VH2S034 - Contexts and Methodologies 01 Sep 2022 - 31 Aug 2026 | Version 2

Associated Module Information

Module Code: VH2S034
Module Title: Contexts and Methodologies
Faculty: Faculty of Business and Creative Industries
Faculty Group: Music and Drama
Faculty Sub Group: Drama
Module Leader: Christopher Nurse
Module Team:
First Intended Intake: SEP 2017 Final Year of Intake:
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 5
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 101361 - creative arts and design
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

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

Module Aims

To introduce students to art, its contexts, debates and discourses in the contexts of modernist and post- modernist theory and practice.
To widen the scope of focus incorporating global artists, objects and movements from the 20th and 21st centuries
To focus on particular themes as a group and to develop individual interests and expertise both in theory and practice.
To enable students to understand, engage with, and contribute to contemporary art and its writing. To develop students’ ability to research, evaluate and communicate in rigorous and effective ways.

Content Summary

The module concentrates on key discourses and methodologies in critical writing on art from the beginning of the twentieth century to the present. In depth analysis and interpretation of themes, issues, intentions, discourses and debates will occur in relation to art, artists, critics and writing on art in the context of the following theories and methodologies:
1. Modernism\\u20282. Psychoanalysis\\u20283. Structuralism and Post-structuralism\\u20284. Feminism\\u20284. Postmodernism\\u20285. Critical theory, cultural theory, visual studies

You will be required to develop personal interests, engage in self-directed research (including visits to museums and galleries) and develop study and presentation skills.

You will achieve this by means of a programme that will introduce you to complex ideas which introduces the scope of possibilities. From this point you will become increasingly independent and self directed in your selection and research of art and its writings.

You will be expected to engage with, utilize and argue using theoretical and critical approaches introduced in this module.

The module reinforces and builds on previous study skills in art history. The last assignment requires you to engage with a comprehensive range of research, critical and presentation methods and skills, to plan in advance and to evaluate thoroughly before finally presenting your work in a professional manner.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 24
Seminar 12
Tutorial 2
Practical classes and workshops 7
External visits 3
Independent Study 80
Directed Study 72
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Know and understand the key historical, theoretical and critical issues and debates for 20th and 21st century art history.
LO2 Discuss and write about the objects, artefacts and contexts of art history in relation to the contemporary critical discourses.

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 50 No 40
Asynchronous Assessment Essay 1 Literature Review 0 2500 50 No 40

Assessment Matrix

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

Reading List

Batchelor, D. (2006) Colour. Whitechapel and MIT.

Beech, D. (2009) Beauty. Whitechapel and MIT.

Berman, M. (2010) All that is Solid Melts into Air. Verso.

Bishop C. (2006) Participation. Whitechapel and MIT.

Bishop, C. (2012) Artificial Hells. Verso.

Bourriaud, N. (1998) Relational Aesthetics. Les Presse Du Reel

Butler, J. (2015) Gender Trouble: Feminism & the Subversion of Identity. Routledge.

Debord, G. (1999) Society of the Spectacle. Zone Books.

Emerling, J. (2005) Theory of Art History. Routledge.

Harrison, C. & Wood, P. (2002) Art in Theory 1900-2000. Blackwell.

Johnstone, S. (2008) The Everyday. Whitechapel and MIT.

Jones, A. (1998) Body Art: Performing the Subject. University of Minnesota.

Foster, H. and Krauss, R. (2016) Art Since 1900: Modernism, Antimodernism, Postmodernism. Thames and Hudson.

Lind, M. (2013) Abstraction. Whitechapel and MIT.

Morley, S. (2010) The Sublime. Whitechapel and MIT.

Myers, T. (2011) Painting. Whitechapel and MIT.

Nead, L. (2015) The Female Nude: Art, Obscenity and Sexuality. Verso

Nelson, R. and Shiff, R. (2003) Critical Terms for Art History. University of Chicargo Press

Pollock, G. (2003) Vision & Difference: Feminism, Femininity and Histories of Art. Routledge.

Pollock, G. and Parker, R. (2013) Old Mistresses: Women, Art and Ideology. I. B. Tauris.

Journals:
• Artists Newsletter
• Art Monthly
• Art Review
• Crafts
• Creative Review
• Flash Artonline.com
• Icon
• Modern Painters
• October
• Printmaking Today
• Raw Art

Websites:
• http://arthistoryresources.net/ARTHLinks.html - Access to journals, websites, databases, information for art
• Tate Gallery
• The British Museum
• Victoria and Albert Museum
• National Gallery
• MOMA
• The Met
• Saatchi
• Arts Council of Wales
• Crafts Council

LRC website databases:
• OPAC
• Subject Guidelines
• Search the Internet
• Current Awareness
• BoB (Box of Broadcasts)
• e books
• e newspapers
• Google scholar
• AHRC
• QAA National benchmarking standards
• Grove History of Art