Introductory description

The module is a thematic survey formed by a series of lectures and related seminars that address the fundamentals of creation in art and architecture through an exploration of materials, making and environments, from antiquity to the early modern era. These will not be limited to Western art and architecture but will take a more global and comparative approach. The lectures will follow a broadly historical sweep, while the related seminars will concentrate on issues of technique, terminology, meanings and interpretations.

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: Origins and overview
Sacred space from Classical to Christian architecture
Materials and construction in Classical architecture
Building the medieval cathedrals
The 'Renaissance rediscovery' of Classical architecture
The Hand and Mind: Making art
Reading images
Drawing and Printmaking
Mechanical devices for creating art
Reading Week
The 'Renaissance' and the human body
Migration of ideas and artists
The 'Baroque' as a global phenomenon
Collecting art and nature
Creating material culture across the period
Materials, exploring technologies and environments
Application of object-based methodologies to specified examples

Learning outcomes

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

• Demonstrate basic knowledge and understanding of key artworks, monuments, practices and developments in art and architecture
• Identify and discuss materials and techniques used by craftsworkers, artists and architects
• Recognise, understand and describe the form and meaning of art objects and monuments
• Situate art and architectural processes in their historical and cultural contexts (i.e. social, political, economic, religious)
• Apply specialist vocabularies and methodologies relating to the art works and monuments studied

Indicative reading list

Reading lists can be found in Talis

Research element

Completion of Art Historical Study Skills course run concurrently with this module

Subject specific skills

• Demonstrate understanding of key images and monuments and key developments in western art from antiquity to c.1600.
• Identify and discuss the material and techniques used by artists/architects etc.
• Demonstrate familiarity with a range of analytical tools to engage with more specialised, period- or genre-specific courses in the second year.
• Demonstrate visual literacy.
• Demonstrate critical analysis of cultural artefacts in their context.

Transferable skills

• With guidance, the ability to gather, select, organise and synthesise visual and textual information.
• Present an argument, initiate and sustain group discussion through intelligent questioning and debate.
• Demonstrate academic skills: ability to undertake research and to write up the results in the form of a well-structured argument at an appropriate level.
• Familiarity with essential ICT skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with others.
• Demonstrate understanding of historical context and evidence.
• Think conceptually and critically.
• Show understanding of diverse viewpoints.
• Ability to find, select, organize and synthesize evidence.
• Ability to formulate a sustained argument.
• Demonstrate bibliographical and other academic skills.