AH5166 The Image of the Artist

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 11

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.

Planned timetable

TBC

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module Staff

Team-taught

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

Module description

For at least six centuries, western civilisation has viewed the visual arts as the creations of named individuals. The highest artistic achievements of an age have served as an invitation to examine the character and qualities of their makers, the artists. This module will encourage students to reflect on what it means to engage with art in this way. It will examine how the image of the artist has changed over the centuries, from the sixteenth century to the present day. Topics to be explored will include: how artists portray themselves, how they are characterized in novels, what we mean by genius, or creativity, and whether art history always needs to be structured around lifetimes, intentionality, biography and proper names.

Assessment pattern

Coursework = 100%

Re-assessment

An essay of 3,000 words

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

1.5-hour seminar (x 11 weeks) and occasional fieldwork

Scheduled learning hours

17

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

Guided independent study hours

285

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