AH4167 Symbolism, Decadence and Modernity

Academic year

2024 to 2025 Semester 1

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

Module coordinator

Prof L J Goddard

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

Module Staff

Prof L Goddard

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

Module description

Exploring the Symbolist movement from an international perspective, this module will cover groups including the Nabis, the Italian Divisionists, and the British Aesthetic Movement, setting them in the context of contemporary aesthetic, scientific and social debates. Until recently, histories of Symbolism isolated a few stylistically experimental figures such as Munch, Gauguin and Klimt from the messier melting-pot of misogyny, nationalism and mystical fervour. This module confronts head-on the movement's uncomfortable blend of tradition and modernity, stylistic innovation and thematic obsessions. Students will explore themes including dream and nightmare, spirituality and the occult, nationalism and myth, evolution and degeneration, sexuality and the femme fatale. In the spirit of the fin-de-siecle 'total art work', we will pay particular attention to the crossovers between text and image, and between the 'fine' and 'decorative' arts.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST ( PASS AH1001 OR PASS AH1003 ) AND PASS AH2001 AND PASS AH2002

Assessment pattern

Coursework = 100%

Re-assessment

1 x Written Assignment to be agreed by the Board of Examiners

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

1-hour lecture (x10) and 2-hour seminar (x10)

Scheduled learning hours

33

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

267

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.