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Semester 2

History of Art 2B From Modernism and the Avant-Gardes to Postmodernism and Globalisation (HIAR08028)

Subject

History of Art

College

CAHSS

Credits

20

Normal Year Taken

2

Delivery Session Year

2023/2024

Pre-requisites

Please see Additional Restrictions below.

Course Summary

Challenge your assumptions with the radical new conceptions of art that are current in the world today! History of Art 2B builds on History of Art 1A, 1B and 2A in providing an introduction to Art History at university level. Continuing the chronological approach, this course examines aspects of the visual arts from c.1900 to the present day.

Course Description

The course looks at major, predominantly Western, avant-garde movements, from Dada and Surrealism to the break-up of styles and unitary movements that characterise artistic production and display from the 1960s onwards. It concludes with the effects of globalisation and radical new conceptions of art that are current in today's world. Course content also addresses cross-cutting themes and issues, from feminism, economics, display, the environment and aesthetic awareness that are all core to the study of art history in the 21st century. All our teaching considers the visual arts as a part of a wider culture. Students begin the course with very different levels of knowledge, and our intention is that, by the end, all will have acquired an overview of certain specific areas in the history of art, and an understanding of the crucial issues raised by the subject and of the methods used to deal with them. You will also have a command of the appropriate specialised vocabulary. You are expected to read widely from the bibliographies provided in order to extend and deepen your knowledge of the topics addressed in lectures. The course is taught by means of three hour-long lectures per week for 11 weeks of the semester, plus one small group tutorial per week. In the lectures you will learn about the key works and ideas that underpin this period in the history of art. Lectures are supported by readings and activities on the course website. In the tutorials you will put the ideas and skills you have seen in the lectures into practice. Some of the tutorials will take place in Edinburgh's museums and galleries. You will be assessed by means of one essay and one end-of-course examination.

Assessment Information

Written Exam 50%, Coursework 50%, Practical Exam 0%

Additional Restrictions

Please note that spaces on History of Art courses are limited and cannot be guaranteed for any students who are not nominated to study with us on a History of Art exchange agreement.

view the timetable and further details for this course