Our course has been designed to cover the history and theory associated with the major phases of Western art and architecture—from classical antiquity to the present—and to examine the critical concepts that underpin the culture of the visual arts in the West. It is a demanding and stimulating course that will teach you to use your eyes, to ask questions, and to have confidence in your own critical judgments.

History of Art is a vital and challenging discipline of quite particular relevance to the interests and needs of contemporary society. We live in a world dominated by images, and the primary vehicle of modern culture is visual.  Even so, many people feel ill at ease with visual information and do not understand the way in which images make an impact and produce meaning. The study of art history, with its emphasis on visual analysis and critical thinking, will enable you to:

• think and write creatively;
• build your own criteria for making value judgements;
• understand the way in which art is related to the social, political, psychological, and philosophical contexts from which it emerges.

In short, the course provides you with a firm foundation on which to build an understanding of the visual culture and physical environment of modern-day Ireland, set within both its European and wider global contexts. More

Dr Flavio Boggi, Convenor of First Arts