Aims

A. to examine the history and practice of the fine and applied arts and visual culture in Wales since the 18th century (produced by artists in Wales and by Welsh artists working outside Wales) with reference to British and European art during the same period
B. to account for the emergent artistic culture and consider the significance of patronage and collecting, art education, museums and institutions, and artists’ groups in Wales in the context of the political, economic and social climate
C. to focus on key artists and groups as exemplars of either a unique contribution to, or general trends in, art in Wales and study manifestations of art and visual culture against the background of Welsh culture generally, with particular reference to the revivals of religion and national consciousness
D. to consider the influence or adaptation of English, European and American traditions by specific Welsh artists from the 18th century to some of the most recent examples of art practice in Wales
E. to examine the practice of writing on art in Wales especially in relation to the late nineteenth-century agenda for Welsh art and art history, and recent texts dealing with notions of Welsh art and art and nationality
F. to engage in primary source research, artefact and textual analysis using the collections of the School of Art and National Library of Wales

2. Do the above aims fit in with Departmental aims and objectives? (If NO, please attach supplementary information.) YES

3. Learning outcomes (e.g. On completion of this module, students should be able to ... ):

By the end of this module students should be able to:

1. demonstrate, through writing and orally, a sound grasp of the history of art in Wales informed by a sociological, theological, political, and cultural perspectives (Aims: A, B)
2. discuss, in a reasoned and substantiated manner, the ways in which in Wales was linked to the broader history of the Western European tradition and the contribution made by a number of key figures (Aims: C, D)
3. assess and show an understanding of the role of writing on art in Wales in the formation of such concepts as Welsh art and Welsh-art history, with reference to specific texts (Aims B, E)
4. demonstrate a grasp of knowledge and understanding gained through the module, through research projects and primary-source analysis in an on-going development of constructing a history of Art in Wales (Aim: F)

4. Please explain how the learning outcomes for this module are linked to the methods of assessment given in Part B below.

Objectives (1,2,3,4) by Project/Artefact Analysis
Objectives (1, 2, 3) by Essay

The Project/Artefact Analysis is designed for students to be able to demonstrate their specialist knowledge, understanding and interpretation of an aspect of Art in Wales through primary research. The essay gives the opportunity to articulate their ideas concerning issues surrounding the practice, collecting, presentation and writing on the fine and applied arts in Wales within an historical framework and against the contemporary context.

5. Are there any innovative teaching methods? (If YES, please attach details.)

6. Please indicate (if appropriate) how the following skills will be developed and assessed:

.1 Independent project work

Project / Artefact Analysis and Interpretation
Essay
Seminar Preparation

.2 IT and information handling

Word Processing
Internet Searches and Information Retrieval
Database handling

.3 Use and analysis of numerical information

None

.4 Writing in an academic context

Project / Artefact Analysis and Interpretation
Essay

.5 Oral discussion and presentation

Seminar Discussions and Presentation

.6 Careers need awareness

The module is relevant to students considering museum work, art gallery administration or in public art organisations, or as a freelance curator and exhibition organiser in Wales.