The Art of Building Empire (VMS-0190)

Spring 2026 · VMS 0190 · Tufts University · 3 credits · Undergraduate

How Inka and Mexica cultures used art and architecture as visual diplomacy to disseminate the ideas of their ambitiously expanding governments. What were some of the contributing socio-political factors that led these hegemonic powers to achieve domination of vast territories in such short periods of time (roughly one hundred years)? What role did visual culture play in helping them maintain their social control? Sources of social power for Amerindian sovereigns and the strategies they devised to co-opt dominion, negotiate power conflicts, as well as underwrite and disseminate their ideological interests over multi-ethnic constituents. Primary but not exclusive focus on Mexica and Inka statecraft and visual diplomacy to expose students to the variety of smart-power tactics used by regimes to expand their hegemony.

Course codes: VMS-0190, VMS 0190, VMS0190, VMS-190, VMS 190, VMS190

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