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Plan Number: 030
Title/Lesson/Theme: Images of Power
Designed by: Gerry Rogers
Grade level/Discipline: Grades 7-12/Social Studies, Art
Estimated Time: 3 or more days
Objectives (what will be assessed?):
Students will understand the role art objects play in conveying social and political status and find parallels in their own culture.
Description/Background:
Although systems of social organization vary throughout African peoples--from highly centralized states to non-centralized communities--art plays an important role in reinforcing the social fabric.
Step by Step Procedure:
Introduction
1. Students introduced to theme through presentation of Chapter Governance Overview: Introduction on CD-ROM.
2. Students break into small learning groups (3-4 per group). Each group is assigned an art object that conveys status and/or power; for example, the plaque from the Benin Kingdom in Nigeria, the weapon from the Baule people of Côte d'Ivoire, or the door from the Yoruba people in Nigeria.
3. Take a visual inventory of the assigned object. What do you see? What is the object made of?
4. Compare, analyze and interpret the findings. How does it relate to what you know about status in African art? How do you think it would be used or displayed? If it is a figure, how would you describe the accessibility of the subject?
Looking further
5. Look further to continue the investigation. What questions does each object raise that cannot be answered by looking at it? Compare findings with other students.
6. Present chapters to class from within Governance section of CD-ROM to provide students with general information, for example Statement Art, Art and Centralized Power, Women and Political Power, Checks and Balances, and Regalia.
7. Students use CD-ROM to begin finding answers to questions. Students should research information on how object would be used within its culture of origin and, if possible, an example of the object in use (still or live image). Students will present findings to class.
Extensions
8. Class will collect images of powerful people from a variety of time periods and cultures. Identify how artists visually communicate the characteristics of power and strength. How have methods and strategies changed and/or stayed the same through time? What differences do you see between cultures? How are these images similar and different from the African objects the students have studied?
Activity
9. Students will create their own object to convey status or power. Students should consider the choices they will need to make, such as materials, symbolism, etc.
Assignment in CD (essays, chapters):
Chapter: Governance and Social Order; other articles from
Field Essay database.
Studio Materials Needed:
Art supplies will vary according to students' needs.
Vocabulary:
Defined in context of CD materials and by teacher in discussion.
Evaluation/Assessment tool (how will objectives be assessed?:
Criteria needs to be established by teacher for presentations and art work based on objectives.
Bibliography/Alternative resources:
Websites:
Submitted 7/28/98