Course Catalogue

History Of Art 2A HISTART2004

  • Academic Session: 2026-27
  • School: School of Culture and Creative Arts
  • Credits: 20
  • Level: Level 2 (SCQF level 8)
  • Typically Offered: Semester 1
  • Available to Visiting Students: Yes
  • Collaborative Online International Learning: No
  • Curriculum For Life: No

Short Description

This course examines the institutional art world (museums, the art market, collectors, patrons, critics etc.) within which art was produced, disseminated and consumed from the Renaissance to the present.

Timetable

Lectures: 21 x 1 hour lectures over 10 weeks as scheduled on MyCampus on Monday, Tuesday, or Thursday at 1:00 (fixed pattern of 3 x lectures in week 1; 2 x lectures per week thereafter)

Seminars: 9 x 1 hour seminars over 9 weeks as scheduled on MyCampus (fixed pattern of 1 seminar per week starting in week 2)

Requirements of Entry

Grade D3 or above in each of History of Art 1A and 1B (HISTART1002 & HISTART1003)

Excluded Courses

None

Co-requisites

HISTART2005

Assessment

The standard assessments for this course are: 

■ Essay, 2000 words - 50%  

■ Exhibition analysis, 2000 words - 50% 

 

If required, for instance where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, the following alternatives are available: 

■ There are no alternatives to the assessments, but extensions to the deadlines can be offered as reasonable adjustment (Students should follow the usual process for extensions). 

 

Further reasonable adjustments may be provided where necessary. Students are encouraged to consult with the course convenor.  

Course Aims

The course aims to:

■ introduce students to the histories which shaped the formation of museums and galleries as we know them today

■ develop students' critical awareness of the discipline of art history by introducing them to a range of debates about how art itself is collected, displayed and valued

■ enable students to use knowledge gained about the history of art to analyse real world examples of museum and gallery displays

■ help students to think about possible career trajectories in the visual arts and museum world

■ provide a bridge from the introduction to the discipline given in Level 1 to the more advanced and specialised study at Honours level

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

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

■ Explain the development of the modern museum

■ Critique relevant sources that are foundational to academic understanding of museums

■ Summarise key arguments relevant to the study of collections, displays and artistic patronage

■ Debate real-world examples of museum displays and exhibitions

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

No exceptions