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Debates in Art History

Overview

  • Credit value: 30 credits at Level 4
  • Assessment: compulsory course journal (due first day, week 1, summer term) and a two-hour unseen examination (two out of eight questions)

Module description

This module will develop your understanding of a range of art historical approaches and methods, and how these relate to their historical context. You will learn about the writing of art history and undertake close reading of texts. Some of the ideas involved are challenging, so time for independent thought and critical reflection is built into the course structure. We also recommend that you take part in informal group meetings and/or use the Discussion Area on Moodle.

The module is made up of four parts, each comprising two lectures and one seminar. The lectures introduce a selection of approaches and the seminars allow you to explore these approaches in more detail through the discussion of a key text or texts. The summer term is devoted to preparation for the examination.

module content

  • Form and Style
  • Gender and Politics
  • The Significance of the Artist
  • Mechanisms of Meaning