VSA3010

Making art history

John Gregory

8 points - 3 hours per week - First semester - Clayton - Prerequisites: Two visual culture subjects at second-year level

Objectives On successful completion of this subject, students should have gained an understanding of a range of approaches to art history, both traditional and contemporary, and begun to develop a sense of how to apply these approaches, as appropriate, to their own research and writing in the field.

Synopsis This subject is designed to introduce students to various skills and methods necessary for advanced studies in art history and theory, and in particular to provide a useful path towards honours. After preliminary attention to fundamental issues such as the analysis of style, iconography and the operation of ideology in art, the course will focus on a series of specific applications such as writing for the art gallery and the production of catalogues, conservation and technical examination, research methods, and the relevance of new technologies. Students will be encouraged to work in areas directly relevant to their current or projected research and interests in the field.

Assessment Seminar paper (1500 words): 25% - Short exercise (1500 words): 25% - Essay (3000 words): 50%

Recommended texts

Booth W and others The craft of research U Chicago P, 1995
Fernie E (ed.) Art history and its methods: A critical anthology Phaidon, 1995
Moxey K The practice of theory: Postructuralism, cultural politics and art history Cornell U P, 1995

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