FA2IHA6: History of Art 6

Module code: FA2IHA6

Module provider: Art; School of Arts and Communication Design

Credits: 20

Level: Level 2 (Intermediate)

When you'll be taught: Semester 2

Module convenor: Dr James Hellings, email: j.hellings@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: No

Last updated: 20 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

The module aims to:

• enable students to develop a critical understanding of a range of historical and philosophical problems that emerge from contemporary art. 
• enable students to develop a critical understanding of aesthetics, i.e. both as a philosophy of art and as a philosophy of experience.   
• enable students to research a range of solutions to the historical and philosophical problems contemporary art poses.  
• enable students to analyse and evaluate such solutions, and form them into a coherent argument and/or critical position.  
• consolidate students skills in debate and discussion and correctly formatting written coursework, according to the university code of practice.    

The purpose of the module is to provide students with an advanced understanding of contemporary art and aesthetics, together with the discursive skills to express the differing solutions for the problems posed by contemporary art. 

Another purpose of the module is to provide students with key transferable skills eminently suitable for the workplace such as observation (close and focussed looking, formal analysis), judgement (reflective thinking, textual analysis, argumentation and evaluation), and action (discussing and debating, reading and writing, note-taking, and the forming of independent critical positions).  

One of the main features of this module is that the weekly sessions are student-led, collective efforts toward deeper understanding of philosophical problems that emerge from contemporary art.   

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to: 

1. Research contemporary art and aesthetics. 
2. Analyse historical and philosophical accounts of contemporary art and aesthetics. 
3. Argue and evaluate the potential problems and solutions emerging from contemporary art and aesthetics thereby forming an independent critical position. 
4. Format an essay, according to the university code of practice.  

Module content

The module begins with the problem of aesthetic education, and proposes a number of intellectual and practical solutions. We then investigate and discuss philosophical problems that emerge in contemporary art. We go on to discuss contemporary aesthetic categories, i.e. Kant’s concept of beauty, together with its legacy. There follows a series of potential solutions to the question: What is art? 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The module contains lectures, seminars, (group) tutorials, screenings, and an exhibition visit. Students are encouraged to be active in all sessions, to ask questions, to take notes, to listen attentively, and to debate critical positions and possible solutions to the problems posed by contemporary art. Screenings and reading lists are provided. 

Students are introduced to assessment (what, where, and when) at the very beginning of the module, and they are supported throughout (via formative assessment, email, group tutorials, Academic Tutors, and Study Advice). 

Assessment points, briefs and deadlines are introduced at the start of the module. 

Study hours

At least 33 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Essay Plan and written feedback.

Reassessment

Additional costs