World arts and artefacts

The Certificate and Diploma programme is organised jointly by the British Museum and Birkbeck, University of London – a unique partnership for the study of arts and artefacts from a wide range of cultural traditions, geographical regions and historical periods. There are no entry requirements but all modules are taught at university level.

To gain the certificate, students must take the core module Approaches To World Arts and Artefacts (30 CATS points) and select option modules amounting to a further 60 CATS points. There is no time limit and assessment is by coursework.

For further information and booking through Birkbeck contact:

John Lugo
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7679 1008
Email: j.lugo@bbk.ac.uk
www.bbk.ac.uk

Please be aware that Birkbeck concessions differ from those at the British Museum.

Core module

Approaches to world arts and artefacts 

22 Monday evenings from 29 September 2008
18.30–20.30
Sackler Rooms

We consider how questions of collecting, display, colonialism, tourism, national identity and gender affect the way we study, value, exhibit and sell art objects.

Tutor: Fiona Candlin and Ben Burt

FFWO025S4ACB CE
30 CATS points at Level 4 £300, concessions £150

Arts in context options

Each module: 15 CATS points at Level 4 £150, concessions £75

Shamanic Arts of North, Central and Caribbean America

11 Monday evenings from 29 September 2008
18.30–20.30
Claus Moser Room

The shamanic arts of American Indians have intrigued the Western imagination ever since surrealists took an interest in northwest coast masks. Amerindian visionary iconography, Huichol’s popular peyote art and the accoutrements of Great Lakes Indians’ secret societies are some of the expressive forms explored in this course.

Tutor: Max Carroci
FFWO127H4ACB CE

‘Is not this great Babylon?’

11 Thursday evenings from 2 October 2008
18.30–20.30
Sackler Rooms

Babylon’s name still evokes the Tower of Babel, the Hanging Gardens, Daniel in the lions’ den and Belshazzar’s feast. The course explores myth and history, artistic interpretations and Babylon’s contribution to modern society, providing background to the British Museum exhibition Babylon.

Tutor: Lorna Oakes
FFWO117H4ACB CE

Isis and Aphrodite in Cleopatra’s Egypt

11 Thursday evenings from 2 October 2008
18.30–20.30
Claus Moser Room

This course examines the coming together of Egyptian and Hellenistic traditions in Ptolemaic Egypt. The royal queens, most famously Cleopatra VII, asserted a strong influence on artistic developments and were immortalized as female deities such as Isis and Aphrodite.

Tutor: Maria Hilmarsdottir
FFWO109H4ACB CE

Shah cAbbas the Great: The Splendour of Power

11 Monday evenings from 19 January 2009
18.30–20.30
Claus Moser Room

Taking the British Museum’s exhibition as its starting point, this module sets the magnificence of Safavid Iran in the context of Shah cAbbas’ creation of a powerful Shi’a state. Key elements in his diplomacy and military successes will be discussed.

Tutor: Caroline Mawer
FFWO106H4ACB CE

Frida Kahlo, Moore and More: Pre-Columbian Influences in Modern Art

11 Thursday evenings from 22 January 2009
18.30–20.30
Sackler Rooms

Maya, Olmec and Aztec art left their mark in the work of Frida Kahlo, Henry Moore and Frank Lloyd Wright. Certain artistic features of South American civilisations can also be seen in Gauguin’s work. These influences will be studied and ancient and modern works of art will be compared.

Tutor: Elizabeth Baquedano
FFWO107H4ACB CE

Byzantine Palestina: The Art and Architecture of Co-existence

11 Monday evenings from 27 April 2009
18.30–20.30
Sackler Rooms

Jews, Christians and Muslims met for the very first time in Byzantine Palestina (AD 400–700). This module examines
everyday artefacts, religious art and the architecture of religious and secular structures, reconstructing the nature of the relationship between the three religions.

Tutor: Eliya Ribak
FFWO113H4ACB CE

Beauty and Magnificence: The Imperial Arts of the Ottoman Court

11 Monday evenings from 27 April 2009
18.30–20.30
Claus Moser Room

From 1281 to 1924, Ottoman Sultans ruled a vast empire stretching from Europe to Central Asia. They were great patrons of the arts and Constantinople was a focal point for displays of royal splendour. This course explores outstanding examples of Ottoman art in architecture, calligraphy, Qur’anic illumination, textiles, and ceramics.

Tutor: Roberta Marin
FFWO116H4ACB CE

Moving Images: The National Cinemas of Iran, Egypt and Turkey

11 Thursday evenings from 30 April 2009
18.30–20.30
Sackler Rooms

Through screenings and extracts from contemporary and historical films, we look at what they tell us about national identities and the different film-making traditions in these three countries.

Tutor: Margaret O’Brien
FFWO108H4ACB CE

Jaguar and Anaconda: Masters of Fire and Water in the Amazon Forest

11 Thursday evenings from 30 April 2009
18.30–20.30
Claus Moser Room

This module explores the material culture and practical life of the Wayapí, Yanomamo, Shuar, and Xingú peoples, among others. It also looks at cosmology, myth, shamanism, initiation rites, ideas
of birth, illness and death, and the spirit world that is an essential part of their reality. Photographs, films, and artefacts will complement the readings.

Tutor: Alan Campbell
FFWO105H4ACB CE

Practical options

Each module:15 CATS points at Level 4 £150, concessions £75

Chinese Calligraphy

11 Monday evenings from 29 September 2008
18.30–20.30
Studio

For over 6,000 years calligraphy has been a defining feature of Chinese culture. We will study the use of ink brushes to write abstract characters ranging from traditional to modern Chinese calligraphy styles. Recommended as basic training for Chinese brush painting students.

Tutor: Li Jia
FFWO129H4ACB CE

Islamic Geometric Art: Persian Patterns

11 Thursday evenings from 2 October 2008
18.30–20.30
Studio

Each week in this practical module we will recreate a different geometric pattern, discovering how extreme beauty and sophistication can be developed from the simplest of means. We will also consider the role of symbolism and the integration of pattern within architectural space.

Tutor: Richard Henry
FFWO069H4ACB CE

‘The Four Monks’: Advanced Chinese Brush Painting

11 Monday evenings from 19 January 2009
18.30–20.30
Studio

Bada Shanren, Shitao, Kuncan and Hongren are known as the four great monk painters and the most distinguished artists in the history of Chinese painting. In this module, we will study their painting styles and reform spirit which has influenced artists since the mid-Qing dynasty. An advanced course for people with previous experience of Chinese brush painting.

Tutor: Li Jia
FFWO126H4ACB CE

Iznik Tiles: Floral Motifs in Dynamic Arrangements

11 Thursday evenings from 22 January 2009
18.30–20.30
Studio

This course studies the exuberant naturalistic motifs on the distinctive Iznik style of ceramic decoration. We will recreate a traditional tile design and develop our own compositions. Part of the course will be the painting of a chosen design onto bisque ware which will then be fired. The cost of this course incorporates tile firing.

Tutor: Amber Khokhar
FFWO115H4ACB CE

Arabic Calligraphy: Studying Kufi Scripts

11 Monday evenings from 27 April 2009
18.30–20.30
Stuidio

An in-depth introduction to the art of Arabic/Islamic calligraphy and its development from the 10th century AD until today. Gallery visits and slideshows will show the stylistic and historical backgrounds. The course also provides an opportunity to learn the methods of Arabic calligraphy and how to prepare the writing materials.

Tutor: Mustafa Ja’far
FFWO029H4 ACB CE

Hindu Deities, Music and Poetry: The Storytelling Tradition of Indian Miniature Painting

11 Thursday evenings from 30 April 2009
18.30–20.30
Studio

This course focuses on the Hindu tradition of miniature painting and investigates Hindu iconography from different schools. Students will learn traditional composition, methods and techniques, work on handmade paper and use natural pigments. This course is suitable for beginners as well as experienced painters.

Tutor: Delfina Gioia Bottesini
FFWO124H4ACB CE