Art History and Visual Studies I

The course comprises four modules. Module 1 Introduction to Art History and Visual Studies, 7.5 ECTS cr The module introduces the history of art and visual studies, the theories and methods of the field and exercises in visual analysis and interpretation. Module 2 Early Visual and Architectural Cultures, 7.5 ECTS cr The module identifies visual remnants and fragments of prehistoric visual and architectural cultures and studies of the expressions of the major world cultures and religions as manifested in visual art, architecture and the built environment in the prehistoric to the medieval period. Module 3 From the Renaissance to Romanticism and Realism, 7.5 ECTS cr The module centres on Western visual and architectural cultures against the background of political and social changes and global influences in the15-19th centuries. In addition, the emerging design phenomenon is studied along with the prevalence of mass media images, the importance of the new graphic technology and the architectural design of new public institutions, and discussions of visual and architectural styles from a power, class, gender and ethnicity perspective. Module 4 Modernism, Postmodernism and Contemporary Art, 7.5 ECTS cr The module comprises studies of visual art, architecture and design in the 20-21st centuries in terms of the concepts of modernity, modernism, postmodernism and globalisation. New media use of art and visual culture in Western 20-21st century culture is studied as well as the influence of non-European cultures, and how visual and architectural 20-21st century styles reflect power, calss, gender and ethnicity.