Course Resources Archive

This module will examine issues, ideologies and theoretical perspectives relating to the production and reception of art. This will include the roles of art education, the art market and the practices of curating and display in galleries and museums.

Through a series of case studies a range of critical frameworks and theoretical perspectives relating to the production and reception of art will be examined. These may include, for example, an examination of the purpose and methods of art education; a consideration of Bourdieu's idea of 'the field of cultural production'; a critical reading of the historical function of public museums and galleries; an examination of the role of gender in art.

A student passing this module should be able to:

1. Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of the roles and operations of key practices and institutions in the  contemporary art world, including, for example, education, museums and the art market
2. Apply a range of critical and theoretical methodologies to the analysis of contemporary art practice, including, for example, formalism, feminism, semiotics and discourse theory
3. Evaluate the place of fine art practice within the broader spectrum of practices associated with visual culture
4. Demonstrate an awareness of, and engagement with, current debates within the art world

The Library Catalogue contains full details of the current reading list for this module. Further details may also be found in the Module Guide.