Ancient Nubia, located on the Middle Nile, is the source of more than 8,000 years of art and material culture: colossal statuary of kings, monumental architecture, exquisite gold jewelry, and some of the most innovative ceramics ever produced. Yet seldom does it receive the attention it deserves, especially compared to its northern neighbor, Egypt. This course will examine Nubia's art and material culture, identifying what makes it unique and what it adopted, adapted, and rejected from its neighbors to the north and south especially. Students will select a topic of research, present aspects of it throughout the semester and deliver it both orally and in paper (or electronic) form as a final project at the end. Pending approval from the Sudan Antiquities Department, students will also have the opportunity to contribute to the Virtual Database of the now-destroyed Sudan National Museum. Guest lecturers and field trips will round out what is presented in class.

Units: 1

Max Enrollment: 18

Crosslisted Courses:

Prerequisites: At least one course in Art History, Archaeology, Africana Studies, Anthropology, or permission of the instructor.

Distribution Requirements: ARS - Visual Arts, Music, Theater, Film and Video

Typical Periods Offered: Fall

Semesters Offered this Academic Year: Fall

Notes: