History of Art, Design and Film BA(Hons)

Why choose this course?

This course is unique in examining the interrelated histories of art, design, architecture and film in the modern and contemporary world. You will explore a wide range of images, texts and objects, developing historical, theoretical and analytical skills. You will be part of a vibrant faculty of art and design, where internationally significant research directly informs teaching, and where future creative practice is being forged. You can choose to study this subject as a single honours or as a joint honours alongside another subject.

You can also choose to study History of Art, Design and Film as a joint honours degree alongside another subject, or Art History as a joint honours degree with Fine Art. See the course combinations section for more information.

What will you study?

Year 1 provides a strong grounding in the four main areas of art, architecture, design and film. You will learn about their different histories as disciplines and practices, and how, why, and for whom objects, images and environments have been produced. You will also develop core skills in visual research and academic writing, and familiarise yourself with key resources in London.

Year 2 enables you to focus your study on particular places, periods and subjects. Modules at this level emphasise interdisciplinary connections across art, architecture, design and film, and the way these connections have shaped the visual and material culture of the twentieth century.  You can also choose options which enable you to study alongside art and design studio students, engaging with contemporary practice in relation to critical and historical analysis.

Year 3 is focused on the critical relevance of histories of art, architecture, design and film to contemporary culture. Research-led teaching enables you to engage directly with new ideas in the making, and you will be challenged to articulate your own critical position. Your self-initiated dissertation will mark the culmination of your studies, and will provide you with a platform for engagement with the wider arts and cultural sector after your degree.

Please note that this is an indicative list of modules and is not intended as a definitive list. Those listed here may also be a mixture of core and optional modules.

Year 1

• Visual Research: An Introduction
• Approaches to Architecture
• Design History and Culture
• Themes in Art History

• Themes in Art History

  This module introduces you to the history of art. You will cover:

  • historical and cultural factors that shape the production of art;
  • the historical basis of preconceptions common to twentieth century views on art; and
  • how to relate texts to images.
  
   
• Photography, Film, Screen
• Museums and Galleries: An Introduction
• Art and its Institutions

Year 2

• Doing Research: Critical Approaches and Creative Practice
• The European Art World, 1860–1940
• Art Since 1940
• Screening the City
• Writing Contexts: Art, Design, Film
• Experiencing Art and Design
• Critical Museology
• Study Visits in London and Abroad

Year 3

• Dissertation

• Dissertation

  Your dissertation allows you to study a topic of interest within your field of study in greater depth. This will involve scientific detachment, problem-solving and rigorous analysis. It will also help you develop independent learning skills.

  
   
• Avant-gardism and the Contemporary
• Art and Globalisation
• Designing Life
• Screen Subjects
• Valuing Museums and Galleries
• Museum and Gallery Futures
• Special Study Subjects
• Study Visits in London and Abroad