Art History

First year

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Objectives
Program
Specializations
Master’s thesis and requirements for graduation

2010-2011

Objectives

The aim of the Master programme in Art History is to educate critical and self-reflexive art historians who are ready to pursue a career in the field of art history, the art world, or beyond. In the course of the programme, students develop a thorough knowledge of the concepts, methods and techniques for the studying of art objects, design, and architecture within their chosen specialisation, whilst also gaining insight into the development and social relevance of the field in general. Up to 40-50 ec of the total programme of 60 ec can be devoted to the field of specialisation.

Graduates of the programme will be able to independently identify and collect specialist literature using both traditional and modern techniques (heuristic skills). They can analyse such literature and assess its quality and reliability, under professional supervision. They can formulate clear and well-argued research questions and subdivide them into orderly and manageable sub-questions. They can present research results in a clear and well argued manner, both orally and in writing. They will be able to plan and carry out a research project under professional supervision.

Upon completion of this programme, students will have the knowledge and competences required for positions outside the university that require an academic level of thinking, for an upper secondary teaching qualification or for a PhD candidature. Moreover, after completing this programme, students of Art History have the knowledge and competence required to train for an upper secondary teaching qualification.

Also see: http://hum.leiden.edu/students/regulations/.

Program

Introduction
The Master’s programme in Art History is a comprehensive one-year programme in Art History. It is taught in English. In addition to offering training in one of the areas of specialisation, the programme introduces students to current theories and methodologies of scholarly practice. The study of Art History combines methods based on texts as well as on objects. Throughout the programme students will have the advantage of Leiden University’s proximity to a number of major museums, collections, libraries and research schools, accessing a range of unique texts and works of art. These include:

• The National Museum for Ethnology

• Municipal Museum de Lakenhal/Scheltema loca¬tion for contemporary art

• Museum for the History of Science

• National Museum of Antiquities

• Leiden University Library with its special collections of prints, drawings and photography

The Master’s programme consists of two semesters. The courses are offered in units covering a number of weeks, or running the whole semester.

First Semester
The first semester will focus mainly on deepening the knowledge in and understanding of the field of Art History. Students chose a research seminar in their field of specialisation, and a second (lecture) seminar which can be either in the field of specialisation or in a different field. These research and lecture seminars provide an in-depth study in an area of specialisation, focussing on the selection and critical use of different types of primary sources. The study of art is analysed in a cultural and historical context. The seminars also train students in formulating research questions and planning a research project. In addition, all students are expected to participate in the plenary seminar Practices and Debates which discusses current issues, discourses and methods of Art History. Students also study an independent reading list during their first semester, focussing on either a discipline or period of specialisation.

Second Semester
In the second semester students follow an individually tailored programme in line with their field of specialisation, consisting of a Free Component, an oral Literature Exam and a Master’s Thesis. The Free Component (e/g internship) will offer students a first glimpse of the professional practices within their field of interest; it is given form in consultation with the thesis supervisor. Instead of an internship, students can choose an optional master’s course from the Leiden MA programme Art History, or from another institution or university. For the oral exam a literature survey of approximately 700 pages is compiled in consultation with the thesis supervisor, the purpose of which is to place the thesis within a broader context. The study concludes in the writing of a thesis.

Specializations

The program is taught in English. In addition to offering training in one of the areas of specialisation, the programme introduces students to current theories and methodologies of scholarly practice. The following specialisations are offered:

• Art of the Late Middle Ages and Early Modern Period

• Modern and Contemporary Art, and World Art Studies

• Architecture

• Decorative Arts, Industrial Design and the Domestic Interior

Affiliated fields of expertise:

• Museums and Collections

• Art and Material Culture of Asia

Full-time and Part-time
The full-time programme spans one year, the part-time programme eighteen months. The only difference between the two programmes is the length of time required for completion; in content they both cover the six mentioned fields of specialisation.

Master’s thesis and requirements for graduation

In order to graduate, students must have successfully completed the 60 ec programme and their final thesis as a component of that programme. The thesis for the Art History Master’s programme carries 20 ec (15 ec thesis and 5 ec literature in preparation for the thesis), and as a rule contains ca. 18,000 words including notes, bibliography and appendices. Depending on personal preference, the thesis is written either in Dutch or English. The thesis is supervised by a lecturer or professor attached to the School of Art History and who possesses expertise in the relevant field.

See also: http://hum.leiden.edu/students/regulations/.