African art from 1100-1980 CE spans a vast period of cultural, political, and social changes. Powerful kingdoms like Mali and Benin fostered distinct artistic traditions, while trade routes facilitated the exchange of ideas and materials between Africa and other regions. The Atlantic slave trade and colonialism profoundly impacted African societies and art. Post-colonial Africa saw a resurgence of cultural identity and the development of modern art movements, reflecting the continent's rich artistic heritage and evolving contemporary expressions.
What topics and geographic regions are covered in AP Art History Unit 6 (Africa)?
You'll find Unit 6 (Africa, 1100–1980 CE) at (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-art-history/unit-6). It covers Topics 6.1–6.3: Cultural Contexts of African Art, Purpose and Audience in African Art, and Theories & Interpretations of African Art. The unit spans c.1100–1980 CE and makes up about 6% of the exam. It includes 14 works: Great Zimbabwe; Great Mosque of Djenné; Benin plaques; Ashanti Golden Stool; Kuba ndop; Kongo power figures; masks from Chokwe, Baule, Mende; Igbo ikenga; Luba lukasa; Bamileke elephant mask; Fang reliquary figure; Yoruba veranda post. Geographic regions covered include southern Africa (Zimbabwe), the Sahel and West Africa (Mali, Ghana, Benin, Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Sierra Leone, Liberia), and Central Africa (Democratic Republic of the Congo, Cameroon). Focus is on materials, functions (ritual, authority, performance), and how interpretations shift over time. Check Fiveable’s Unit 6 study guide and practice questions for targeted review.
Which required works are in Unit 6: Images 167–180, and what should I focus on for each?
The Unit 6 image set and details are at (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-art-history/unit-6). The required works (167–180) and key focuses are: 167 Conical tower & circular wall of Great Zimbabwe — material (coursed granite), civic/ritual function, display of authority. 168 Great Mosque of Djenné — adobe construction, communal maintenance, Islamic influence and form. 169 Wall plaque, Oba's palace (Benin) — lost-wax brass casting, royal propaganda and court rituals. 170 Sika dwa kofi (Golden Stool) — sacred symbol of Ashanti unity, material/ritual importance. 171 Ndop of King Mishe miShyaang maMbul — royal portrait conventions, symbolic attributes. 172 Power figure (Nkisi n'kondi) — spiritual function, materials, community medicine/divination. 173 Female (Pwo) mask — performance, idealized femininity, masquerade. 174 Mblo portrait mask — individual commemoration, performance. 175 Bundu mask — female initiation, Sande society, stylization. 176 Ikenga shrine figure — male achievement, personal shrine. 177 Lukasa memory board — mnemonic function, Luba patronage. 178 Aka elephant mask — royal regalia, masquerade scale/materials. 179 Reliquary figure (byeri) — ancestor veneration, protective role. 180 Veranda post (Olowe of Ise) — Yoruba court sculpture, narrative/support architecture. Fiveable’s study guide, cheatsheets, and practice questions on the unit page will help you drill these points.
How much of the AP Art History exam is Unit 6 likely to appear on?
About ~6% of the AP Art History exam is dedicated to Unit 6 (Africa, 1100–1980 CE); see the Fiveable study guide (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-art-history/unit-6). It’s a relatively small but specific section—14 works total—so you’ll usually see it appear across both multiple-choice and free-response items, since the exam uses images from inside and beyond the required image set. Expect questions that probe cultural context, purpose/audience, and interpretation/theory tied to those works. Study smart: focus on the listed works, their materials and functions, and common comparison themes rather than trying to memorize everything. Fiveable’s Unit 6 guide, cheatsheets, and practice questions can help you target the exact pieces and question types you’re likely to see.
What's the hardest part of AP Art History Unit 6 and how can I study it effectively?
The hardest part is linking specific works to their cultural contexts and interpretations — knowing why objects were made, who used them, and which theory best explains meaning (CED 6.1–6.3). Study by comparing works across regions and drilling key functions: ritual, political, social. Practice visual analysis so attribution and purpose become second nature. Try short timelines and one-sentence cultural summaries for each work. Make a two-column chart: “what it is” vs. “what it meant.” Drill FRQs and image prompts. For targeted practice, use the Unit 6 study guide (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-art-history/unit-6) and Fiveable’s practice bank (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/art-history). Cheatsheets and cram videos on the unit page reinforce the recurring patterns.
Where can I find reliable AP Art History Unit 6 PDF notes or answer keys?
You can find a reliable Unit 6 PDF study guide and notes at (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-art-history/unit-6). These Fiveable notes follow the CED topic list for Unit 6 (Africa, 1100–1980 CE) and are formatted for quick review. Keep in mind the College Board doesn’t publish multiple-choice answer keys; however, Free-Response scoring guidelines and the course exam description are available at AP Central (https://apcentral.collegeboard.org). For extra practice with explanations (not official answer keys), try Fiveable’s practice question bank (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/art-history) and the unit’s cheatsheets and cram videos on the Fiveable unit page.
Are there good Unit 6 practice quizzes or progress check MCQs for AP Art History?
You can find a dedicated Unit 6 study guide and practice materials (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-art-history/unit-6). The College Board also offers official Personal Progress Checks and topic-aligned resources for AP Art History — those measure knowledge by topic and are great for Unit 6 review. For extra multiple-choice practice, Fiveable has 1000+ practice questions with explanations (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/art-history). Fiveable also provides unit-specific cheatsheets and cram videos to reinforce key works and concepts from Unit 6 (Africa, 1100–1980 CE). A good approach: use the Unit 6 page first for a targeted review, then work through the broader practice bank to build MCQ stamina and timing.
How should I use Quizlet and flashcards to study AP Art History Unit 6?
Yes, use Quizlet and flashcards to drill the 14 Unit 6 works (Africa, 1100–1980 CE). Make cards with the artwork name, culture/artist, date, material, form, function, and 1–2 key interpretations. Prioritize retrieval practice: image→ID, term→significance, and reverse cards (detail→work). Use spaced repetition: study daily and lengthen intervals for remembered cards. Tag cards by topic (6.1 cultural contexts, 6.2 purpose/audience, 6.3 theories). For images, upload clear photos or sketch thumbnails to cue visual memory. Focus first on high-yield facts (culture, material, purpose) then add theory/interpretation cards. For deeper practice beyond flashcards, check Fiveable’s Unit 6 study guide (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-art-history/unit-6) and Fiveable’s practice bank (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/art-history).
How long should I study Unit 6 compared to other units when preparing for the AP Art History exam?
Treat Unit 6 in proportion to its College Board weight: it’s about ~6% of the exam. Plan roughly 5–8% of your total review time for it and schedule 2–4 focused study sessions (about 1–2 hours each) before the test. Unit 6 covers 14 works (167–180) and typically takes ~5–7 class periods to teach, so prioritize key cultural contexts, purposes, and major theories rather than memorizing every tiny detail. If you’re short on time, review high-yield images and themes, practice 2–3 short timed questions on African works, and make quick comparison notes linking Unit 6 pieces to larger global themes. For a concise walkthrough and practice see Fiveable’s Unit 6 study guide (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-art-history/unit-6).
