AH4087 Aspects of Surrealism

Academic year

2025 to 2026 Semester 2

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

30

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 10

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Availability restrictions

Not automatically available to General Degree students

Module coordinator

Prof N A Adamson

Prof N A Adamson
This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Dr N Adamson

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

This course studies the theory, practice and history of Surrealism, the radical artistic collective established in France in 1924. A diverse range of Surrealist art-making practices and philosophy will be examined, from the principles of automatism to the theory of the image and the expression of dreams in manifestoes, poetry and painting, collages, film, photography, objects and exhibitions. The course considers key issues in Surrealist practice and thought such as: the avant-garde attempt to bridge the gap between art and life; the re-definition and political critique of modernity, capitalism and nationalism; the commitment to revolution and the proposals put forwards for new forms of community and individual identity; the multi-disciplinary investigations into anthropology and ethnography, gender, desire and sexuality, science and the occult; the critique of colonialism, imperialism and totalitarianism; and the international reach and long-lasting legacies of Surrealism through the twentieth century and into the present day.

Assessment pattern

Coursework = 100%

Re-assessment

Coursework = 100%

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

2 lecture hour (x11 weeks) and 1 seminar hours (x11 weeks); 2 office hours (x12 weeks)

Scheduled learning hours

65

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

235

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

Intended learning outcomes

  • gain an historical knowledge of Surrealism as an international artistic project and network from its foundation in 1924 through to the present day
  • assess related methodological and theoretical issues concerning art, art criticism, and the avant-garde in relation to social and political context
  • visually analyse works of a diverse range of media
  • work both autonomously and collaboratively and to develop confidence in organising and presenting ideas to others in written or verbal form
  • broaden their research skills by developing critical thinking through the assimilation and evaluation of ideas