| Unit name | Modern European Art |
|---|---|
| Unit code | HART30003 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | H/6 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
| Unit director | Dr. Cervantes |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
None |
| Co-requisites |
None |
| School/department | Department of History of Art (Historical Studies) |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts, Law and Social Sciences |
The unit explores a range of visual art practices in late nineteenth- and early twentieth-century Europe, focusing on specific case studies. The art of the era is explored in relation to the cultural, social and political contexts of its production. Topics include: Art and Urbanism in Berlin; From Secession to Expression; Paths to Abstraction; ‘Primitive’ and Modern; War and Destruction; The End of Expressionism. Artists to be considered include: Adolph von Menzel; Max Liebermann and his circle; Paula Modersohn-Becker and Worpswede; Käthe Kollwitz; Kirchner and Die Brücke; Gabriele Münter, Wassily Kandinsky and Der Blaue Reiter; Max Beckmann; Artists and the First World War (Otto Dix and George Grosz).
On successful completion of this unit students will have (1) developed a detailed knowledge and critical understanding of the development of a range of visual practices in late nineteenth- and early twentieth-century Europe. 2) in-depth understanding of its cultural, social and political contexts; 3) demonstrated the ability to analyse and evaluate specific case cases from the period; (4) demonstrated the ability to identify and evaluate pertinent evidence/data in order to illustrate/demonstrate a cogent argument. Additionally, as part of a level H/6 unit, students will be expected to (5) display high level skills in evaluating, analysing, synthesising and (where apt) critiquing images and ideas.
1 x 2-hour seminar per week.
One summative coursework essay of 3-4000 words (50%) and one unseen examination of two hours comprising 2 questions out of 8 (50%). Both elements will assess (1) knowledge and critical understanding of the development of a range of visual practices in late nineteenth- and early twentieth-century Europe; of (2) its social, cultural and political contexts; and of (3) selected case studies from the period. The coursework essay in particular will offer students the opportunity to demonstrate ILOs (4) and (5).
•Lasko, Peter; The Expressionist Roots of Modernism (Manchester, 2003). •Lenman, Robin; Artists and Society in Germany 1850-1914 (Manchester, 1997). •Paret, Peter; German Encounters with Modernism 1840-1945 (Cambridge, 2001). •West, Shearer; The Visual Arts in Germany 1890-1937: Utopia and Despair (Manchester, 2000). •Weikop, Christian (ed.); New Perspecitves on Brücke Expressionism: Bridging History (Aldershot, 2011). •Wood, Paul (ed.); The Challenge of the Avant-Garde (New Haven and London 1999).
