Introductory description

This modules will acquaint students with the major methodologies that have shaped the discipline of art history as an historical discipline. To this end, it will examine several theories of the history of art that either construct art as something with its own (internal) history, or make it into something determined by a wider social and political history. The module may also engage with some of the more pertinent methodological and interdisciplinary issues on the boundaries of Art History, for example Material Culture Studies.

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

Introduction
The Beginnings of Art History as a Discipline
Connoisseurship
Formalism
Iconology
Social Art History
Sex and Gender
Post-Colonial and Decolonial approaches

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Demonstrate a knowledge of the principal theories of the history of art
• Deploy different approaches in the field of Art History with a critical awareness of their underlying assumptions
• Explore interdisciplinary approaches with an understanding of the different discourses and traditions that inform them
• Show self-direction and the ability to gather, sift, select, organise and synthesise diverse pieces of evidence
• Marshal an argument at advanced level
• Demonstrate visual and bibliographic skills at advanced level at advanced level
• Employ appropriate ICT within data collection and the presentation of results
• Demonstrate advanced bibliographical and research skills, using print and web-based resources
• Analyse critically cultural artifacts at an advanced level
• Communicate effectively
• Demonstrate visual literacy
• Demonstrate and advanced understanding of historical context and evidence
• Show understanding of the viewpoint of others
• Think conceptually and independently at an advanced level
• Collaborate effectively with others

Indicative reading list

M. Hatt & C. Klonk, Art History: A Critical Introduction to its Methods, MUP, 2004
S. Edwards, Art and its Histories: A Reader, New Haven and London, 1999
M. Podro, The Critical Historians of Art, New Haven and London, 1982

View reading list on Talis Aspire

Subject specific skills

• Demonstrate visual and bibliographic skills at
  advanced level at advanced level
• Analyse critically cultural artefacts at an advanced
  level

Transferable skills

• Show self-direction and the ability to gather, sift,
  select, organise and synthesise diverse pieces of
  evidence
• Marshal an argument at advanced level
• Employ appropriate ICT within data collection and
  the presentation of results
• Collaborate effectively with others
• Demonstrate advanced bibliographical and research
  skills, using print and web-based resources
• Communicate effectively
• Demonstrate visual literacy