AH4175 Luxury Goods in the Middle Ages

Academic year

2025 to 2026 Semester 1

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 K M Rudy

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

Module Staff

Dr K Rudy

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

Module description

This module considers the economic background to sweeping changes in the late middle ages; to a new distribution of wealth; and to the development new trade routes that brought raw materials and finished luxury items from Asia, Africa, the Baltic, and beyond. We will consider many of what have been called ‘minor arts’, including automata and mechanical marvels developed in late medieval courts, as well as many surviving paintings commissioned by the nouveaux riches, which often depict the kinds of consumer goods they were also purchasing. We will examine the proposition that images both constructed and reflected identity, and that they both revealed and stimulated a desire for exotic products. While some of our readings will address Italy, most will consider the situations in France, the Netherlands, and the British Isles.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST PASS AH2001 AND PASS AH2002

Assessment pattern

Coursework = 60%, Examination = 40%

Re-assessment

Coursework = 100%

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

1 x 2-hour lecture, 1 x 1-hour seminar (x 11 weeks), fieldtrip - 8 hours.

Scheduled learning hours

41

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

Guided independent study hours

270

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

Intended learning outcomes

  • To discuss aspects of the visual culture of the Middle Ages from the third through the sixteenth centuries
  • To understand and articulate some of the theoretical issues around luxury goods, their production, acquisition, and display
  • To identify and date selected objects
  • To systematically analyse the style and content of such works
  • To relate these to their wider historical and cultural context
  • To understand the circumstances surrounding their creation and reception