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Unit information: Approaching the Object in 2022/23

Please note: you are viewing unit and programme information for a past academic year. Please see the current academic year for up to date information.

Unit name Approaching the Object
Unit code HART10007
Credit points 20
Level of study C/4
Teaching block(s) Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12)
Unit director Dr. Ann Matchette
Open unit status Not open
Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units)

None

Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units)

None

Units you may not take alongside this one
School/department Department of History of Art (Historical Studies)
Faculty Faculty of Arts

Unit Information

In this unit we will be introducing you to some of the key skills that will carry you through your degree. The most important aim of the unit is to encourage you to read, write and think as an art historian and to introduce you to the challenges and the excitement of actually exploring the discipline yourself. This unit will be taught by a series of lectures and seminars. Everyone attends the 20 hours of lectures which include a large number of field trips within Bristol. You are then divided into smaller groups for the accompanying seminars. By the end of the unit you should have acquired key skills in visual analysis and an understanding of the core concepts used by art historians. You should understand what is distinctive about the study of art history and understand why art historians study their subject in the ways they do. You should also be able to reflect upon the complex relationship between evidence and interpretation, and to think about the nature of academic debate.

Your learning on this unit

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. demonstrate an understanding of different approaches to the history of art, and be able to reflect critically upon these different approaches;
  2. utilise iconographical skills and conduct visual analysis;
  3. avoid plagiarism in their own work;
  4. demonstrate good presentation skills, appropriate to level 4.

How you will learn

Classes will involve a combination of long- and short-form lectures, class discussion, investigative activities that may include site visits, and practical activities. Students will be expected to engage with readings and participate on a weekly basis. This will be further supported with drop-in sessions and self-directed exercises with tutor and peer feedback.

How you will be assessed

Plagiarism test (students are required to pass this in order to complete the unit) [ILO 3]

One 2000-word reflective journal (50%) [ILOs 1, 2]

One presentation (50%) [ILOs 1, 2, 4]

Resources

If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.

If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. HART10007).

How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks, independent learning and assessment activity.

See the Faculty workload statement relating to this unit for more information.

Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit. The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. If you have self-certificated your absence from an assessment, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (this is usually in the next assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any extenuating circumstances and operates within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.

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