Art at the Tudor Courts, 1485-1603

Code

HART2036

School

Cultural, Media and Visual Studies

Level

2

Credits

20

Semesters

Autumn UK

Summary

This course will provide an introduction to visual art at the Tudor courts, from the accession of Henry VII in 1485 to the death of Elizabeth I in 1603. In doing so, it takes account of a wide range of art forms, from portraiture to pageantry, jewellery to the book. Key issues dealt with in lectures and seminars include contemporary theories of visuality and monarchy, the particular context of court culture, and the use of visual material in the service of self -fashioning. It considers the impact of major historical developments including the reformation and the advent of print. As such, the relationship of the arts to politics is a key theme. Through exploring the highly sophisticated uses of visual art at the Tudor courts, the course seeks to re-evaluate the common idea that English art at the time was isolationist and inferior to that of continental Europe.

Target Students

Only available for History of Arts students and Liberal Arts students. Also available for CMVS Exchange students.

Classes

• One 1-hour seminar each week for 10 weeks
• One 2-hour lecture each week for 10 weeks

Assessment

• 100% Coursework: 3,000 words portfolio of written work and equivalent

Assessed by end of autumn semester

Educational Aims

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding: 
To be able to explain and interpret different art historical points of view and methods regarding the study of the English Renaissance Courts

To have a broad and comparative knowledge and understanding of aspects of imagery produced for the elite classes of princes

To have a clear sense of the different kinds of visual and literary material examined for this module

To think critically about the importance of the representation of the "prince" as an ideal ruler
 

To have the ability to deploy productive criticism of familiar artefacts and arguments
 

To develop interdisciplinarity 

To have a clear sense of the different kinds of material they examine, whether visual or textual, and be able to distinguish between primary and secondary sources

Students will have been introduced to different kinds of material, both visual and textual

Professional and Practical Skills: 
To develop skills working both independently and as part of a group through participation in seminar discussions. To use IT to access art historical sources and information, and to complete historical assignments
 

Transferable (key) Skills: 
The ability to articulate historical knowledge; to analyse visual evidence; to read texts critically; to develop reasoned argument through essays and seminar discussions

Professional Practical Skills:
Plan, research and write up assignments
 

Use IT to access art historical sources and information

Select, sift and synthesize information from a wide range of sources
 

Identify and compare key arguments in primary and/or secondary source materials
 

Demonstrate independence of judgement

Use IT to word process assignments

Transferable (key) Skills:
Work and learn actively with others in a group-work situation
 

Oral communication skills
 

Use IT for research purposes

 

Express themselves clearly, coherently and fluently in writing through essays and reports

Give a clear, fluent and well-structured oral presentation
 

Work and learn actively with others

Manage and take responsibility for their own learning

Conveners

• Dr Gabriele Neher