Course Catalogue

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This course examines Pre-Raphaelite art from 1848 to the turn of the century. We will explore the subjects, styles, and techniques favoured by Pre-Raphaelites in the Brotherhood and beyond. We will use close study of artworks and critical reading of historical sources to deeply understand the Pre-Raphaelites and their world. Beginning with its genesis in London, we will trace its uptake around Britain, focusing on Scotland, and its international proliferation. Engaging with new research, we will reflect on the important problems at stake in studying the Pre-Raphaelites in twenty-first century Glasgow, examining, for example, issues around race & Empire, national identity & transnational circulations, art & technology, the politics of history, gender & sexuality, and ecology and environmental crisis.

1hr lecture and 1hr seminar per week, over 10 weeks as scheduled on MyCampus.

Available to all students fulfilling requirements for Honours entry into History of Art, and by arrangement to visiting students or students of other Honours programmes.

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Research Proposal (1,000 words) - 25% 

Written Essay (3,000 words) - 75%

Reassessments are normally available for all courses, except those which contribute to the Honours classification. Where, exceptionally, reassessment on Honours courses is required to satisfy professional/accreditation requirements, only the overall course grade achieved at the first attempt will contribute to the Honours classification. For non-Honours courses, students are offered reassessment in all or any of the components of assessment if the satisfactory (threshold) grade for the overall course is not achieved at the first attempt. This is normally grade D3 for undergraduate students and grade C3 for postgraduate students. Exceptionally it may not be possible to offer reassessment of some coursework items, in which case the mark achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade. Any such exceptions for this course are described below. 

This course aims to:

■ Provide students with a richly contextualised understanding of Pre-Raphaelite art.

■ Facilitate student learning through direct study of artworks, taking advantage of local collections of Pre-Raphaelite and mid-C19 art.

■ Encourage students to become subject specialists by reflecting on the wider implications of their understanding of Pre-Raphaelite art, such as the historical contingency of artistic representations of the past and art historical knowledge; the national and transnational dimensions to artistic styles, practices, and meanings; the overlaps between art and aesthetics, and science and technology; the impact of regimes of power and difference; ecology and ecocriticism; and the complex relationships between image and text.

■ Encourage students to become independent and critical thinkers, resourceful and responsible, and effective communicators, by engaging with research-led teaching, student-led discussion, and by conducting their own research.   

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

■ Interpret Pre-Raphaelite artworks, including from direct observation, in light of their visual characteristics, material properties, and historical contexts.

■ Explain the origins, development, contexts, and significance of Pre-Raphaelite art and ideas.

■ Evaluate the implications of recent discoveries about Pre-Raphaelite art for current debates and approaches in art history.

■ Produce research which generates insight into the art of the Pre-Raphaelites.

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