History of Art

 

 

History of Art is an academic Advanced Level course, which is readily accepted by universities. It is concerned with the study of European painting, sculpture and architecture, and approaches our cultural and historical heritage in a new way. The specification explores the foundations of the Modern tradition from Antiquity to the twentieth century. A general interest in art and architecture is all that is required to embark on the course.

 

OUTLINE AS COURSE

 

This course concentrates on developing girls ability to analyse and interpret a variety of works of architecture, painting and sculpture, alongside an understanding of some of the major themes of History of Art.

 

Unit 1:  Visual Analysis and Interpretation – an introduction to the methodology and terminology of History of Art.

           

 

Unit 2:  Themes in History of Art – from Classical Greece to the end of the twentieth century (500 BC – 2000 AD).

           

 

Assessment:      The examinations will take the form of visual analysis of photographs of works from the period studied and essay questions.

 

OUTLINE A2 COURSE

 

This course focuses on in-depth studies of prescribed periods and locations. You will be assessed on your knowledge, understanding and communication of skills.

 

Unit 3:  In-depth analysis of a specified period (investigation and interpretation) – from, or relating to, those studied in the AS course. This is likely to be ‘Art and Architecture in fifteenth-century Europe’ or ‘Art and Architecture in seventeenth-century Europe’.

            25% of the total A Level marks

 

Unit 4:  In-depth analysis of a specified period (investigation and interpretation) – this is likely to be either ‘Art and Architecture in eighteenth-century Europe’ or ‘Art and Architecture in Europe and the United States of America 1900 – 1945’.

            25% of the total A Level marks

 

Assessment:      The examinations will take the form of essay questions.There is no coursework unit.

 

AIMS

 

AS and A Level courses based on this specification should encourage candidates to develop and communicate their knowledge and understanding of:

 

• the roles and achievements of practitioners

• the relationship between society and art

• art historical terms, concepts and issues

• methods of researching, investigating and analysing

• use of evidence and how works are interpreted and evaluated.

 

 

 

The course enlarges girls’ experience of works of art and architecture and, at the same time, gives them the confidence to think and write critically and to make informed aesthetic judgements. The works studied are placed in their social and historical contexts so that the ways in which they reflect society can be appreciated. History of Art combines well with any other humanities subject and foreign languages.