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Arts of South and Southeast Asia
Online course
+44 (0)20 7942 2000
Explore the rich cultural and artistic heritage of South and Southeast Asia through paintings and manuscripts, architecture, sculpture, textiles and the decorative arts, and take a unique look at the history of Asia from the Himalayas to the island nations of Southeast Asia and beyond.
On this online art history course, you can learn from our world-class experts wherever you are, whenever suits you: watch Asian art lectures live or view the recording later in your own time. You can experience the full breadth and depth of the V&A's collections with more than 40 hours of study over 12 weeks. Learn at your own pace: lecture recordings and study materials, lecture notes, copies of the presentations, and additional study materials are available in our secure Microsoft Teams environment for up to 12 weeks after the course ends, so you'll never miss a thing. And finally, join the conversation: share your perspective with your fellow students, and support each other in your further enquiries outside of class time.
On this online art history course, you can learn from our world-class experts wherever you are, whenever suits you: watch Asian art lectures live or view the recording later in your own time. You can experience the full breadth and depth of the V&A's collections with more than 40 hours of study over 12 weeks. Learn at your own pace: lecture recordings and study materials, lecture notes, copies of the presentations, and additional study materials are available in our secure Microsoft Teams environment for up to 12 weeks after the course ends, so you'll never miss a thing. And finally, join the conversation: share your perspective with your fellow students, and support each other in your further enquiries outside of class time.
Course Leader
Dr Helen Glaister
Dr Helen Glaister is an art historian specialising in Chinese Ceramics and Decorative Arts. Helen has been Course Director since 2006 and previously worked at the British Museum, has lectured for Birkbeck College, the British Library and is Senior Teaching Fellow at SOAS, University of London.
The lecturers were experts and provided extensive illustrations, and all staff were friendly and helpful and willing to answer questions Previous V&A Academy Online Course Attendee
Course overview
Starting with the formation of the Indian Collections at the V&A, this course maps the movement of objects throughout South and Southeast Asia and beyond. Observe the impact of trade, by land and sea, between Asian nations, the Islamic world and later Europe, which facilitated the transfer of artistic traditions as well as materials and techniques, stimulating the production of ceramics, textiles, lacquer and decorative art objects. The expansion of Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam and Christianity throughout the region produced religious architecture, painting and manuscripts, sculpture, metalwork and textiles noted for their rich diversity.
V&A Members can book from 10.00 (BST) on Friday 11 October 2024. General booking will open at 10.00 (BST) on Monday 21 October 2024.
Enrol now
Online course: Arts of South and Southeast Asia
13 January 2025 - 31 March 2025
£425.00
Need help enrolling? Talk to the admissions team:
+44 (0)20 7942 2000
Open 10.00 - 13.00, Monday to Sunday (closed 24-26 December)
Header image: Thangka painting © Victoria and Albert Museum, London