AHIS W3208

Not much for 3 short essays, midterm and final

This was by far the worst class I have ever taken at Columbia. Strother does not know how to lecture, she rambles and her speaking style is incoherent and she makes references to things that the class has no idea what she is talking about. I can say with 100% doubt that I learned absolutely NOTHING in this class. She has no business teaching and I don't get why columbia continues to have her teach a really important art history class. The TA was also extremely unhelpful. Did not even learn her name. DO. NOT. TAKE. THIS. CLASS. It will be the worst and most boring decision you could make in your columbia career.

1 map of africa quiz 2 papers 2 exams tons of reading

Horrible, horrible class. As an African I was incredibly ecstatic to see an Art history course focused on African art on the course directory, but little did I know I had signed up for an awful, boring, at times offensive anthropology class, with a Professor that is not at all hands on with students, doesn't communicate, doesn't seem to give a damn about her students at all. I didn't ever want to show up to class after the first 2 and when I did just rolled my eyes at the ridiculousness of some of the cultural "facts" that were supposed to have somehow informed West African art (coming from a West African). The grading is hard and expects you to know minuscule details about every artwork (which is probably normal for any art history class) but is pretty ridiculous considering you are learning mostly about outdated cultural beliefs, not the works themselves 75% of the semester. If you are not required to, do not take this class. And if you already have, please do not let it shape your perceptions of Africa.

A bunch of small papers, one big paper, midterm, final, lots of readings that are mostly unnecessary

I really wanted to like this class. But no--I suppose anything that double counts for the core and my visual arts major is going to require a lot of pain in return. Strother obviously knows her stuff; you can tell that just by googling her. She loves this stuff, too. Unfortunately, her lectures are often snooze-inducing, and there is little to no actual visual analysis... if you want an anthropology class, this might be a good one for you to take, but personally I was expecting an art history class (I don't know why... maybe because the course is in the ART HISTORY department??) and was sorely disappointed to find that actual art was not the focus. The hundreds of works you have to memorize for the exams (that's right. Hundreds. Literally.) don't help, and the little writing assignments are incredibly irritating an difficult to get good grades on because you never know what's expected from you. Her TAs, at least when I took the class, were complete a**holes. Strother is a very nice person, and if you are VERY interested in learning about random bits of African culture (that's CULTURE, not art-- take note) then you might love this class. I just wanted to warn those who are about to walk into hell because they like art, like I did.

long weekly readings, i think i did a total of 5, 2 papers, midterm, final. pretty typical of an art history course.

I am shocked to see all of these poor reviews for African Art. This is one of my favorite art history classes ever, I found the material engaging, beautiful, and it really helped me to sharpen my mental map of Africa, because sadly, before this class, my knowledge was not extensive. I'd recommend this class to art history majors and africana studies first since their previous studies could enhance this class when put in context with others, but really, anyone could get something out of it. no, you will not get an easy a without putting a lot of work into this class, but grades are irrelevant compared to all of the new and exciting stuff you'll learn here. take it. strother knows her shit! and while you're at it, take her husband Jonathan Reynolds' art history courses, too, like japanese architecture. they both kick major ass and are some of my favorite professors here.

2 papers, midterm, and final, africa map quiz. Also beware, you have to learn a lot of complicated foreign names for the exams. You also have to know dates but as long as your response is 50 years plus or minus its ok. I struggled with that part. but if you dnt try and do it all at the last moment you should be fine.

I am African and there are very few classes about the continent so I was happy to see this offered. I loved it. She is SO knowledgeable about her field. like its somewhat overwhelming. I dont think the previous reviewers were African or had a background in African studies/history etc so they couldnt truly appreciate how amazingly brilliant and unpatronizing she is. Most of the other africans in the class were similarily in awe of her and the breadth of her knowledge. but then she actually didnt grade the papers so what people say about her grading harshly isnt really fair because she didnt grade it. its like 70 ppl in the class and papers are split between the two TAs. They are helpful if you show them your papers before you turn them in. A little extra effort goes a long way. She is truly a marvel. She does ramble a bit but i found it all very fascinating. When I go home I am able to comment on things people living on the continent don't realize about the history of art traditions across the continent. I think thats great useful knowlwedge. but its NOT an easy A. you really have to work. I got an A- but i put in a lot of work. I just turned one important paper in late so that brought me down. I would highly recommend this class because you will learn a lot. But yes, take lots and lots of notes and write down the notes according to each slide as it becomes extremely confusing…