindiansource.com

 

E mail E-mail to aisource8@gmail.com