History of Art

Themes in European Art 1450-1700

This module will focus on an aspect of European art from the period 1450-1700. Irrespective of the focus chosen (examples might be 'Italian art 1450-1550', 'Italy and Northern Europe in the Sixteenth Century' or 'Netherlandish art of the Seventeenth Century') you will gain an understanding of all or most of the following themes: the types of patronage prevalent in the period; the relationship between artists, patrons and centres; the range of subject-matter represented and the ways in which subjects were approached/developed; the organisation of workshop practice; prints and their role in disseminating artistic ideas; and the relationship between art and religion.

Themes in Eighteenth and Nineteenth-Century European Art

This module will focus on an aspect of European art from the period 1700-1900. Irrespective of the focus chosen (examples might be 'Art in Eighteenth-Century France', 'British Art from Hogarth to Turner', 'Nineteenth-Century European Art' or 'The Gothic Revival') particular reference will be made to the social, political and economic contexts of art, and you will gain an understanding of all or most of the following themes: questions of nationalism and internationalism; the importance of the art market and public exhibitions; the development of academies; relationships between different media; artistic revivals; and the rise of new audiences for art.

Themes in Modern Art

This module will focus on European and American art from c.1850 up to the present. The historical content to be studied may range from early modern architecture and design to realist and modernist artistic practices in central and western Europe and the United States, the areas of emphasis being determined by the module leader that year. You will gain an understanding of all or most of the following themes: the 'modernist paradigm' and its critique; the notion of the avant-garde; alternatives to main-stream modernism; art and everyday life, popular culture and technology; art and politics; issues of gender and cultural diversity; art markets and institutions; and new artistic media.

Anthropology of Art

A study of anthropological approaches to art, especially art produced by non-western, small-scale societies. This module also investigates the possibility of cross-cultural aesthetics, the anthropology of museums (especially the Pitt-Rivers Museum, Oxford), and anthropological dimensions of contemporary art worlds, globally.

Advanced Seminars in the History of Art, 1 and 2

A concentrated study of a specialised topic which enables you to deepen your understanding of art-historical knowledge and methods. In each year there will be a choice of topics which, while building on capabilities acquired in the Themes modules, will not repeat material studied in those modules. The topics will be closely related to staff research interests, and will foster a familiarity with current research and a critical awareness of recent scholarship in the area under study. Research skills, including an evaluative appreciation of source materials and their uses, will be developed.

Field Work in Art History

This module provides an introduction to advanced fieldwork in art history. Undertaken during the Easter break, it is an intensive one-week study visit to Paris. During the visit you will participate in a range of staff-guided and self-managed visit options, including architectural/urban studies, visits to permanent galleries/museums and temporary exhibitions.

Oxford Buildings

A study of buildings in their social, environmental and architectural context, selected from the wide possibilities available in Oxford. The module stresses the direct study of buildings and incorporates site visits as well as classroom sessions.

Curatorial Practice

This module aims to give students knowledge and direct experience of the theoretical and practical issues involved in curating displays and exhibitions of historic and contemporary art. Themes will typically include: theories of curating; curating contemporary art; curating historic exhibitions; practical issues such as proposals, loans, funding, displays, lighting, layout, catalogues, interpretation.

Independent Study in History of Art

A module involving study under the supervision of one or more members of the History of Art staff, but designed by an individual or small group of students. The subject might be in response to a current exhibition, or an issue in the field of art history or criticism, be related to staff research, or might involve vocational work. It might be a specialised topic arising out of an advanced module.

Advanced Seminars in the History of Art, 1 and 2

A concentrated study of a specialised topic which enables you to deepen your understanding of art-historical knowledge and methods. In each year there will be a choice of topics which, while building on capabilities acquired in the Themes modules, will not repeat material studied in those modules. The topics will be closely related to staff research interests, and will foster a familiarity with current research and a critical awareness of recent scholarship in the area under study. Research skills, including an evaluative appreciation of source materials and their uses, will be developed.

History of Art Synoptic

This module offers you the opportunity to look back upon your art historical studies at Brookes, encouraging you to make connections, observe parallels and notice contradictions between material and ideas encountered in different modules, and thus develop an informed and critical overview of the history of art. Some unfamiliar material will give you the chance to apply skills and knowledge acquired during the course. The module also requires you to reflect on your own progress during the course, with the aim of enabling you to identify the skills, knowledge and awareness that will be of use to you in the future.

History of Art Dissertation

This double module gives you an opportunity to carry out a critical examination, through research and extended written work, of an art-historical subject, theme or issue. The topic is selected by you in consultation with History of Art staff. Research skills, including an evaluative appreciation of source materials and their uses, will be developed. Depending on the topic chosen, the module may enable you to draw upon an awareness of the complexity of global cultures, and/or to interrogate the role played by class and gender dynamics, thus developing your global citizenship. This module gives you the opportunity to apply, at the highest undergraduate level, the skills of researching, analysing and communicating developed in the level four, five and six modules in the investigation of a topic of your own choosing.

Choose from the modules listed in year 2.

Work placements

There are many opportunities available to History of Art students in Oxford; you can gain work experience in museums, galleries, and auction houses. The University’s own exhibition space, the Glass Tank, offers two placements to History of Art students each year. Our undergraduates have also held both voluntary and paid positions at the Ashmolean, Modern Art Oxford, Sanders printsellers, and Mallams auctioneers. Our module on curatorial practice also offers direct experience of the theoretical and practical issues involved in curating displays and exhibitions.