VH1S028 - Art and Its Histories 01 Sep 2022 - 31 Aug 2026 | Version 2

Associated Module Information

Module Code: VH1S028
Module Title: Art and Its Histories
Faculty: Faculty of Business and Creative Industries
Faculty Group: Music and Drama
Faculty Sub Group: Drama
Module Leader: Carol Hiles
Module Team:
First Intended Intake: SEP 2017 Final Year of Intake:
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 4
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes:
HECOS Code Weighting:

Document Version Information

Version 2
Valid From 01 Sep 2022
Valid To 31 Aug 2026

Module Aims

To introduce students to the objects and histories of Western art history
To critically and creatively engage with selected objects, periods and contexts in some detail. To develop different forms of critical analysis.
To develop research, writing and presentation skills.

Content Summary

You will concentrate on key periods in the history of art, gaining an understanding of the contexts in which you create your own work.
You will develop the study skills and basic methodologies with which to interrogate art’s objects, histories and critical contexts including: viewing, reading, researching, writing and presenting appropriate to this level of art history study.
You will be given an induction to the Learning Resource Centre, including an introduction to online databases and journals and the Student Support Centre.
You will be provided with an anthology of texts, a list of recommended books and internet sites and in addition, you are expected to make independent use of textual and visual resources.
You will be introduced to a survey of broadly British and European art, with emphasis on particular periods of significance. These are related to recent and contemporary practice where possible, and researched, analysed and critiqued using the methodologies below:
1. Iconology and iconography -Medieval, Italian and Northern Renaissance
2. Narrative and symbolism - 17thC Dutch painting
3. Social art history - Renaissance &18th century
4. Marxist Art History - 19th century French Art
5. Formalism - Classical tendencies in art
6. Semiotics - Reading of signs in art
Art History is delivered to establish a context for practice and as a means for critical engagement in the discourses and debates, past and present, which constitute art history between the 14th - 19th centuries. The module addresses ideas such as ‘grand narratives’, genres, styles, the artist-genius, ideology, the museum, mass production and the growth of urbanisation in art of the period. You will be required to understand and discuss the aesthetic and ideological values inherent in art and art history of the past

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 24
Seminar 12
Tutorial 1
Practical classes and workshops 8
External visits 3
Independent Study 80
Directed Study 72
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Know, understand, experience, apply, manipulate, cite and organise art historical vocabulary and conventions and style.
LO2 Apply knowledge and experience and critical judgment with reference to the objects of art history in the context of art practice.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Practical Coursework 1 (Asynch) Exercises undertaken in class aimed at assessing the application of knowledge, analytical, problem-solving or evaluative skills + 500 word proposal + 500 word rationale including bibliography 0 N/A 60 No 40
Asynchronous Assessment Essay 1 Essay 0 1600 40 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Practical Coursework 1 (Asynch)
Essay 1

Reading List

Barnet, S. (2000) A Short Guide to Writing about Art. Longman.

Baxandall, M. (1988) Painting and Experience in Fifteenth Century Italy. OUP.

Berger. J. (1971) Ways of Seeing. Penguin.

Gombrich, E. (1950) The Story of Art. Phaidon.

D’Alleva, A. (2012) Methods & Theories for Art History. Lawrence King.

Harbison, C. (2012) The Art of the Northern Renaissance. Everyman.

Harris J. (2006) Art History: the Key Concepts. Routledge.

Honour, H. and Fleming, J. (2009) A World History of Art. Thames and Hudson.

Lord, P. (2004) Imaging the Nation. University of Wales Press.

Lord, P. (2009) The Meaning of Pictures: Personal, Social and National Identity. University of Wales Press.

Lord, P. (2016) The Tradition: A New History of Welsh Art. Parthian Books.

Panofsky, E. (1993) Meaning in the Visual Arts. University of Chicago Press.

Sousslof, C. (1997) The Absolute Artist. University of Minnesota Press

Vasari, G. (2008) The Lives of the Artists. OUP.

Welch, E. (2000) Art in Renaissance Italy. Oxford: University Press.

Websites:
• Artwebsites (artweb_links.html - access to all journals, websites, databases, information for art)
• Metropolitan Museum Timeline of History
• National Gallery
• Virtual Uffizi
• MOMA
• The Met
• USW and Merthyr College websites: Unilearn/Moodle, Findit, Subject Guidelines, Current Awareness, e.newspapers, e.books, e.databases.
• Google scholar / Books
• AHRC