Fine Art and Art History BA(Hons)

Why choose this course?

This course enables you to combine the complementary subjects of fine art and art history. The fine art element explores both traditional and contemporary media, while the history of art section covers the history of painting, sculpture, design, architecture, film and photography.

What will you study?

We operate a system of individual learning agreements, where you identify and plan an individual programme of work in agreement with your tutor. You will establish your fine art practice within our studios, as well as taking theoretical modules that explore current issues in the visual and live arts; the ways that specific trends can be interpreted, analysed and presented; and the debates central to current art practice and theory.

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

• Studio Practice I

• Studio Practice I

  This module develops your studio working methodologies and practices.

  It is supported by a number of workshops, seminars, tutorials and projects based on key areas of practice, such as sculpture, film and video, painting and performance. You begin to establish themselves and their work within a studio environment.

  
   
• Exhibition/Portfolio I

• Exhibition/Portfolio I

  This module develops:

  • reflective thinking about the practical work made within the studio; and
  • strategic skills for showing, recording, communicating and displaying work in both portfolio and exhibition formats. 

  You will gain an understanding of editing, displaying and disseminating practical work to your peers, teaching staff and external audiences.

  
   
• Introduction to Current Issues in Art Practice, Theory and Display I

• Introduction to Current Issues in Art Practice, Theory and Display I

  This module introduces the various ways of interpreting, analysing and presenting specific trends in the visual and live arts.

  Through a series of lectures and case studies, you will examine the historical, theoretical and critical debates central to current issues in art theory and practice, including live arts, text-based art and electronic arts.

  Designed to help you to develop a critical approach towards the main art institutions, study visits to important exhibitions in leading London galleries will support your lectures. This will lead to an understanding of the relationships between art, space, place and audience, and will provide the foundation for self-directed research on a theme related to module content.

  
   
• Introduction to Current Issues in Art Practice, Theory and Display II

• Introduction to Current Issues in Art Practice, Theory and Display II

  This module explores the debates and issues central to current art practice and theory. Field visits will develop your critical approach to the main art institutions. You will also improve your understanding of the role of research and essay writing.

  
   
• Visual Culture: An Introduction OR

• Visual Culture: An Introduction OR

  This module introduces you to visual culture and the issues associated with it. You will gain the skills, resources and approaches needed to study images and objects from both the past and present.

  
   
• 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.
  
   
• Material Culture: An Introduction OR

• Material Culture: An Introduction OR

  This module covers different approaches to the study of designed and manufactured objects and environments. You will consider critical and presentational contexts for these objects and environments.

  
   
• Exploring Contexts

• Exploring Contexts

  This module looks at resources for studying visual and material culture in and around London. It introduces you to:

  • different contexts in which works of art, design and architecture are experienced and mediated;
  • different modes of presentation; and
  • the study resource skills needed to study visual and material culture.
  
   

Year 2

• Studio Practice II/Peer Project

• Studio Practice II/Peer Project

  In this module you will build on your previous achievements and continue to develop the ability to pursue a comprehensive and independent studio practice.

  The peer project will enable you to work with others and contribute to discussions.

  Individual research will be supported by tutorials, seminars lectures and school options.

  
   
• Exhibition/Portfolio II

• Exhibition/Portfolio II

  In this module you continue to develop effective skills to:

  • present and document your work; and
  • articulate your ideas.
  
   
• Extended Essay

• Extended Essay

  Your extended essay should be between 5,000 and 6,000 words. Writing the extended essay will be a satisfying and rewarding experience, and will also be very good preparation for your dissertation.

  
   
• Choose two of the following:
• Art in the Age of Mass Media

• Art in the Age of Mass Media

  This module explores areas of recent and contemporary art. It covers:

  • the impact of mass media debates and technologies on artistic practice and theory;
  • diverse exhibition spaces and contexts of recent fine art practice; and
  • historical, political and cultural contexts.
  
   
• Approaches to Sculpture

• Approaches to Sculpture

  This module looks at major developments in sculptural practice and theory, mainly in the twentieth century. It covers:

  • the various social, historical and cultural factors that have helped shape the nature and role of sculpture in this period;
  • changes within modern sculpture, plus how it is defined and understood; and
  • how to relate critical and theoretical texts to the work.
  
   
• Contextualising Photography

• Contextualising Photography

  This module provides a thematic history of photography. You will look at:

  • how practitioners and critics since the 19th century have developed a distinctive aesthetic identity and ideological purpose for photography;
  • both artistic and commercial approaches to the medium and the tension that exists between them; and
  • the broader social and cultural interpretations of photographic representation.
  
   
• Culture of Images: Representation and Meanings

• Culture of Images: Representation and Meanings

  This module will deepen your understanding of the roles of images in contemporary culture. You will:

  • analyse images and study various interpretative frameworks;
  • explore key issues in the production and consumption of images; and
  • engage with debates surrounding representation and meaning.
  
   
• Spaces of Culture

• Spaces of Culture

  This module explores the historical and contemporary development of the gallery space and exhibition. You will look at:

  • the changing significance of the curator;
  • the significance of the gallery and curatorial process; and
  • how gallery spaces have been formed through the broader articulation of culture.
  
   
• Professional Practice: The Media, Creative and Culture Industries

• Professional Practice: The Media, Creative and Culture Industries

  This module gives you the chance to identify and analyse your skills, achievements, strengths, weaknesses and personal values in relation to your career choice. You will be able to:

  • research and identify the range of professional opportunities open to you;
  • gain an insight into the structure, organisation, ethos and ideology of the media, creative and culture industries; and
  • identify an area of interest to investigate further.
  
   
• Study Trip

Year 3

• Studio Practice III

• Studio Practice III

  In this module you build on your previous achievements and develop independent thought and working practice.

  Through independent studio practice, core seminars and tutorials, you develop a working practice that demonstrates an authoritative understanding of contemporary fine art practice.

  Core seminars, tutorials and research logs facilitate articulation and critical evaluation skills, and foster an in-depth and authoritative enquiry into independent professional practice. Elective tutorials, a series of artist talks and subject workshops support and supplement core teaching.

  
   
• Exhibition/Portfolio III

• Exhibition/Portfolio III

  This module builds on your previous achievements. Through a portfolio you will:

  • develop exhibition, documentation and professional practice skills;
  • select and highlight your achievements in the last year of undergraduate study; and
  • develop an awareness of the critical, historical and contemporary contexts of fine art practice.

  The module is delivered through:

  • core tutorials and seminars - to help you articulate and critically evaluate your ideas and practice; and
  • a series of artist talks, elective tutorials and subject workshops.
  
   
• Dissertation

• Dissertation

  The dissertation module involves individual research, organisation and development of a subject of personal interest. You will develop:

  • critical and analytical thought; and
  • the ability to sustain an argument using research and writings skills.
  
   
• Choose two of the following:
• The Human Image in the Visual Arts

• The Human Image in the Visual Arts

  This module explores how the human image has been used to engender meaning. You will look at:

  • issues, debates and approaches to the representation of the human image in the visual arts; and
  • historical, political, social and cultural contexts.
  
   
• Meanings of Modernism

• Meanings of Modernism

  This module critically re-evaluates accepted notions of modernism in European and North American art. You will explore:

  • those artists who worked within this accepted tradition and those who fit within it less comfortably;
  • the historical and critical historiography of modernism; and
  • the role of the theory in the traditions of art history.
  
   
• Beyond the Gallery

• Beyond the Gallery

  This module considers the role of convention in the presentation, practice and display of art. You will explore:

  • the critical significance of site-specific and site-oriented art practices;
  • the critical interaction between art work, artist and spectator; and
  • the critical significance of process and place in art.
  
   
• City Cultures: Space, Place and Experience

• City Cultures: Space, Place and Experience

  This module explores themes and issues relevant to urban cultures. You will look at:

  • significant examples of urban culture; and
  • dominant theories and histories of the urban environment.
  
   
• Special Study Subject

• Special Study Subject

  This module is an opportunity to engage with current research in the School. Each year, a thematic topic is chosen for this module - previous examples have included Boundaries and There's No Place Like Home.

  
   
• Study Trip