Authenticity in Context: Book and Paper HISTART5155

  • Academic Session: 2023-24
  • School: School of Culture and Creative Arts
  • Credits: 10
  • Level: Level 5 (SCQF level 11)
  • Typically Offered: Semester 2
  • Available to Visiting Students: No

Short Description

In this course students will look at authenticity in artworks in books and on paper from a variety of viewpoints: philosophical (aesthetics/ethics, art law & copyright and curating discomfort), technical (historical techniques, conservation practice/ethics, and history of conservation), historical (the traces of the 'history' of the artwork), presentation (its use/position/location in the past compared with its present display and interpretation), and the artist's original intent including contemporary art dilemmas.

Timetable

Lecture: 1 x 1 hr over 5 weeks as scheduled on MyCampus

Seminar: 1 x 1 hr over 5 weeks as scheduled on MyCampus

Requirements of Entry

Standard entry to Masters at College level

Excluded Courses

None

Co-requisites

None

Assessment

Essay (2500 words) - 100%

Main Assessment In: April/May

Course Aims

This course aims to:

 

■ Examine approaches to the concept of the authentic artwork using theories from the philosophy of art, aesthetics, technical art history and material culture.

■ Critically examine the debate surrounding the themes of the course.

■ Develop students' understanding of the concept of authenticity as applied in real life situations.

■ Develop students' analytical and discussion skills in relation to the application of theories from the philosophy of art, aesthetics, technical art history and material culture to works of art, with the aim of holistically exploring the concept of the authentic artwork.

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

By the end of this course students will be able to:

 

■ Examine the historical approaches to the concept of authenticity (including theories from the philosophy of art, aesthetics, technical art history and material culture).

■ Identify key issues concerning the definition of 'the authentic artwork' and be able to critically reflect on and analyze the debates surrounding authenticity in art production, conservation and presentation, both in oral presentations/ class debates and in written argument.

■ Evaluate and select appropriate approaches in order to produce reasoned and informed arguments on the topic of the authenticity of specific existing artworks in the context of interpretation, conservation and presentation.

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.