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How does art work? This course provides an introduction to art history as an academic discipline. By looking, thinking, discussing and writing, students will learn the essential skills required to analyse a range of works of art. A survey of Western art from 650 BCE to the present is also included.
No prior knowledge is required.
1. Tools of the Trade 1: Formal Analysis
Colour, line, space and mass.
2. Tools of the Trade 2: Comparative Analysis
Identifying similarities and differences.
3. Tools of the Trade 3: Material Analysis
Pigment, marble and bronze, print and multimedia.
4. Tools of the Trade 4: Contextual Analysis
Historical, cultural and social influences.
5. Tools of the Trade 5: The ‘New’ Art Histories
Introducing feminist, Marxist, post-colonial and post-structuralist theories.
6. Classicism and the Late Antique
Essay plan and practice essay due from now.
7. The Middle Ages and the Renaissance
8. Neoclassicism and Romanticism
9. Impressionism and Post-Impressionism
10. Modernism and Post-Modernism
Each session will include an illustrated talk followed by discussion. Students will be required to participate in assignments such as appraising secondary source material and giving short, informal presentations. Practical advice on critical reading and essay-writing skills will be given, with hand-outs provided when necessary.
By the end of the course, students should be able to
Analyse material, form and content in works of art produced in western Europe between 650 BCE and the present;
Understand, analyse and interpret secondary material, both its content and its methodology;
Present arguments and visual analysis in coherent, well balanced, well structured and well presented form.
D’Alleva, Anne, 2012. How To Write Art History. London: Laurence King.
Honour, H. and J. Fleming, 2009. A World History of Art. London: Laurence King.
Artstor, University of Edinburgh Library Databases
http://www.nationalgalleries.org
National Galleries of Scotland
Oxford Art Online, University of Edinburgh Library Databases
http://www.tate.org.uk/learn/online-resources/glossary
Tate Glossary of Art Terms
Handouts will be provided.
10 credit courses have one assessment. Normally, the assessment is a 2000 word essay, worth 100% of the total mark, submitted by week 12. To pass, students must achieve a minimum of 40%. There are a small number of exceptions to this model which are identified in the Studying for Credit Guide.
If you choose to study for credit you will need to allocate significant time outwith classes for coursework and assessment preparation. Credit points gained from this course can count towards the Certificate of Higher Education.
If you have questions regarding the course or enrolment, please contact COL Reception at Paterson's Land by email COL@ed.ac.uk or by phone 0131 650 4400.
If you have a disability, learning difficulty or health condition which may affect your studies, please let us know by ticking the 'specific support needs' box on your course application form. This will allow us to make appropriate adjustments in advance and in accordance with your rights under the Equality Act 2010. For more information please visit the Student Support section of our website.