The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) syllabus for the Arts in 2025 provides candidates with a clear roadmap to prepare for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). This syllabus is designed to guide students in key subjects within the Arts field, including Literature in English, Fine Arts, Music, and Theatre Arts. Each section contains detailed topics and learning objectives to help candidates focus on the critical areas for study.

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Section 1: Literature in English

The Literature in English section tests candidates’ understanding of literary works from different genres—drama, prose, and poetry—both African and non-African. The emphasis is on the analysis, interpretation, and appreciation of texts.

Topics:

1. Drama:

• African Drama: Study of selected African playwrights, such as Wole Soyinka, Ngugi wa Thiong’o, and Ama Ata Aidoo.
• Non-African Drama: Classical and modern plays by playwrights such as William Shakespeare and Bertolt Brecht.

1. Prose:

• African Prose: Works of prominent African novelists such as Chinua Achebe, Buchi Emecheta, and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.
• Non-African Prose: Study of novels and short stories from Western literature, including works by Charles Dickens, Mark Twain, and George Orwell.

1. Poetry:

• African Poetry: Study of poets like Niyi Osundare, Gabriel Okara, and Leopold Senghor.
• Non-African Poetry: Western and international poetry from authors like William Blake, Robert Frost, and John Keats.

Objectives:

Candidates should be able to:

1. Analyze themes, settings, plots, and characterization in both African and non-African literary works.
2. Identify and interpret literary devices like irony, metaphors, personification, and symbolism.
3. Discuss the socio-cultural and historical context of the works.
4. Appreciate and critique the contributions of African and international authors to literature.
5. Evaluate the use of language and style in conveying the themes and emotions in each text.

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Section 2: Fine Arts

The Fine Arts section covers a broad spectrum of art history, techniques, and appreciation. This section aims to assess students’ understanding of visual art forms and their ability to apply theoretical knowledge to practice.

Topics:

1. Art History:

• The evolution of art from Prehistoric, Egyptian, Greek, and Roman art to the Renaissance and Modern art movements.
• African art history: Traditional art forms, including Nok, Ife, and Benin art.

1. Elements and Principles of Art:

• Fundamental elements: Line, shape, form, space, texture, and color.
• Principles: Balance, contrast, emphasis, rhythm, unity, and movement.

1. Art Techniques and Media:

• Drawing, painting, and sculpture techniques using various media like charcoal, watercolor, oil paint, and clay.
• The use of mixed media and digital art.

Objectives:

Candidates should be able to:

1. Identify and describe major periods and movements in art history.
2. Understand and apply the elements and principles of art in creating and analyzing works of art.
3. Discuss the contributions of African art to global art history.
4. Demonstrate proficiency in using different art materials and techniques.
5. Critique visual artworks based on their aesthetic and technical qualities.

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Section 3: Music

The Music section assesses candidates’ knowledge of music theory, composition, and history, with a special focus on African and Western music traditions.

Topics:

1. Music Theory:

• Staff notation, scales, intervals, key signatures, and time signatures.
• Melody, harmony, and rhythm in composition.
• Chord progression and harmonization.

1. African and Western Music:

• African traditional music, including folk songs, drumming, and instrumental performances.
• Western classical music, from Baroque to contemporary genres, including composers like Johann Sebastian Bach, Mozart, and Beethoven.

1. Music Instruments:

• Traditional African instruments such as the kora, djembe, talking drum, and mbira.
• Western instruments including the piano, violin, flute, and trumpet.

Objectives:

Candidates should be able to:

1. Read and interpret staff notation, scales, and key signatures.
2. Analyze African and Western musical forms and structures.
3. Identify traditional African instruments and describe their use in cultural contexts.
4. Recognize major historical periods in Western music and their key composers.
5. Compose simple melodies and harmonies using basic music theory principles.

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Section 4: Theatre Arts

The Theatre Arts section examines candidates’ understanding of drama and performance, focusing on African and Western theatre traditions, production techniques, and the role of theatre in society.

Topics:

1. Theatre History:

• The origins of theatre in Ancient Greece and Rome, including classical tragedies and comedies.
• The evolution of African theatre, with a focus on folk performances, ritual theatre, and modern African playwrights.

1. Drama Production:

• The fundamentals of playwriting, directing, and acting.
• Technical aspects of theatre, including stage design, lighting, sound, and costume.

1. Theatre in Society:

• The role of theatre in communicating social, political, and cultural messages.
• The impact of theatre on African society, including performances during festivals and traditional ceremonies.

Objectives:

Candidates should be able to:

1. Understand the historical development of theatre from classical to contemporary forms.
2. Analyze the roles of playwrights, directors, actors, and designers in theatre production.
3. Appreciate the cultural significance of African traditional and modern theatre.
4. Identify the technical aspects of stage production and their impact on performances.
5. Discuss the use of theatre as a tool for social change and education.

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Recommended Texts for JAMB 2025 Arts Syllabus

To help candidates prepare effectively, here is a list of recommended texts for each subject area:

Literature in English:

1. Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
2. The Lion and the Jewel by Wole Soyinka
3. Macbeth by William Shakespeare
4. The African Child by Camara Laye
5. Selected Poems by Niyi Osundare and Gabriel Okara

Fine Arts:

1. History of Art by H.W. Janson
2. Understanding Art by Lois Fichner-Rathus
3. African Art: The Visual Culture of a Continent by Monica Blackmun Visona

Music:

1. Music: An Appreciation by Roger Kamien
2. African Music: A People’s Art by Francis Bebey
3. The Study of Orchestration by Samuel Adler

Theatre Arts:

1. The Art of Theatre by William Missouri Downs
2. Modern African Drama edited by Biodun Jeyifo
3. The Semiotics of Theatre and Drama by Keir Elam

The JAMB Syllabus for Arts in 2025 provides candidates with a well-structured outline of topics in Literature, Fine Arts, Music, and Theatre Arts. By mastering the topics and objectives outlined in each section and referring to the recommended texts, candidates will be well-prepared to succeed in the UTME. Consistent study, practice, and analysis of past questions will also enhance students’ chances of excelling in the examination.