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DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2022/2023

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DRPS : Course Catalogue : Edinburgh College of Art : History of Art

Undergraduate Course: Analysing Art History Part Two (A), 2020-21 ONLY (HIAR10189)

Course Outline
SchoolEdinburgh College of Art CollegeCollege of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 10 (Year 4 Undergraduate) AvailabilityNot available to visiting students
SCQF Credits20 ECTS Credits10
SummaryThis is a course to be taken in Semester 2, 2021 only, by fourth-year MA Fine Art students.It is designed to support your development of independent research skills and the writing of your Dissertation next year. It is co-taught by a team of lecturers in History of Art, through a programme of regular one-hour lectures, supported by individual or small-group supervisions.
Course description Art History: Texts, Objects, Institutions, Part Two (A) offers an introduction to the writing of art history and the uses of art theory and art criticism. Lectures will focus on how to approach the analysis of different types of texts, including key theoretical and philosophical ideas which have influenced the study of history of art (such as, for example, Marxism or post-structuralism). This course will build upon the Part One course, which introduced the study of objects and institutions, by developing these skills in relation to the study of art-historical and theoretical texts and art criticism.

Like Part One, this course allows you to frame your own area of investigation through choosing a particular text or selection of texts for close analysis. It is assessed by a 4,000 word Analytical Project, in which you will analyse your choice of a major art-theoretical or art-historical text. You should develop your project in consultation with an academic supervisor, who will meet with you in TWO supervisions of up to half an hour each and who will offer you feedback on your plan and bibliography. Again, for those who need it, it will be possible to sign up for a THIRD supervision, towards the end of the semester, to discuss any problems or questions arising as you prepare to submit your project.

Throughout the course there is an emphasis on the development of individual research and study skills. You will be guided and advised by your supervisor to choose the text(s) on which you will focus your Analytical Project, and supported by them in developing a list of key readings and resources. In this way, the course is designed to help you develop the independent study skills you need to prepare for your final-year dissertations.
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Course Delivery Information
Not being delivered
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. Demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of the different theories and approaches used in art-historical writing
  2. Assess the different aims and methodological features of the key conceptual tools within the discipline of History of Art
  3. Analyse a relevant text in ways that acknowledge divergent traditions of art-historical interpretation and the controversies that arise within these
  4. Develop confidence in engaging with and employing art historical theories and methodologies in their own writing and research
Reading List
Eric Fernie ed., Art History and Its Methods (London: Phaidon, 1995)
Jonathan Harris, The New Art History: A Critical Introduction, Abingdon, 2001
Amelia Jones ed., The Feminism and Visual Culture Reader (London; New York: Routledge, 2002)
Michael Podro, The Critical Historians of Art, New Haven and London, 1982
A.R.Rees & F.Borzello, The New Art History, London, 1986
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills Critical analysis
Independent research
Organisation and planning
KeywordsArt History,Visual Culture,Theory,Methods
Contacts
Course organiserDr Ian Rothwell
Tel:
Email: Ian.Rothwell@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMrs Sue Cavanagh
Tel: (0131 6)51 1460
Email: Sue.Cavanagh@ed.ac.uk
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