Art of the Ancient World
Optional module
CX903-30
Taught MA in Ancient Visual and
Material Culture
Taught MA in the Visual and Material
Culture of Ancient Rome
Autumn Term Weeks 3, 5, 7, 9
Spring Terms, Weeks 1, 3, 5, 7, 9
Convenor: Dr Alison Cooley
Module Tutors: Dr Ruth Leader-Newby; Dr Michael Scott; Dr
Suzanne Frey-Kupper
http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/arts/classics/courses/taughtma_visual/epigraphy/
Outline and Aims
This is an optional module for the Taught MA in Ancient Visual and Material Culture
and Taught MA in the Visual and Material Culture of Rome. It is designed to introduce
students to major issues in the study of ancient art, and to key methodologies and
approaches. The module will introduce students to the many different forms taken by art
in the ancient world and the ways that this material can be approached and used in the
study of wider historical issues. It will help to fulfil the MA’s aim to develop a wideranging and detailed knowledge of the visual culture of the ancient world as well as to
develop students’ critical and conceptual understanding of the methodological issues
relating to its study.
It will help to develop students’ intellectual skills in the following areas:
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Skills of visual analysis including ability to recognise and interpret different
iconographies and to analyse different artistic styles
Awareness of the constraints and possibilities of different artistic methods and
media
Appreciation of methodological issues in dealing with visual evidence
Understanding of the ways that visual and material evidence has been studied
since Antiquity
Ability to present structured chain of argument drawing together evidence into
cohesive whole
Ability to select & apply appropriate problem-solving methodologies
Ability to conduct independent research & analysis
It will also help to develop the following key transferable skills:
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Written and oral communication skills
Organisational skills
Ability to evaluate intellectual progress
IT skills - word processing/ use of internet
Schedule
Autumn term, weeks 3, 5 = Thurs 11-1 H229 (RLN); Week 7 = Mon trip to BM; Week 9
= Tues 10-12 H204 (MS)
Spring term, week 1 tbc (SFK); weeks 3, 5, 7, 9 Thurs 11-1 H229 (RLN)
Syllabus
Autumn Term
Week 3
Week 5
Week 7
18/10 11-1
01/11 11-1
12/11 tbc
Week 9
27/11 10-12 H204 MS
Spring Term
Week 1
tbc
Week 3
Week 5
Week 7
Week 9
tbc
24/01
07/02
21/02
07/03
tbc
11-1
11-1
11-1
11-1
H229 RLN
H229 RLN
BM MS
SFK
H229
H229
H229
H229
What Counts as Art?
A Brief History of Ancient Art
The questions we ask of ancient art:
Trip to BM
Art and Propaganda
Funerary Art and Self-Representation
RLN Art and Identity
RLN Art and Narrative
RLN Art and Text
RLN (& Michael/Suzanne, depending on
topics of essays) Essay discussions
Assessment: 5,000 word essay
Deadline for essay title to be approved by AC:
Thursday 28th February 2013, 12 noon
Deadline for essay to be submitted:
Wednesday 24th April 2013, 12 noon