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This module is designed to develop in students the skills of careful looking, and detailed visual analysis, grounded in a strong awareness of the major theoretical issues, which are central to research in the history of Greek art. It will take the form of a series of seminars addressing key themes in the history and historiography of Greek art through detailed consideration of specific works of art in the British Museum and other London museums, where most classes will be held. Alongside traditional concerns with issues of style and iconography, a particular emphasis will be laid on questions of facture, materiality and agency which have been at the centre of recent discussions in archaeology, the anthropology of art and art history. Particular themes and classes may vary from year to year to reflect students own research interests, new publications and special exhibitions.Ìý

Provisional list of topics:Ìý1. Geometric Greek art: problems of beginnings; 2. Early Greek art in a Mediterranean world: the orientalising phenomenon; 3. An archaic aesthetic? 4. The problem of 'the artist' in sculpture and vase-painting. 5. Period styles in fifth century art. 6. Death and commemoration: social and regional variations in fourth century funerary art. 7. Art, the body and 'naturalism'. 8. Portraiture and identity in late classical and Hellenistic art. 9. Materialism, luxury and consumption in Hellenistic art,

Aims and Objectives of the course

• To provide a proseminar for the study of Greek art at an advanced level, preparing students to develop dissertation research at MA level and beyond
• To provide an advanced level exploration of classic and contemporary theoretical frameworks and methodologies for the understanding of Greek art.
• To provide a basis in skills of problem definition and visual analysis prerequisite to developing innovative research in Greek art.
• To offer the possibility studying at first hand some of the major monuments of Greek art through the collections of the British Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum
• To address a range of key problems in the history of Greek art through close engagement with collections of museums in London.

Learning Outcomes

• Students will develop and advanced critical understanding of a range of key issues in the history and historiography of Greek Art.
• They will develop an active mastery of key theoretical frameworks and methods of analysis in contemporary approaches to the history of Greek art.
• They will develop key skills of close looking and detailed visual analysis through first hand engagement with objects from the collections of London museums, especially the British Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum.
• They will acquire the ability to identify significant research problems in the history of Greek art, as a preparation for developing their own independent research projects.

Teaching Methods

Weekly two-hour seminars, comprising discussion based on prepared readings, and involving student presentations. As many classes as possible will be taught primarily in the galleries of London Museums (British Museum, Victoria and Albert Museum etc.), in order to promote detailed engagement with primary material, and make best use of the unique resources afforded by London.

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