AH4261 Art and the Ocean: Materiality, Representation, Ecology, 1500–1750

Academic year

2024 to 2025 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

Planned timetable

TBC

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

Module coordinator

Dr E J M van Kessel

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

Module Staff

Dr Elsje van Kessel

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

Module description

The early modern oceans impacted European art in important ways. Maritime exploration and colonial expansion compelled merchants to transport objects across vast distances. Artists began to specialise in maritime subject matter, creating new genres such as the seascape, the sea battle, and depictions of oceanic flora and fauna. Substances and objects created by the marine environment itself – think of pearls, coral, or shells – were highly prized and integrated into elaborate jewels and other collectors’ items. We will study European art and material culture as it relates to the seas, with special emphasis on materiality and mobility of objects, the sea as artistic subject matter, and the role of the sea in art history. Questions around empire-building, colonisation, and the early modern extraction of marine resources will inform our discussions. This module has a strong emphasis on experiential learning and includes fieldwork in coastal Fife.

Assessment pattern

Coursework - 100%

Re-assessment

Coursework - 100%

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

1 lecture (x 11 weeks), 1 2-hour seminar (x 11 weeks)

Scheduled learning hours

36

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

  • Understand and apply aspects of early modern art, visual and material culture in relation to ecological and ‘blue humanities’ questions
  • Understand and articulate some of the theoretical issues around global histories of art, visual and material culture
  • Analyse and interpret early modern works of art with discipline-specific vocabulary introduced in classes and readings
  • Relate works of art studied in the module to their wider historical, cultural, and ecological contexts, and understand the circumstances surrounding their creation and reception
  • Critically assess and evaluate different types of primary and secondary sources and conduct independent research through the use of analogue and digital library resources