Aims & Objectives

Course Aims

• Encourage the systematic and critical study of: human experience and behaviour; physical, political, economic and social environments; the history and development of social and cultural institutions

• Develop in the student the capacity to identify, to analyse critically and to evaluate theories, concepts and arguments about the nature and activities of the individual and society

• Enable the student to collect, describe, analyse and interpret complex data and source material and to test hypotheses

• Develop an awareness in the student that human attitudes and beliefs are widely diverse and that the study of society requires an appreciation of such diversity

• Enable the student to recognize that the knowledge and methodologies of the subjects in group 3 are contestable and that their study requires the acceptance of uncertainty

• Develop visual awareness and understanding

• Promote an interest in and critical understanding of the artistic production of human societies within their historical, political, social, economic and cultural contexts, as a means to enjoying and benefiting from our cultural heritage and fostering an understanding and sensitivity towards other cultures

• Encourage an appreciation of Art History as a discipline, with an awareness of its various methods and interpretations

Assessment Objectives

• describe specific works of art, architecture and design, and analyse and discuss them through clear and well-constructed arguments

• demonstrate a broad knowledge and understanding of the cultural, social, political and economic context within which specific works of art and architecture have been produced, and analyse and evaluate the impact of that context

• make use of a range of art historical texts, art theory, criticism and documentary sources, as well as their own awareness of art and architecture, to develop informed critical responses and personal opinions

• research, plan and present an evaluative study of the specific aspect of art history chosen for the guided coursework project, including references, bibliography and illustrations