This course provides postgraduate education in the history of art and architecture. Students are taught in a supportive environment and develop professional competence and the capacity to conduct supervised research in an aspect of the history of art or architecture. The course meets the needs of teachers, professionals in cultural institutions, and those hoping to undertake research for the Ph.D. degree. The course consists of five modules and writing a dissertation of approximately 21,000 words. Modules are delivered in the late afternoon on three days during the twelve weeks of both the Autumn and Spring semesters. The history of art and architecture is a visual discipline with a focus on works of art and architecture: looking is central to the subject and art works are the key primary sources. The student will learn how to engage with a visual language, how to examine an art work (or a series of art-works) carefully, and will consider how to interpret the work or works and place them in an art historical context. Issues of patronage and collections are also examined. A student may complete the programme in either one or two academic years. Those taking two years research and complete the dissertation during in the second year. Student can complete the course by taking only History of Art and Architecture modules (Electives A) or if they wish, they can take modules offered by the MA in History and MA in History of Family (Electives B).
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