Module manager: Dr Will Rea
Email: w.r.rea@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
This module is not approved as a discovery module
This module sets out a broad range of art-historical topics and questions, with a focus on modernity and the contemporary, together with a direct, critical engagement with some of the prevailing myths of the discipline. You’ll be equipped with an understanding of key moments in the history of art in texts, practices and institutions and with an ability to reflect on how the history of art both illuminates and shadows our work as art historians today.
While gaining in-depth knowledge of art movements and practices up to the present, we will explore how the interpretation of art has been coloured by notions of nationhood and claims to universality, by the very notion of ‘modernity’ and by myths of origins and authenticity.
The module sets out a series of thematically linked critical topics, in order to build both subject knowledge in the history of art, and to foster reflection on the underlying structures and ‘myths’ of the discipline. The module builds on other core teaching to enable you to reflect on key critical and historical frameworks in the discipline of art history, and on how we can engage with these as art historians now. In this way, the module places emphasis on close, critical reading not only of artworks, but also of the structures of thought in which art is embedded.
On successful completion of the module you will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
1) Recognise and reflect on key ideological frameworks underpinning the discipline of Art History
2) Describe and analyse the historical development of the discipline of Art History within wider frameworks of modern culture, both in 'the West' and globally
3) Evaluate different approaches to art-historical interpretation
4) Articulate a critically aware approach to the interpretation of artworks
Skills learning outcomes
On successful completion of the module you will be able to demonstrate the following skills learning outcomes:
5. Critical thinking: the ability to weigh up different arguments and perspectives, using supporting evidence to form opinions, arguments, theories and ideas.
6. Academic writing: the ability to write in a clear, concise, focused and structured manner that is supported by relevant evidence.
Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lectures | 20 | 1 | 20 |
| Seminars | 10 | 1 | 10 |
| Private study hours | 170 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 30 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200 | ||
Students will have a seminar discussion once a week for the duration of the course. Formative feedback develops from reading presentations in class and in discussion with tutors. Assessment is based on essay and MCQ which assesses the broad range of knowledge covered in seminar class as well as lectures.
Attendance, participation in seminar discussions, Reading Assessment to be presented in seminar class.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Written | 50 |
| Coursework | Reading exercise | 50 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
The reading list is available from the Library website
Last updated: 30/04/2025
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team