| Unit name | Introduction to Modern Art |
|---|---|
| Unit code | HART10217 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | C/4 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
| Unit director | Professor. Shaw-Miller |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
None |
| Co-requisites |
None |
| School/department | Department of History of Art (Historical Studies) |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
This unit provides an introduction to the art and architecture of the Modern and Postmodern periods. It will introduce students to the diversity of cultural theories, practices and debates that emerged throughout Europe and the United States during the twentieth century and up to the present day. The fundamental aim of the unit is to explore the work of artists and groups within a broad social and political context emphasising contrasts and affinities in cultural production from diverse places and moments within the geographical and chronological confines of the course. Additionally, consideration will be given to the ways in which art historians of differing viewpoints and emphases have recounted, analysed and interpreted Modern and Postmodern art.
Aims:
The unit aims to provide a broad chronological survey of art during the Modern and Postmodern periods. Within this broad survey the unit has three principal objectives: to acquaint students with major works of art and personalities of the period; to introduce students to key issues and concepts connected with the study of this material, such as style, patronage, function and interpretation; and to reflect upon the ways in which Modern and Postmodern art has been treated in the secondary literature in the past, and is now being treated as a result of new approaches and recent research. The unit uses critical, historical and anthropological approaches to question traditional notions and approaches to Modern and Postmodern art.
By the end of this unit, the students should:
1. have gained a broad chronological understanding of the development of art production and consumption during this period;
2. be acquainted with a group of major works of art produced during this period
3. be able to reflect upon these objects in their historical context
4. be able to assess some of the ways in which art was used and consumed by patrons, both individual and institutional
5. be aware of different approaches to Modern and Postmodern art, and be able to reflect critically upon these different approaches Students will have been given the opportunity to tackle some of the key issues and concepts connected with the study of the art of this period, and given the opportunity to develop their visual recognition, iconographical skills and visual analysis.
Classes will involve a combination of long- and short-form lectures, class discussion, investigative activities, and practical activities. Students will be expected to engage with readings and participate on a weekly basis. This will be further supported with drop-in sessions and self-directed exercises with tutor and peer feedback.
One 2000-word essay (formative) One timed assessment (100%)
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. HART10217).
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.
