This course is designed for those who are new to the discipline of art history, as well as students who have previously studied the history of art at undergraduate level. We will examine the discipline of ‘art history’ in the broadest sense, looking at a wide range of different methodological, theoretical and historical approaches to the study of art, architecture and visual culture. We will think about what art historians ‘do’ and how the discipline has been practiced in different historical and geographical contexts. In each seminar, we will examine a set of ‘approaches’ or ‘theories’ or ‘methodologies’ through set texts and case-studies. This course does not provide a chronological history of the discipline, but students will gain a historiographical knowledge of art historical methodologies. Each week, we will consider some of the most important past, present and future critical debates and theories in the field of art history. This course is designed to intersect with the core ‘Skills’ MA module and the other postgraduate research training offered by the department. This module aims to develop the independent and critical research, writing and presentation skills needed for postgraduate study in the History of Art Department.
By the end of the module, students should have acquired:
Possible seminar outline:
Module information
- Module title
Theory and Historiography- Module number
HOA00048M- Convenor
For postgraduates