| Unit name | Episodes in Global Visual Culture 1 |
|---|---|
| Unit code | HART10019 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | C/4 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
| Unit director | Dr. Donkin |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | Department of History of Art (Historical Studies) |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
Why is this unit important?
This unit offers a fresh and innovative way into the study of visual culture. The History of Art has traditionally focused on Europe. This unit decentres artistic production of the west by taking a global perspective, considering the ways in which the histories of art are indelibly shaped by exchange, movement and transmission across temporal, geographical and cultural contexts. By drawing on a series of ‘episodes’, or case studies, in a broadly chronological format, rather than presenting a single coherent narrative, it offers opportunities to explore both shared and distinct cultural practices in a range of media.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study
This unit provides an introduction to visual and material culture across a broad geographical and chronological span that will help situate specialist units later in the degree programme. It is important that History of Art students have a broad sense of historical chronology and the ability to map different artistic practices. It offers opportunities to develop object-based approaches and key discipline-specific skills, including visual analysis, and apply them to diverse contexts.
An overview of content
This unit will introduce you to a range of objects through a series of key global ‘episodes’ from around the 8th century CE to the early 1500s. Decentring artistic production of the west, it takes a global perspective that invites you to consider the ways in which art and its histories have been shaped by the interaction of people, objects, and ideas, as well as the value of comparison between diverse visual cultures. It explores different religious traditions including Jewish, Christian, and Islamic art both within and beyond Europe, addressing issues such as contested attitudes towards representation. It will also consider gender, sexuality and race as these influenced art and architecture during the period. You will trace select themes across time and place in a unit that, though broadly chronological, disrupts the easy dominance of a single coherent narrative of art by offering opportunities to consider both shared and distinct cultural practices in a range of media.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
As a result of this unit, you will be acquainted with key objects, artists and ‘episodes’ within global histories of art. You will have a broader familiarity with diverse artistic practices, understand some of the limitations of Eurocentric master narratives and have a sense of some of the possibilities and implications of a ‘global’ art history. You will be able to deploy visual analysis and think through key themes of exchange, transmission and movement as they relate to the histories of art. You will develop your critical skills, building confidence and competencies that will help you in the approach to the assessments and provide a foundation for specialist units.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit students will be able to meet the following ILOs:
Each week, you will have two full-cohort lectures that will introduce the topics for the week. You will also have one small group seminar that will involve a combination of class discussion, investigative activities, and practical activities. Students will be expected to engage with readings and participate on a weekly basis.
Tasks which do not count towards your mark but are required for credit (zero-weighted):
Focused writing exercise on one object (750 words) [ILOs 1-4]
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
Timed assessment (90%) [ILOs 1-4]
Contribution mark (10%) [ILO 5].
When assessment does not go to plan
When required by the Board of Examiners, you will normally complete reassessments in the same formats as those outlined above. However, the Board reserves the right to modify the format or number of reassessments required. Details of reassessments are confirmed by the School shortly after the notification of your results at the end of the year.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. HART10019).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the Faculty workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. If you have self-certificated your absence from an
assessment, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (this is usually in the next assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any extenuating circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
