| Unit name | Histories, Theories and Critical Interpretations of Art: 2 |
|---|---|
| Unit code | HARTM0026 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
| Unit director | Professor. Mike O'Mahony |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None. |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | Department of History of Art (Historical Studies) |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
Why is this unit important?
History of Art has its own history as a discipline: it has grown over several centuries to comprise a whole series of approaches with different aims, assumptions, and methods. This unit (and its co-requisite) introduces students to a variety of these approaches and methods that inform the practice of art history. At the same time, students are encouraged to develop core skills within the discipline in terms of visual analysis of the object of study, critical engagement with art historical scholarship, and the construction of arguments in both visual and verbal form. The unit especially addresses the question of meaning in art, and how different theories of meaning - social history of art, semiotics, psychoanalysis, feminisms, philosophical aesthetics, and visual culture may be some of these - present competing pictures of how and what works of art mean. The unit aims to provide an introduction to the various strategies for viewing works of art and for their interpretation. Students will be encouraged to engage critically with the material objects at the heart of art historical investigation in terms of both the historical and methodological frameworks through which these objects may be viewed and interpreted.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study?
This unit introduces you to key conceptual, historiographical, and methodological issues related to studying works of art. It will show you how the object of study can give rise to a variety of different research questions as well as providing you with an introduction to the methods that art historians use in order to answer such questions. As the core unit for the programme, it provides a deep foundation for your development as an art historian in relation to the other units you select, and is particularly geared towards developing your own dissertation project.
An overview of content
The content of this unit is designed to help students build some of the essential skills required for progression to longer-form scholarly writing in the discipline of art history. Students will not only be shown how to critically evaluate art historical literature, but also to absorb and emulate the different styles of art historical scholarship, with particular reference to the questions raised by the object of study – the work of art – with a history that encompasses its point of origin, its availability in the present to the art historian, and all the points of reception between. The content of the unit will continue from HARTM0025 to introduce a variety of art historical approaches to the object of study. These approaches will cover different modes of analysis through which works of art can be contextualised and interpreted according to, for example, their iconography, their style, their social context, issues arising from gender and race, their relationship with other forms of visual material, and their interaction with other categories of art. These topics will be approached through key thinkers whose ideas have contributed to the analysis of visual material, as well as showing in practical terms how these ideas can be applied to the object of study. Students will be encouraged to consider how works of art can give rise to different types of historical and critical investigation with a view to generating a variety of avenues for research projects.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
You will be taught in interactive settings that allow you to develop your knowledge and understanding through critical reading and extensive discussion that engages with current debates in art history. You will develop your analytical skills, building confidence and competencies that will help you in the approach to the assessments and provide a foundation for independent research.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
1) demonstrate knowledge of key theories and methodologies of art
2) engage critically with the discipline of History of Art and art historical scholarship
3) apply art-historical approaches and methodologies to the material object of study
4) reflect on their own processes of research and learning
5) plan a research project, focusing on material objects and deploying appropriate art historical methodology.
Classes will involve a combination of short-form lectures, class discussion, investigative activities and practical activities, which include visual analysis. Students will be expected to engage with readings and participate on a weekly basis. This will be further supported with drop-in sessions and self-directed exercises with tutor and peer feedback.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
Object biography 1,500-word (50%) [1-3]
Word project proposal 2,000-word (50%) [1-5]
When assessment does not go to plan
When required by the Board of Examiners, you will normally complete reassessments in the same formats as those outlined above. However, the Board reserves the right to modify the form or number of reassessments required. Details of reassessments are normally confirmed by the School shortly after the notification of your results at the end of the academic year.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. HARTM0026).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The assessment methods listed in this unit specification are designed to enable students to demonstrate the named learning outcomes (LOs). Where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, schools will make reasonable adjustments to support a student to demonstrate the LO by an alternative method or with additional resources.
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
