This module's aims are twofold: first, to give students a grounding in the fundamental techniques and principles that are used in the production of a building or a work of art, from antiquity to the modern day. Second, to explore the theories and ideas which form the foundation of art history as a discipline, including writing on art, principles of stylistic and historical analysis, art in the age of mechanical reproduction, and ways of seeing. The course will include lectures on techniques including fresco, tempera, and oil painting; techniques and the rationale of sculpture in a wider context; the basic stages of the production of a building and architectural plans; photography, performance and time-based works of art; how the analysis of a work of art is structured and written; and changing theories of art history, viewership and the object.

On completion of this module students should be able to: 1. understand and apply the basic terminology relevant to architecture, sculpture and painting; 2. correctly identify media in examples of paintings; 3. demonstrate knowledge of sculptural techniques and materials; 4. read an architectural drawing; 5. identify and discuss the use of photography, performance and time-based media within art practice; 6. compare and contrast different modes of artwriting and art historical practice.