RESEARCH METHODOLOGY FOR THE HISTORY OF ART I

The course aims to provide a basic understanding of art history methodology. The course is designed to equip students with the historical and methodological tools necessary to familiarise themselves with the most important art historians who have contributed to art criticism and their specific research methods. The course aims to provide:
1) an understanding of the sources used in art history;
2) an understanding of the theories and criteria for evaluating the past;
3) the capacity and ability to distinguish and understand the various phases of critical judgement, historiographical frameworks and norms relating to the arts.

Learning objectives:
- a basic understanding of the approaches, methods and tools of modern art history in the 19th and 20th centuries;
-the ways in which art history has established itself as a scientific discipline within the humanities;
-knowledge of the leading art historians and their methods;
-familiarity with and understanding of the basic terminology of the subject, acquired in class or through the reading of specific texts, essays or extracts.

There are no compulsory prerequisites for this course. However, it would be advisable for students to have taken at least two art history modules (medieval, modern or contemporary) of their choice before enrolling.

The aim of the course is to clarify the connection between contemporary art-historical methodology and the historical tradition of art criticism.
The course aims to introduce terms and concepts relating to the methodology of art-historical research, with particular reference to the following topics:
- art history as a scientific discipline;
- the question of progress in the arts and the concept of style;
- the significance of the visual arts: Aby Warburg;
-Outlines and approaches to art history in Italy, from Morelli and Cavalcaselle to Venturi and Longhi;
-Social history of art;
-Psychology and art history.

A) G.C. Sciolla, La critica d’arte del Novecento, Torino, Utet Libreria, 1995 (e successive ristampe), capp. I-VIII;
(A) M. Nezzo, G. Tomasella, Dire per l'Arte: percorsi di critica dall'antichità al primo Novecento, Padova, Il Poligrafo (Biblioteca d'arte), 2020, pp. 375-441; 483-559;
(R) G.C. Sciolla, Studiare l'arte. Metodo, analisi e interpretazione delle opere e degli artisti, II ediz., Torino, UTET Università, 2010.
The texts adopted are to be regarded as binding.

Assessment of learning takes the form of a written examination, comprising three open-ended questions (worth 10/30) and an additional question, which serves to refine the assessment.
The examination aims to verify that students have acquired the knowledge derived from the topics covered during the course and have grasped the basic concepts of the teaching materials available on the University’s Moodle platform and in the compulsory reading list (adopted texts).
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA FOR EXAMINATIONS:
- correctness and appropriateness in the use of language and subject-specific terminology;
- accuracy and comprehensiveness of knowledge;
- ability to critically analyse knowledge.

Four examination sessions will be held.

The lecturer is responsible for ensuring that the rules regarding the authenticity and originality of examination papers are observed. Consequently, in cases where there is a suspicion of misconduct, the examination may include a further assessment, to be carried out during the examination itself, which may also be conducted in a manner different from the procedures outlined above.

written

The lecturer has a duty to ensure that the rules regarding the authenticity and originality of exam tests and papers are respected. Therefore, if there is suspicion of irregular conduct, an additional assessment may be conducted, which could differ from the original exam description.

Grades will be awarded on the basis of the following criteria:
A. Marks in the 18–22 range will be awarded where the following are demonstrated:
- sufficient knowledge and applied understanding of the syllabus;
- limited ability to explain and/or interpret information, formulating independent judgements;
- sufficient communication skills, particularly in relation to the use of specialist terminology within the discipline.
B. Marks in the 23–26 range will be awarded where the following are present:
- reasonable knowledge and ability to understand and critically analyse;
- reasonable ability to explain and/or interpret information, formulating independent judgements;
- reasonable communication skills, particularly in relation to the use of the subject’s specialist terminology.
C. Marks in the 27–30 range will be awarded where the following are present:
- good or excellent knowledge and ability to understand and critically analyse;
- good or excellent ability to explain and/or interpret information, formulating independent judgements;
- fully appropriate communication skills, particularly in relation to the use of the subject’s specialised language;
D. honours will be awarded where there is excellent critical and diachronic analysis.

Lectures and discussion-based sessions, supported by PowerPoint presentations and additional media literacy resources. Students are strongly encouraged to participate in the practical sessions and in-depth seminars. Registration for the course’s Moodle platform is compulsory.

This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "Human capital, health, education" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development