World Arts and Cultures

Nature of the Subject

World arts and cultures is the study of art objects and other cultural phenomena (for example, advertising, carpets, ceramics, literature, folk music, cinema, pop videos, paintings, architecture, sculpture, clothing) as a means of exploring aspects of cultural identity.

World arts and cultures uses a case study methodology the subject of which is an art object or other cultural phenomenon. This world arts and cultures case study methodology involves a three-stage process of investigation:

  1. Look, think and ask questions

  2. Research, more thinking, more questions

  3. Discoveries about the nature of cultural identity (synthesis and evaluation)

World arts and cultures freely draws on insights from disciplines including anthropology, archaeology, art history, economics, historical geography, history of science, political science and social history, in order to investigate how art objects or other cultural phenomena reveal aspects of cultural identity.

World arts and cultures develops students’ critical awareness of their own cultures and understanding of other cultures and their claims. This promotes inter-personal, inter-cultural and international understanding and dialogue. It also encourages an international perspective on historical and current affairs.

Last updated