Stories of Art: Shaping Art (V4041)

30 credits, Level 4

Autumn teaching

This 11-week lecture-based module introduces you to the history of art, focusing on key topics, ideas, and works that form the foundation of the discipline. You'll also develop essential study skills for success as an art history undergraduate.

The module follows a chronological approach to help you situate works of art in relation to each other and the societies that produced them. Alongside this, you'll explore recurring issues and ideas across different periods, encouraging critical thinking about how history is narrated and whose perspectives shape these narratives.

By focusing on audiences and patronage as the overarching theme, the module examines works of art not only as the result of artists’ decisions but as objects shaped by specific historical and cultural circumstances. You’ll consider the roles of patrons and viewers within these networks and reflect on the value judgements involved in constructing art histories.

Contact hours and workload

This module is approximately 150 hours of work. This breaks down into about 55 hours of contact time and about 95 hours of independent study. The University may make minor variations to the contact hours for operational reasons, including timetabling requirements.

We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2025/26. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum.

We’ll make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.