Learning Outcomes:

The primary objectives of the Approaches module include: selection of a topic for the MA thesis; introduction to research methodologies appropriate for advanced art-historical research; development of writing and presentation skills; preparation of a research proposal; discussion about the process and experience of advanced research. The module will be assessed via an oral presentation on a proposed research topic, and the submission of a formal research proposal which provides the framework for the dissertation. In addition, you will be expected to prepare readings and assignments for each seminar.

Indicative Module Content:

Week 1.
Introduction
Orientation and review of syllabus

Week 2.
The Discipline of Art History
Managing images
Resources 1: visit to National Irish Visual Arts Library

Week 3.
Approaches in Architectural History
Methods and resources
Resources 2: visit to Irish Architectural Archive

Week 4.
UCD library
Databases, search engines
Resources 3: visit to Chester Beatty Library

Week 5.
Methodologies of Art History 1
Choosing a research topic
Resources 4: visit to National Museum of Ireland

Week 6.
Methodologies of Art History 2
Formulating research topics/reading critically
Resources 5: visit to National Gallery of Ireland

Week 7.
MA thesis: a student’s perspective
Writing a literature review
Resources 6: visit to Trinity College Library

Week 8. READING WEEK: NO CLASSES

Week 9.
Methodologies of Art History 3
Research exercise feedback and discussion

Week 10.
Methodologies of Art History 4
The writing process/structuring the thesis

Week 11.
Methodologies of Art History 5
Organizing sources, references, and bibliographies

Week 12.
Research presentations

Student Effort Type	Hours
Lectures	20
Conversation Class	2
Specified Learning Activities	20
Autonomous Student Learning	46
Total	88

Not applicable to this module.

Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy  

Description	Timing		Component Scale		% of Final Grade
Assignment: Literature Review	Week 10	n/a	Graded	No	30
Assignment: Research Exercise	Week 7	n/a	Graded	No	20
Presentation: Research Proposal Presentation	Week 12	n/a	Graded	No	50

 

Resit In	Terminal Exam
Spring	No

• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment
• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

Individual feedback on Research Exercise (due in Week 7) and Literature Review (due in week 10) will allow students the opportunity to gauge their understanding of the module themes in advance of the final class presentation on their thesis topic (due in Week 12).

ART HISTORY METHODS
Adams, Laurie S. Methodologies of Art: An Introduction. Oxford: Westview Press, 2002.
Broude, Norma and Gerrard, M.D. (eds.), The Expanding Discourse: Feminism and Art History. New York: Harper and Row, 1992.
Carrier, David. Principles of Art History Writing. Philadelphia: Pennsylvania State University Press, 1991.
Anne D’Alleva, Methods and Theories of Art History. London: Laurence King, 2005.
Edwards, Steve, ed. Art and Its Histories: A Reader. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1999.
Elkins, James. The Domain of Images. Ithaca: Cornell University Press, 1999.
Elkins, James. Visual Studies: A Skeptical Introduction. New York: Routledge, 2003.
Evans, Jessica and Stuart Hall, eds. Visual culture: the reader. London: Sage, 1999.
Fernie, Eric, ed. Art History and Its Methods. London: Phaidon, 1996.
Gombrich, Ernst H. Reflections on the History of Art: Views and Reviews. Oxford: Phaidon, 1987.
Harris, Jonathan. The New Art History: A Critical Introduction. New York/London: Routledge, 2001.
Harris, Jonathan. Art History. The Key Concepts. London: Routledge, 2006.
Hatt, M. & Klonk, C. Art History: A Critical Introduction to its Methods, Manchester University Press, 2006.
Holly, Michael Ann. Panofsky and the Foundations of Art History. Ithaca: Cornell University Press, 1984.
Moxey, Keith. The Practice of Theory: Poststructuralism, Cultural Politics, and Art History. Ithaca: Cornell University Press, 1994.
Nelson, Robert S., and Richard Shiff, eds. Critical Terms for Art History. Chicago: University Of Chicago Press, 2003.
Neill, Alex and Aaron Ridley, eds. The Philosophy of Art: Readings Ancient and Modern. Boston: McGraw-Hill, 1995.
Pacht, Otto. The Practice of Art History: Reflections on Method. London: Harvey Miller Publishers, 1999.
Pollock, Griselda. Vision and Difference: Femininity, Feminism, and Histories of Art. New York/London: Routledge, 1988.
Preziosi, Donald. Rethinking Art History: Meditations on a Coy Science. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1989.
Preziosi, Donald, ed. The Art of Art History: A Critical Anthology. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1998.
Rose, Gillian. Visual Methodologies: An Introduction to the Interpretation of Visual Materials. London: Sage, 2001.
Shone, Richard and Stonard, John-Paul, The Books that Shaped Art History, London: Thames and Hudson, 2013.

THESIS WRITING
Booth, Wayne C., Gregory G. Colomb, and Joseph M. Williams. The Craft of Research. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1995.
Murray, Rowena. How to Write a Thesis. Maidenhead: Open University Press, 2006.

Name	Role
Ms Carla Briggs	Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Roisin Kennedy	Tutor

Autumn
Seminar	Offering 1	Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12	Tues 11:00 - 12:50