A history of art in 100 objects

What is the course about?

This course is an introductory art history course that focuses on the methods art historians use to develop an understanding of a work of art. It will work globally and chronologically to examine themes that arise throughout the history of art. Each week we will look at a variety of cultures to explore similarities and differences across art objects and the ways in which art historians have discussed them.

We look at broad themes across the history of art including, but not limited to: art making processes, materiality (how an artwork was used), political propaganda, the impacts of museum display and colonialism, historiography (or the history of interpretation), spirituality and the possible intentions behind human creation.

This course is designed to introduce students to a variety of different ways that art historians look at art. Its broad remit is meant to empower students to be more critical viewers of art and its histories. This is by no means ‘the’ history of art. It is ‘a’ history of art that can help to lay the foundation for future exploration.

The course will take place at various museums including the British Museum, the V&A and National Gallery. The first session will take place at City Lit. You will be sent Term 1 meeting points within a week of the course start date.

This course takes place over 2 terms. It does not meet on the following dates: 28/10; 16/12; 23/12; 30/12; 6/01; 17/02.

What will we cover?

• The interpretation of art by art historians and museums and how this impacts our perception of art works
• A chronological (timeline) of art from roughly 3,000 BCE to 1900 CE
• Different methods used by art historians
• A critique of museum display and collecting practices
• Painting, sculpture, decorative arts, works on paper and textiles.

What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...

• Confidently look at art and begin to explore it meaning
• Describe/explain the impact of museum display on our relationship to art
• Identify key visual elements associated with some of the time periods/art materials covered in this course.

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?

This course is suitable for all levels. However, please note that the course will contain contemporary art historical content related to decolonisation of museum collections and ownership of historic artefacts. It will engage with critical concepts including, but not limited to, colonisation, European representation of non-European/ancient peoples, their art and cultures.

You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safety information, and will be invited to take part in group discussion.

How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?

The course will be taught with a mixture of gallery-based lecture, group discussion and interactive group activities. Handouts will be provided by your tutor, made available digitally on Google Classroom to support your learning on the course. You will be emailed an invitation to the Google Classroom within one week of the course start date. There will be a 20-30 minute break during the class session.

This course has homework in the form of short readings, watching video clips and reflecting in your own words. You are not assessed on these elements; they are part of the scope of the course meant to help you consolidate the materials and will be the basis of many of our discussions.

This course takes place offsite in galleries around London. Offsite courses take place during public access hours. Tutors are not able to control sound levels or behaviours of visitors outside of the course group, gallery closures or fire alarms. Unless you are a wheelchair user, and have confirmed access details with us (as levels of access can vary between buildings), you will need to be able to walk between sites and stand for some time while looking at them (you may bring your own portable stool if you have one, but we cannot guarantee access to seating offsite.) If you feel you may be impacted by these environmental variations, please inform the department on humanities@citylit.ac.uk before the course begins, to discuss reasonable accommodations we can make to assist your learning in offsite.

Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?

You might wish to bring a notebook. You might wish to buy some of the books on any reading list given out in class. You might want to invest in a portable gallery stool.

In each session we take a 20-30 minute tea/coffee break in the gallery coffee shop to rest our legs and discuss what we have seen. You may wish to bring some money for this break, or your own snack/drink for this rest break.

Gallery/Museum entry is free.

When I've finished, what course can I do next?

A history of modern art in 50 objects
Introduction to contemporary art: ideas and origins.