Admission requirements
Same as admission requirements for the BA Art History/BA Arts, Media and Society.
NB: This course has replaced The Social Roles of Art in the Modern and Contemporary Period per 2025-2026.
Description
This course focuses on how artworks are made, offering students an introduction into art history through its materials, processes, and techniques. Students will be introduced to a wide range of materials, techniques and processes over the centuries relating to paintings, prints, drawings, sculpture, photography and the applied arts. Each method and material will be examined using case-study examples. Rather than a strict chronology, classes will be structured around specific techniques and materials and their application by different artists. The course will also introduce students to the terminology of art history.
Course objectives
Students acquire knowledge of and develop insight into some specific aspects of the history of art production in Western culture.
Students acquire knowledge of the terminology used in describing and analyzing materials, processes and techniques of works of art.
Students gain insight into the technical and material characteristics of works of art and learn to recognize and name them (painting techniques and materials, printing techniques, sculpture techniques, photographic techniques, applied art, etc.).
Timetable
The timetables are available through My Timetable.
Mode of instruction
Lecture
Assessment method
Assessment
Two written examinations with a mix of closed questions (multiple choice, fill in the blank), and short open questions.
Weighing
Midterm exam, weighted 50%
Final exam, weighted 50%
The final mark for the course is established by determining the weighted average. To pass the course, the weighted average of the partial grades must be 5.5 or higher.
Resit
A resit examination can be done for examinations which are failed. As far as applicable all resits take place at the same time, after the final (constituent) examination.
Inspection and feedback
How and when an exam review will take place will be disclosed together with the publication of the exam results at the latest. If a student requests a review within 30 days after publication of the exam results, an exam review will have to be organized.
Reading list
To be announced on Brightspace.
Registration
Enrolment through MyStudyMap is mandatory.
General information about course and exam enrolment is available on the website.
Registration À la carte education, Contract teaching and Exchange
Information for those interested in taking this course in context of À la carte education (without taking examinations), eg. about costs, registration and conditions.
Information for those interested in taking this course in context of Contract teaching (with taking examinations), eg. about costs, registration and conditions.
For the registration of exchange students contact Humanities International Office.
Contact
For substantive questions, contact the lecturer listed in the right information bar.
For questions about enrolment, admission, etc, contact the Education Administration Office: Arsenaal
Remarks
Not applicable.