107-419 Theory and Discourse in Art History

Formerly available as 107-056. Students who have completed 107-056 are not eligible to enrol in this subject.

Admission to the postgraduate diploma or fourth-year honours in art history.

This subject will examine the historical and theoretical foundations of art history, and the new art historical methods that have arisen out of critiques of them. Seminars will trace the roots of art history in enlightenment models of vision, knowledge and history and the diversification of art history into multiple paths in recent years (poststructuralism, feminism, psychoanalysis, postcolonialism, queer theory, post-Marxist theory). Throughout, analysis will return to central methodological concepts, including style, authorship, visuality, hermeneutics, explanation, progress, intention, value. Seminars will consider both the theory and practice of art history, with seminar leaders discussing specific projects and case studies.

Written work totalling 5000 words.

A subject reader will be available.