Module Outline (updated 25.07.18)
This module aims to provide an overview of the varied ways in which art historians, philosophers, artists and critics have thought and written about art from Antiquity to the twentieth century. It is organised around two major themes: Representation, and the problematic emotions of pity and fear. The module begins by examining a painting by the Belgian surrealist René Magritte, The Treachery of Images. We will consider how Magritte addresses issues relating to representation that have preoccupied artists and thinkers throughout history. Next, we will explore some of the writings on art of the ancient Greek philosopher Plato – particularly in the Republic and Ion. We will examine Plato's critique of the arts and consider the wider implications of his positions. In the following weeks we will consider how some of the same problems have been addressed at other points in history, looking at the writings of Leonardo da Vinci and Roland Barthes. The module next turns to the issue of negative emotions such as pity and fear. The question of whether artists should depict these emotions, or try to arouse them in their viewers, was one that preoccupied Plato. It was taken up by Plato's follower Aristotle, who wrote a powerful defence of both art as a whole and tragedy specifically. Aristotle's short treatise, the Poetics, has had a lasting influence on art theory in Europe and elsewhere. We will consider how it might contribute to our understanding of art, and tragedy in particular. Alongside this, we shall consider the notion of horror as it is analysed by Julia Kristeva. The module draws to a close with an exploration of Friedrich Nietzsche's The Birth of Tragedy, in which a discourse developed over millennia, and rooted in the philosophy of Aristotle, collides with the preoccupations of Modernity.
Aims:
* to provide students with knowledge of some of the key theoretical issues relating to the history of art;
* to encourage students to interact and to engage critically with theoretical texts relating to the study of art history;
* to develop students' skills of analysis and interpretation of works of art and architecture;
* to stimulate students to develop skills in oral and written communication through debates, essays, and examinations;
* to introduce students to original works of art and architecture in galleries and museums, in addition to their classroom studies.
Learning Outcomes:
By the end of this module students should be able:
* to demonstrate a sound knowledge and grasp of a number of key theoretical texts relating to the study of the history of art;
* to speak and write articulately about theoretical issues relating to the study of the history of art;
* to analyse and interpret works of art and architecture;
* to relate their analyses and interpretations of works of art to theoretical literature;
* to approach theoretical literature in a critical fashion.
This module aims to provide an overview of the varied ways in which art historians, philosophers, artists and critics have thought and written about art from Antiquity to the twentieth century. It is organised around two major themes: Representation, and the problematic emotions of pity and fear. The module begins by examining a painting by the Belgian surrealist René Magritte, The Treachery of Images. We will consider how Magritte addresses issues relating to representation that have preoccupied artists and thinkers throughout history. Next, we will explore some of the writings on art of the ancient Greek philosopher Plato – particularly in the Republic and Ion. We will examine Plato's critique of the arts and consider the wider implications of his positions. In the following weeks we will consider how some of the same problems have been addressed at other points in history, looking at the writings of Leonardo da Vinci and Roland Barthes. The module next turns to the issue of negative emotions such as pity and fear. The question of whether artists should depict these emotions, or try to arouse them in their viewers, was one that preoccupied Plato. It was taken up by Plato's follower Aristotle, who wrote a powerful defence of both art as a whole and tragedy specifically. Aristotle's short treatise, the Poetics, has had a lasting influence on art theory in Europe and elsewhere. We will consider how it might contribute to our understanding of art, and tragedy in particular. Alongside this, we shall consider the notion of horror as it is analysed by Julia Kristeva. The module draws to a close with an exploration of Friedrich Nietzsche's The Birth of Tragedy, in which a discourse developed over millennia, and rooted in the philosophy of Aristotle, collides with the preoccupations of Modernity.
Aims:
* to provide students with knowledge of some of the key theoretical issues relating to the history of art;
* to encourage students to interact and to engage critically with theoretical texts relating to the study of art history;
* to develop students' skills of analysis and interpretation of works of art and architecture;
* to stimulate students to develop skills in oral and written communication through debates, essays, and examinations;
* to introduce students to original works of art and architecture in galleries and museums, in addition to their classroom studies.
Learning Outcomes:
By the end of this module students should be able:
* to demonstrate a sound knowledge and grasp of a number of key theoretical texts relating to the study of the history of art;
* to speak and write articulately about theoretical issues relating to the study of the history of art;
* to analyse and interpret works of art and architecture;
* to relate their analyses and interpretations of works of art to theoretical literature;
* to approach theoretical literature in a critical fashion.
- Module Supervisor: Caspar Pearson