Meso American art history
Carolyn Dean, “The Trouble with (the Term) Art,” Art Journal, 65, no. 2 (Summer 2006): 25-32.
• The goal is not simply to write summaries of each article. Rather, you are to critically assess the main arguments that the authors put forth, and to consider how an author goes about constructing an argument.
• Begin by reading each article carefully and completely, and take notes as you read. Then write a critical review of the article, one that considers what the main argument is and how the author marshals evidence – visual as well as textual – to support her/his hypotheses.
• Completed article reviews can be between 3-4 pages (double-spaced, 12 pt font).
II. Guideline questions for critical review and response essays
Use the questions below as guidelines to the types of questions you should be asking as you read:
1. Discuss the major question, problem, or interpretation that each article puts forth. What is the author’s main argument? What problem is s/he trying to understand?
2. What major conclusions does the author reach?
3. Is the author an anthropologist? Archaeologist? Historian? Linguist? Art historian? Can you determine this? It is important to understand this in order to understand an author’s point of view and the kinds of questions s/he asks.
4. Who do you think is the author’s audience?
5. What sources does s/he utilize, both textual and visual, to make his/her case? How does s/he specifically make use of visual material and monuments? What kinds of textual sources does the author refer to?
6. Include a discussion of your own response to the article. Do you find the argument persuasive? Why or why not? Are there things you would add, improve, or change?
