Art History  (HAJ1)

Art History is a dynamic, ever-changing subject that is intrinsically inter-disciplinary in nature. It analyses the complex relationship that exists between visual art and society both across the centuries  and in the contemporary moment.  Art History enables us to understand the environments we inhabit including how and why they have been constructed and what cultural meanings are embedded in them or have accrued in them over time.

The School nurtures an understanding of the role and value of visual art and architecture in cultural life both past and present. It offers a varied and diverse curriculum that includes the study of Irish, European, American and non-Western art and architecture, in addition to a wide range of media such as painting, sculpture, printmaking, photography, architecture, video and performance. The BA programme is dedicated to the pursuit of excellence in teaching and research. It is aimed at students of diverse ages and interests, both Irish and international, with a strong awareness and curiosity towards art and the contexts in which it is displayed, viewed and experienced.  It seeks to foster original thought, interpretative and analytical skills, critical enquiry, and visual acuity.

We encourage our students to examine artworks critically and understand the conditions of their making, meaning and influences, as well as to consider the process of looking itself. Students are enabled to interpret and assess the meaning, development, context and quality of works of art of different ages using a range of methodologies and approaches including conceptual and historical analysis.  The programme teaches students to learn from images and patterns; to consider formalist aspects such as composition, style and iconography as well as technical material.  In order to teach these skills, the programme uses a diverse range of teaching and learning methods such as lectures, small group teaching, web-based learning, field trips and site visits. The latter are exceptionally important for an object and context-based discipline such as Art History. Learning outcomes are assessed in a range of approaches including essays, catalogue entries, exhibition reviews, class and site-based presentations, slide tests, examinations and learning journals.

1 - Be conversant with the range of methodological approaches embraced in the study of art history and identify the best recent or historical scholarship.
2 - Recognise and fully comprehend key works of art, movements, schools and artists and place them within their aesthetic, social and cultural context.
3 - Have an awareness of the socio-economic aspects of the consumption and manufacture of art works, objects and buildings.
4 - Communicate responses to works of art in a clear and lucid fashion and in a scholarly manner that is rigorously informed by an awareness of the varied analytical approaches adopted by art historians.
5 - Show originality of thinking, and a willingness to challenge, modify, or support accepted ideas in a manner that fosters communal learning and invigorates discussion.
6 - Have a critical understanding of how ethical issues arise around the making and consumption of public art and architecture
7 - Understand and assess the dynamics of the production, marketing and reception of art in different historical periods and across different cultural contexts.
8 - Demonstrate some familiarity with types of non-western art, and be able to identify emergent strands in contemporary art and modes of artistic discourse which challenge accepted traditions and canons.
9 - Describe and analyse works of prominent artists and architects and determine their relationships and influence upon international practice.
10 - Understand and reflect on the relationship between cultural and political institutions and works of art and architecture.

Opportunities to study abroad may include:
 

• Universität Wien, Austria
• Université Panthéon-Sorbonne, France
• Università degli Studi di Roma III, Italy
• Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Spain
• Erasmus University Rotterdam, the Netherlands
• Université de Lausanne, Switzerland
• University of Lund, Sweden
• University of Nottingham, UK
• University of California, USA
• University of Otago, New Zealand
• Waseda University, Japan

Graduates develop key skills from critical thinking and writing to effective visual analysis, that have diverse applications and can lead to employment opportunities in: Museums and Galleries, Cultural and Heritage Sector, Education and Academia, Digital Media, Journalism, Publishing, Auction Houses, Archives.Art History has multiple applications. We equip graduates with the skills needed to reflect on the role of the visual arts within society and to evaluate the images and environments surrounding them.

Graduates are prepared to undertake graduate study in a range of areas, including two taught Masters degrees at UCD: MA Art History, Collections & Curating and MA Cultural Policy & Arts Management. Graduates are also prepared to pursue doctoral research.

UCD School of Art History and Cultural Policy
p. +353 1 716 8162
e. elizabeth.varley@ucd.ie

Stage 2

Students are required to take the two core Stage 2 modules (one in the autumn trimester and one in the spring trimester). They must also select a minimum of three further Stage 2 option modules.

Stage 3

Students must register to the Stage 3 core 5-credit module, AH30010.


Students must register to one 10-credit seminar module in the Autumn trimester.

Students must register to one 10-credit seminar module in the Spring trimester.


Students might consider using their electives to take further Stage 3 optional 5-credit modules.

Stage 4

Students must register to the Stage 3 core 5-credit module, AH30010.


Students must register to one 10-credit seminar module in the Autumn trimester.

Students must register to one 10-credit seminar module in the Spring trimester.


Students might consider using their electives to take further Stage 3 optional 5-credit modules.

See the UCD Assessment website for further details

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Module Weighting Info