On this degree we encourage a variety of approaches to art within different cultures, ranging from classical antiquity to contemporary art, with particular emphasis on the Renaissance period and nineteenth and twentieth centuries. The degree aims to enhance your understanding of works of visual culture in their historical context, to develop skills of visual perception and critical analysis of texts and images, and to familiarise you with current approaches to the discipline. You will find this degree relevant if you are working, or would like to work, in the visual arts: for example, in publishing or arts administration. It will also develop a range of skills and provide a stimulating and enriching intellectual challenge if you are studying for personal development.

 

The 11 courses required for this degree are structured as broad introductory courses in the first year (level 1), more focused thematic courses in the second year (level 2), and a range of specialised seminar courses in the final two years (level 3), requiring increasing independence of thought as the degree progresses. You may take two courses in other disciplines as part of this degree.

 

Year 1
Introduction to Art History (compulsory); Introduction to Modern Art; Aspects of the Classical Tradition.

 

Year 2
Critical Approaches to the History of Art (compulsory). Two period courses, chosen from: Art and Architecture in Europe 1250-1400; Art and Architecture in Europe 1400-1500; Art and Society in the Nineteenth Century; Art and Society in the Twentieth Century.

 

Years 3 and 4
Two specialist subjects in each year, chosen from about 10 on offer annually. Dissertation on a subject of your choice.

 

This degree is taught through lectures, seminars and tutorials at levels 1 and 2 and through seminars at level 3. You will also have the chance to take part in our annual field trip to cities such as Rome, Florence, Venice and Paris. You will be strongly encouraged to experience works of art at first hand, and guidance will be given on relevant gallery visits.

 

The School has an excellent teaching record and was awarded maximum marks in the 1998 Teaching Quality Assessment Inspection and a rating of 5 in the 2001 Research Assessment Exercise.

 

Almost all courses require two essays plus an unseen examination paper. The coursework essays become an increasingly important part of the assessment (50 per cent at level 2; 67 per cent at level 3), with two course units examined only by essay and Critical Approaches at level 2. You will then complete a dissertation at level 3.

 

£858 pa

 

School of History of Art, Film and Visual Media
tel: 020 7631 6110
email: office@hart.bbk.ac.uk
www.bbc.ac.uk/hafvm/

 

BA in Humanities and History of Art.