Prospectus

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Decorative Arts & Design: Sources and Contexts, Narratives of Taste

Course
2011-2012

Admission requirements

See M.A. Art History program guide and Exam regulations.

Description

In this seminar, we will examine written texts on design, both Western and non-Western, from the 16th until the 20th century. The texts can be letters, memoirs, novels, design theories, all having something to say about material culture in general and design & decorative art in particular. We shall consider these texts as narratives and analyse how they relate to their historical context. We will analyse the concept of taste and beauty and the concept of gender with regard to these texts. For the most part, the texts give personal judgments on ornament and style, on fashionable items and on what is or is not ‘right’ and ‘good’ in terms of design and taste. They can be part of a specific artistic discourse, a general discourse of a social and cultural nature, a philosophical discourse or a highly personal discourse. Students will each work with two texts, first analyse these texts in depth on their narrative structure and qualities and then relate them to existing artifacts and interiors of their time by studying the historical context that relates to the period of the texts. Texts may be read in various preferred languages but the seminar will be in English.

Course objectives

Students learn to:

  • work with original source texts on any aspect of design and decorative arts

  • analyse these source texts in a critical way, examine their narrative structure and the implications of this structure, and relate them to a historical context of discussions wich are relevant for decorative art, design and material culture of their time

  • present an academic paper about their results before the class

  • present their results into a written paper on an academic level

Timetable

See the timetable on the department website.

Mode of instruction

Research seminar. We will also visit an exhibition.

Assessment method - participation in discussion

  • oral presentation during the seminars 20%

  • written paper 80% (5000 words, 1.5 spacing excl notes and references)

Blackboard

Blackboard will be used for assignments and communication in general.

Reading list

Texts will appear on BB by the end of August before the start of the course.
For an indication of the texts and course content see the Open Course Ware website:

http://ocw.leidenuniv.nl/imported/decorative-arts-design-sources-and-contexts-narratives-of-taste/course-home/

Registration

Students have to register for this course in uSis, the registration system of the university: http://www.usis.leidenuniv.nl. General information about registration in uSis you can find here in Dutch and in English.

Exchange and Study Abroad students, please see the Study in Leiden website for information on how to apply.

Contact information

Email: Mw Dr. M.H. Groot

Remarks

As a compulsory course of the specialisation Design and Decorative Art Studies of the MA Art History this course aims to teach you to work with written sources and to learn understand the methods and problems these sources might bring along when carrying out research on a specialist level with regard to a chosen subject and period of time – hence the time span from the 16th until the 20th century. The course is a necessary part of this MA specialisation Design and Decorative Art Studies, and makes up this specialisation together with a specialist reading list, a second specialist course on Contemporary Design and Art in semester 2, an apprenticeship or third general course, and your MA thesis.