Understanding Art 2: African Art

I needed a course to fit around my life and OCA provides just that

Level:: 2
Credits:: 60
Length:: 12 months approx.
8hrs per week
Cost:: £580
payment options

Call us on 0800 731 2116

Course Overview

Download Course Sheet
(Adobe PDF Format)

This course is currently on hold.

This course is under review - notification will be given when it has been made available.
This course introduces you to the great diversity of African art, particularly sub-Saharan art. It uses broadly the same methods as Understanding Art 1: Western Art and is based on two texts: Africa: the Art of a Continent, ed. T Phillips (Prestel Books) and African Art by Frank Willett (Thames and Hudson). The DVD Talking Stones, which is about contemporary Zimbabwean sculpture, is also included. The course is for students who have already completed Understanding Art 1: Western Art or who feel they already have a good understanding of art history.

Describing African art
30,000 years of rock arts
Early cultures
Types of African art – Ife; Benin; Baule; Zaire; Cote D’Ivoire; Zimbabwe; Asante
Nuba body painting
Metalwork, ceramics and textiles.

The course aims to develop a basic understanding of the history of African art in chronological order; develop skills in analysing works of art through practical and written exercises; develop skills in observing, researching and recording information about works of art.

Postal tuition

You are allocated a tutor and receive their details in your course pack. You work from the course materials and send regular assignments to your tutor. These are returned to you with comment and advice. The course fee includes tutor feedback on your set assignments, but you can purchase feedback and comment on additional pieces of work if you wish.

15 projects and five assignments. Students also maintain a learning log.

For more information on assessment, click here - Assessment booklet - to download the Assessment booklet PDF.