School Programmes, Syllabi & Academic Information.

HISTORY with HISTORY OF ART (81 hours)

Course Description

INTRODUCTION

History with HISTORY OF ART is one of the most important disciplines in school education. It is the study of the past, which helps us understand our present and shape our future. It promotes the acquisition and understanding of historical knowledge in breadth and in depth across cultures. The study of history at school enables students to know that history is a critical discipline, a process of enquiry, a way of knowing about the past rather than just a collection of facts. It helps them understand the process through which a historian collects, chooses, scrutinises and assembles different types of evidence to write history.

Project work in history as a main part of this course is fundamental, since project work gives students the opportunity to develop higher cognitive skills. It takes students to a process of learning beyond textbooks and provides a platform for them to refer to materials and gather and analyse information in order to decide what to keep and understand how history is constructed by drawing relevant inferences.

Aim of the Course

OBJECTIVES

Project work will help students to:

  • develop efficient skills in gathering data from a variety of sources, investigating diverse viewpoints and arriving at logical deductions
  • develop the skills to comprehend, analyse, interpret and evaluate historical evidence and at the same time understand the limitations of historical evidence
  • develop 21st century co-ordination, self-direction and time management skills
  • learn to analyse diverse cultures, races, religions and lifestyles
  • learn to interpret history through constructivism, a theory based on observation and scientific study
  • cultivate a spirit of inquiry and research

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

  • communicate data in the most appropriate form using a variety of techniques
  • explore opportunities for interaction and investigation
  • understand contemporary issues in the context of our past
  • develop a global perspective and an international outlook
  • grow into caring, sensitive individuals capable of making informed, intelligent and independent choices
  • develop lasting interest in the discipline of history

Syllabus

The syllabus is organised around a selection of major events in world history, focusing on detailed study of a number of important themes in ancient, medieval and modern history.

SUGGESTED TOPICS FOR PROJECTS

  1. Anthropological Research based on Darwin’s Theory
  2. Critique of the industrialization in Britain
  3. Relations and impacts of past crusades
  4. Making and unmaking of Mesopotamia
  5. Paradigms of Greco-Roman civilisation
  6. Aspirations of women in Renaissance period
  7. Paths to Modernisation of Japan /China.
  8. An Exploratory study into Humanism
  9. An in depth study into “now and then” paradigm of Christianity
  10. An exploratory study into the realism and the transmission of Humanistic ideas
  11. Scientific Revolution and the origins of modern science
  12. An exploratory study into the making of America

Resources and Booklist Suggestions

Bibliography:

  1. Abrams, M. H., & Greenblatt, S. (1993). The Norton anthology of English literature(Vol. 2). WW Norton.
  2. An Outline of American History》,the United States Information Agency
  3. Durant, W. (1950). The story of civilisation: a history of medieval civilisation – Christian, Islamic and Judaic.
  4. Droysen, J. G. (2012). History of Alexander the Great. Transactions of the American Philosophical Society, 102(3), III.
  5. Roberts, J. M., & Case, D. (1999). Twentieth century: the history of the world, 1901 to 2000(p. 339). Viking.

HISTORY OF ART

What is Art? According to the definition provided by the Oxford Dictionary, it is “the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, typically in visual form such as painting or sculpture, producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power” (https:// www.lexico.com/en/definition/art).

However, if the case is merely that simple, then what is all the fuss about?

Aim of the Course

Network Foundation’s course in the History of Art aims at explorations beyond definitions and simplistic overviews of artistic movements, names and eras. This course is designed to acquaint students not only with the basic principles of comprehending Art as History and understanding key concepts and terms but also to equip them with the tools necessary to begin to appreciate and critically examine Art. It is an introduction to the unravelling of both the objective and subjective paths within which Art is understood, enabling students to better grasp this somewhat fluid concept. More importantly, in doing so, it will enable them to pursue academic studies related to the fields of Art, Theory and History of Art, Curating or Arts Management, among others. It is a first but crucial step for those interested in any Arts related academic field.

Learning Outcomes

Goals:

  • understanding of the basic terms, facts, and concepts in art history
  • comprehension of the progress of art as fluid development of a series of styles and trends that overlap and react to each other as well as to historical events
  • recognition of the basic concepts inherent in each style, and of the outstanding contextual factors of art exemplars, styles and artists

Art History Syllabus 

For each lecture, a number of exemplary works of art are listed. In some cases, the course instructor may wish to discuss all of these works; in other cases the focus may be on only some of them.

Teaching Schedule

This syllabus runs over 27 weeks, with 1 session per week. The midterm exam is scheduled to take place the end of the seventh week. The final exam is scheduled to take place during the last class meeting but might be shifted to an exam period for the instructor to have available one additional class session.

Suggested Booklist 

Textbooks / Bibliography: 

  1. Art Since 1900  Thames & Hudson
  2. Clement, G. (1965). Art and Culture: Critical Essays. Avant-Garde and Kitsch.
  3. Gombrich, E. H., & Gombrich, E. H. (1995). The story of art(Vol. 12). London: Phaidon.
  4. Ideas, Changing. “Charles Harrison and Paul Wood.” Malden, M.A.: Blackwell Publishers(1993).
  5. Wreen, M. (2005). Beardsley’s Aesthetics.