| Unit name | Religious Art |
|---|---|
| Unit code | HART30056 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | H/6 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
| Unit director | Dr. Dent |
| 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?
The mixture of art and religion forms a powerful cocktail. Even today, the majority of people probably encounter works of art in places of worship rather than museums and galleries. For many of these people, images are a source of supernatural power, either as channels for the divine, or as living objects in their own right. By working through a series of case studies, in this course we will be reflecting on some of the big questions that surround religious art: How do you make an image of a god? What do you get out of praying in front of a painting or sculpture? Is there still space for the religious image in the modern, secular world?
How does this unit fit into your programme of study?
This seminar-based unit builds on your previous units by exploring the relevance of art history to wider cultural contexts. You will further your understanding of specific practices related to religious art across a broad geographical and temporal range and learn how to deploy your visual critical skills and research methods to understand new material and engage with wider debates.
An overview of content
The unit begins by introducing and interrogating a big historical narrative that runs from the medieval period into modernity in which the religious image supposedly gives way to the work of art. We will then consider four main themes: the theology of the image in Christianity; the nature of divine and aesthetic beauty; the many activities that shape the lived experience of images in a religious context; and the different attitudes towards images in Christianity, Judaism and Islam. We will be drawing on material from different periods, from medieval images through to contemporary art.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of this unit?
You will have a better understanding of how art history relates to wider cultural debates. You will develop transferable skills in analysis, research, and writing, building confidence and competencies that will help you in the approach to the assessments and to future professional practice. You will appreciate the value of reflecting on the skills and knowledge that you have acquired across your entire degree.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit students will be able to:
Classes will involve a combination of short-form lectures, class discussion, investigative activities, and practical activities. 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 toward your unit mark (summative):
Review or proposal for a non-academic audience, 1000-word (25%) [ILOs 1, 3, 5]
Timed Assessment (75%) [ILOs 1, 2, 3, 4]
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 format or number of reassessments required. Details of reassessments are confirmed by the School/Centre 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. HART30056).
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.
