Art History

Program Overview

Aberystwyth University's BA Art History program combines historical study with practical art engagement. Students explore art history, curate exhibitions, and hone critical thinking skills in a hands-on environment. The program prepares graduates for careers in art, education, publishing, and more, fostering transferable skills in research, communication, and teamwork.

Program Outline

Aberystwyth University - BA Art History (V350)

Degree Overview:

The BA Art History program at Aberystwyth University offers a unique blend of historical study and practical engagement with art. Students will not only learn about the history of art but also actively participate in its creation, curation, and exhibition. The program is housed in a historic building that serves as a hub for artistic practice, providing students with a hands-on experience in a museum environment. The program emphasizes critical thinking and provides a strong foundation for careers in various fields, including education, publishing, journalism, advertising, curating, and art administration. It equips students with essential research and writing skills, ensuring they not only learn how to read art history but also understand what it means to be an art historian.

Outline:

The BA Art History program is a three-year degree program structured as follows:

Year 1:

• Core Modules:
• Looking into Landscape: Reading, Researching, Responding (AH11520):
This module explores the representation of landscapes in art, focusing on reading, researching, and responding to these visual representations.
• Pleasure, Power, and Profit: Art in the Long Eighteenth Century (AH11320): This module examines the role of art in the 18th century, exploring themes of pleasure, power, and profit.
• Representing the Body (AH11720): This module delves into the various ways the human body has been represented in art throughout history.
• Revolutions & Modernities: Art in the Nineteenth Century (AH11420): This module explores the art of the 19th century, focusing on the impact of revolutions and the emergence of modernism.
• Optional Modules:
• Exploring the School of Art Collections: Research and Museums (AH11220):
This module provides students with the opportunity to research and engage with the School of Art's extensive collection of art and artifacts.
• Photography Begins (AH11820): This module introduces students to the origins and development of photography as an art form.

Year 2:

• Core Modules:
• Dissertation Preparation and Professional Practice for Students of Art History (AH21020):
This module prepares students for their dissertation project and provides guidance on professional practice in the field of art history.
• Modernisms: Art in the Early Twentieth Century (AH20520): This module explores the various movements and styles that emerged in early 20th-century art, including Cubism, Expressionism, and Surrealism.
• Postmodernism and Contemporary Art (AH20620): This module examines the development of postmodernism and its impact on contemporary art.
• Gothic Imagination (AH23420): This module examines the Gothic aesthetic and its influence on art and culture.
• Rethinking Impressionism (AH20720): This module offers a fresh perspective on the Impressionist movement, challenging traditional interpretations.

Year 3:

• Core Modules:
• Dissertation (AH32020):
This module culminates in the completion of a substantial research project on a chosen topic in art history.
• Optional Modules:
• Art in Wales (AH33720):
This module focuses on the history and development of art in Wales.
• Curating an Exhibition: Researching, Interpreting and Displaying (AH32720): This module provides students with practical experience in curating an exhibition, from research and interpretation to display.
• Gothic Imagination (AH33420): This module examines the Gothic aesthetic and its influence on art and culture.
• Rethinking Impressionism (AH30720): This module offers a fresh perspective on the Impressionist movement, challenging traditional interpretations.

Assessment:

The program utilizes a variety of assessment methods, including:

• Coursework: Essays, dissertation project, and seminar presentations.
• Exams: To a lesser extent, exams may be used for assessment.
• Practical Assessments: Project work, including curating an exhibition.

Teaching:

The program is delivered through a combination of teaching methods, including:

• Lectures: Provide a comprehensive overview of key concepts and historical periods.
• Seminars: Offer a more interactive and discussion-based learning environment.
• Workshops: Provide practical experience in specific techniques and skills.
• Tutorials: Offer individual guidance and support to students throughout their academic journey.
• Field Trips: Provide opportunities for students to experience art and culture firsthand.
The teaching staff consists of practicing professionals, including exhibiting artists, publishing researchers, and curators, ensuring a stimulating and practice-oriented learning environment.

Careers:

Graduates of the BA Art History program are well-equipped for a variety of careers in the arts and beyond. Potential career paths include:

• Secondary School Teachers: Teaching art history in secondary schools.
• Art Gallery Managers: Managing and overseeing the operations of art galleries.
• Museum or Exhibition Curators: Researching, selecting, and presenting art and artifacts in museums and exhibitions.
• Journalists: Writing about art and culture for newspapers, magazines, and online publications.
• Art Directors in Publishing: Designing and overseeing the visual aspects of books and other publications.
• Conservators of Easel Painting, Ceramics, and Works on Paper: Preserving and restoring works of art.

Other:

• The School of Art is one of only two government-accredited art museums in the UK that also offers a degree program.
• Students have access to the School of Art's internationally renowned collection of prints, photographs, paintings, and ceramics.
• The School of Art provides students with access to a MAC suite, studios, and learning spaces.
• The National Library of Wales, located in Aberystwyth, offers a vast collection of books, maps, prints, manuscripts, and works on paper.
• The program actively promotes transferable skills, such as research, communication, critical thinking, and teamwork, which are highly sought after in today's job market.
• Students have access to work experience opportunities through the Careers Service, GO Wales, and the YES (Year in Employment Scheme).