There is a strong emphasis throughout the course on theory and methodology, as well as development of analytical skills relevant for academic study. Students are expected to undertake individual study, particularly of the theoretical aspects discussed in lectures. Thematic aspects of the core subjects are pursued in greater depth in ways that will help students to develop specialist skills to enable them to continue to further study and perhaps even to practise in the field.
What will I be studying?
Unit 1: About face: portraiture 1500-1750
Teaching will take place on 3 Saturday day-schools: 13 and 27 October, 8 December 2018 plus gallery visit (17 November 2018).
This unit aims to identify different categories of the portrait (pair, group, royal, civic, formal, informal); examine how pose, glance, gesture, dress and genderisation affect our interpretation; discuss the relevance of the portrait as a social document; and analyse the artist’s perception of ‘self’ in self-portraiture.
Unit 2: The Grand Tour
Teaching will take place on 3 Saturday day-schools: 12 January, 2 February, 16 March 2019 plus fieldtrip (2 March 2019).
This unit offers an analysis of the Grand Tour and its significance as an artistic and cultural phenomenon during the 18th century. Particular attention is given to its association with English aristocracy; changing artistic practice; the development of the ‘grand style’ in English art and architecture; and the impact of Italian culture on the art of collecting.
Unit 3: Art in the Industrial Age 1770 - 1880
Teaching will take place on 3 Saturday day-schools: 11 and 18 May, 15 June 2019 plus gallery visit (25 May 2019).
From the sublime in nature to social realism, this unit focuses on key artistic movements in painting, architecture and design and their reactions to the effects of industrialisation and urbanisation during the expansion of the British Empire and the rise of the commercial middle classes.
What can I go on to do?
If you wish, you can develop your studies in this subject by taking a second Undergraduate Diploma in History of Art (Undergraduate Diploma in History of Art: Breaking Boundaries in 20th-century Art - previously called Diploma in History of Art II), which together lead to the award of the Undergraduate Diploma of Higher Education in History of Art. Please see the history of art and architecture subject page for more information.
Credit awarded by the Institute may also be transferred into the degree programmes of other higher education providers. However the volume of credit and the curriculum which can be transferred into degree programmes varies from institution to institution and is always at the discretion of the receiving institution.
