How do we approach the writing of Art History?  Methodologies of Art History explores the various approaches to Art History and examines in considerable detail the methodological strategies adopted by Art Historians over the past century.  These include iconographic and semiotic methodologies, structuralist and post-structuralist approaches, sociological and Marxist perspectives, the feminist critique of art history; psychoanalytical methodologies; formalist methodologies; connoisseurship and biographical methodologies and uses of art criticism and aesthetics by art historians.

On completing this course, students will be able to:

1. critically examine art historical methodologies ranging from formalism, iconology and biographic methods through to semiotics, post-structuralism and engendered readings.
2. apply art historical methodologies to their own research and writing.
3. understand the discipline of art history as it developed from classical antiquity through to the present.
4. speak with confidence about the methodologies of art history and defend particular viewpoints. 

Forum presentation and research paper (6000 words) - 50% (Learning outcomes 1, 2, 3 and 4)

Forum chair/responder and paper on key issues/questions (2000 words) - 20% (Learning outcome 1, 3 and 4)

Short writing exercises based on forum topics (3 x 1000 words) - 30% (Learning outcomes 1 and 4)

Contact hours include a one hour lecture followed by a two hour forum.  The forums will take various forms, including:

• seminar presentations followed by question and answer sessions.
• structured group discussion.
• films and documentaries that have had a signficant impact on the discipline of Art History, followed by discussion.

 Students are expected to complete an average of 17 hours per week outside these contact hours.

This course is only open to Masters students who have a background in Art History.

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D’Alleva, Anne 2010, How to Write Art History, Laurence King, London, pp. 144-169 

Minor, Vernon Hyde 2000, Art History’s History, 2^nd edn, Prentice Hall, New York, pp. 29-84 

Preziosi, Donald (ed.) 2009, The Art of Art History: A Critical Anthology, Oxford University Press, Oxford, pp. 13-44