Module and Programme Catalogue

Search site

Find information on

2019/20 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

ARTF5071M Encountering Things: Art and Entanglement in Anglo-Saxon England

30 creditsClass Size: 15

Module manager: Catherine Karkov
Email: c.e.karkov@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2019/20

This module is not approved as an Elective

Objectives

This module will focus on art in Anglo-Saxon England, exploring aspects of its materials and materiality through the lens of diffraction theory. How did matter (earth, stone, skin, bone) matter? How is the work of art created in our encounter with it, and what sort of an art work is it? At the same time, how are those who created, viewed and used these objects simultaneously created in that same moment? Diffraction theory is concerned with what is produced in the moment or process of encounter, so we must also ask how the boundary between subject and object continues to be broken down today. We will be reading primary texts (in translation) that explore the ways in which the Anglo-Saxons thought about things, materials, and the world around them, and that also reveal how objects spoke back. These texts will be complemented by secondary sources that will help us both to theorise and to historicise multiple types of objects and materials.

Learning outcomes
By the end of this module students will:
- Be able to critically analyse primary and secondary sources at a higher (post graduate) level. This will help them enrich and develop research methods essential for their written work (both essays on module and dissertation).
- Develop a deeper understanding of key concepts in contemporary critical theory and critical humanities pertinent to Art and its materialities in Anglo-Saxon England.
- Through collaborative class discussions and presentations develop verbal fluency in constructing a logical and coherent argument with regards the complexities of thinking about Anglo-Saxon Art.
- Be able to analyse unfamiliar images, texts and objects with regards their changing historical and material status.
- Engage in professionalism in planning, organisation and delivery of final conference.


Syllabus

Objects and images do not exist on their own, but only as parts of networks or entanglements. Rather than interacting they intra-act with (mutually constitute) the world—place, time, other objects, the viewers who encounter them. Indeed, it has been argued that objects do not exist outside of our encounters with them in time and in place, the world in them and them in the world, and that knowing itself is a material practice. Encountering things in this way also helps us to rework temporal and disciplinary boundaries, breaking down binaries such as then/now, there/here, or them/us.

Teaching methods

Delivery typeNumberLength hoursStudent hours
Class tests, exams and assessment22.004.00
Group learning72.0014.00
Seminar82.0016.00
Tutorial111.0011.00
Private study hours255.00
Total Contact hours45.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)300.00

Private study

Includes optional field trip in week 6. The two essays will require extensive research, and the conference presentation will require significant preparation. Weekly readings and preparation of in-class discussions of them will also require independent study on a regular basis.

There will be an optional fieldtrip of 12 hours

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Student progress will be monitored through weekly participation in seminars, through the short mid-term essay (and participation in discussion groups of these essays), and through preparation for and participation in the final conference.

Methods of assessment


Coursework
Assessment typeNotes% of formal assessment
Essay1 x 1,000-2,00025.00
Essay1 x 4,000-5,00050.00
PresentationClass participation and final conference presentation25.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 30/04/2019

Disclaimer

Browse Other Catalogues

Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team.PROD

© Copyright Leeds 2019