BA History of Art and History

UCAS code: VV14
Length: 3 years

Summary of course aims

The History element of the syllabus aims to familiarise students with an extremely broad chronological range, whilst providing them with the opportunity of specialisation in particular periods and topics of British, European and American history. It also enables students to pursue their own interests through independent study and a substantial dissertation. Using a variety of approaches to the study of history, students will develop:

• the ability to analyse change over time
• to understand the nature of causal relationships
• to handle comparative, cross-cultural and abstract concepts Additionally, students will refine the following subject-based skills:
• the collection and synthesis of large quantities of information
• the critical evaluation of primary and secondary sources
• the making of effective and substantial judgements, and engagement in debate on historical issues.

The History of Art element aims to provide a framework for examining changing categories of art, architecture and visual artefacts in different places and times. It will develop advanced skills in analysing visual culture and embed the examination of its production and reception within distinct cultural and social contexts. It will foster a critical understanding of the relationship between contemporary conceptions of art, architecture, visual artefacts and culture, and those held elsewhere in other periods, promoting a conception of history of art as a dynamic discipline encompassing divergent, sometimes conflicting, approaches and views.

Course content

The course is divided into 3 Parts (years). You must take 120 credits in each Part.

Part 1 introduces the disciplines. The History modules focus on historical causation and contextualisation and the use of sources in the discipline. Part I in History of Art includes both the study of Art histories, artists, architects and practices and provides an introduction to aspects of History of Art.

Part 2 students in History take Early Modern and Modern modules which are combined with modules from History of Art.Students have the opportunity to undertake take a module which allows a study trip abroad. In addition in Part 2, 5 are taken up by Career Management Skills.

Part 3 students combine the subject areas from History and History of Art to undertake their dissertation.

For a full description of this degree course with the required compulsory and optional modules, please download the programme specification. Please note that you are advised to check that this course is running for the next academic year.

http://www.info.reading.ac.uk/progspecs/prog-index.asp

Career prospects

A number of specialised careers are open to History and History of Art graduates, such as jobs in museums, auction houses, and increasingly the heritage and leisure industries. As such they are eagerly sought after by employers.In addition they are given specific vocational training and orientation through a second year Career Management Scheme in conjunction with the Careers Advisory Service. Their visual skills also make them attractive to the advertising industry. In addition the skills which History and History of Art graduates acquire, such as analytical abilities, problem solving, research skills, independence and adaptability, mean they are sought after for jobs in a wide range of fields, including publishing, teaching, social work, accountancy, personnel, banking and commerce,

retailing, marketing, IT, civil service and local government. A number of students go on to postgraduate study in either History or History of Art, at MA and also at PhD level, both at Reading and elsewhere.

Opportunities for study abroad

Students in History and the History of Art have the opportunity to spend a period of study abroad during Part 2 as part of the Socrates scheme.