Admission requirements
Same as admission requirements for the BA Art History.
Description
Art and architecture are forms of universal human expression. Across the world, in all ages, human cultures have produced architecture, painting , sculpture and drawings to give visible form to their dreams beliefs, dreams, fears or desires. They have also used art to act on its viewers: to inspire fear, love or admiration; or to express social, political or religious values and identities. In this introductory course to the study of art across the world we look at four major themes and functions of art: the power of art works to act on their viewers; art and religion; art and identity; and art and the afterlife. In a series of lectures we will show how these themes and functions occur across the world and in all ages. The lecture course will thus offer a panorama of the vast range of approaches to the study of art practised at Leiden University.
Mission statement
This course aims to create an awareness that art is an integral part of human life. In all cultures across time and space, the visual arts appear interwoven with crucial dimensions of being human – how we think of ourselves, what we believe, what we value, what we hope. Visual art both expresses and communicates such views, as this course sets out to demonstrate by means of in-depth case studies presenting examples drawn from a variety of cultures worldwide.
In this introductory course to the study of art across the world we look at four major themes and functions of art:
Art and Religion
Art and the Cult of the Dead
Art’s Agency
Art and Identity.
In a series of 12 lectures we will show how these themes and functions occur across the world and in all ages, from prehistory to the present day. Guest speakers from the National Museum of Antiquity and the National Museum of World Cultures will shed light on various topics against the background of museum collections. The course will thus offer a panorama of the vast range of approaches to the study of art practiced in Leiden, and the rich worldwide collections of both the University and the city’s museums.
Course objectives
Having some insight in and being able to value the richness, varieties and development of art across the world.
Being familiar with major forms and technical and physical aspects of the visual and applied arts and architecture from prehistory to the present.
Being acquainted with and able to make use of the main sources and handbooks on world art studies.
Having insight into the main scholarly approaches to world art studies.
Timetable
Please note: for the final schedule refer to Collegeroosters / Timetable BA Art History on the Art History website.
Mode of instruction
- Lecture series
Important: attendance to these lectures is mandatory. In case of no-show, the tutors should be informed about your absence prior to the actual lecture. Moreover this course cannot be successfully completed by students that were absent more than twice. Only in exceptional cases, the Examination Committee may consider the possibility of an additional or substitute assignment. See also the Course and Examination Regulations.
Course Load
Course load in summary: 5 ects (140 hrs)
24 hours: Attendance of the lectures: 2 hrs weekly x 12 weeks
40 hours: Required readings (c. 280 pages à 7 pages/hr)
30 hours: Preparing and writing the written assignment
46 hours: Preparation of a final written exam —
140 hrs
Assessment method
A written assignment of 800-1000 words (explained in Lecture 1) (40%).
Written exam (60%).
Compensation: The weighted average of all assessments should be at least 6.0 and both parts need to have a grade superior to 5.5.
Resit: If the essay is graded below 5.5 it can be resubmitted once. There will be one general re-sit for the final written exam.
Exam review: 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.
Blackboard
Blackboard will be used to make course materials accessible.
Reading list
James Ekins, Stories of Art. New York/London: Routledge 2002 isbn 0-415-93943-7
Registration
Via uSis.
General information about uSis is available in English and Dutch.
Exchange and Study Abroad students, please see the Study in Leiden website for information on how to apply.
Registration Studeren à la Carte and Contractonderwijs
Sign up for Studeren à la Carte
Sign up for [Contractonderwijs](www.hum.leidenuniv.nl/onderwijs/contractonderwijs/ "contract-based education")
Contact
Or send an e-mail to the study coordinator of the BA Art History / Arts, Media and Society
Remarks
N.a.