History and History of Art

A joint honours degree allows you to study the same core topics as students on each single honours course, but you’ll take fewer optional and discovery modules so you can fit in both subjects. You’ll also undertake a major research project in either subject in your final year.

History

In your first year you’ll study core modules that introduce you to concepts such as historiography, and develop historical skills like working with primary sources. In the following year, you’ll choose from a wide range of optional modules, keeping a balance between earlier and later periods. You could study the Crusades, Imperial Germany or Mao Zedong and China since 1949. In your final year, you’ll focus on a specific theme or topic in your special subject and develop your research and critical skills.

History of Art

In your first year you’ll study core modules on the ways in which visual culture and society shape each other, as well as different ideas about artists and art. You’ll also select from optional modules in topics such as cultural history and museum studies. Once you’ve laid these foundations, you can develop and expand your knowledge with further optional modules in your second year, from today’s art market to Buddhist statues. You’ll continue to choose your areas of study in your final year.

Course structure

These are typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our Terms and conditions.

Modules Year 1

Compulsory modules

• A Story of Art I 20 credits
• A Story of Art 2 20 credits
• Historiography and Historical Skills 20 credits
• Primary Sources for the Historian: An Introduction to Documentary study 20 credits
• Studying in a Digital Age (Arts) 5 credits

Year 2

Optional modules

• The State of Utopia 20 credits
• Venice: Image and Imagination 20 credits
• Art History and Art Historiography 20 credits
• The Cult of Saints in Medieval Europe c.400-c.1500 20 credits
• Russia under the Romanovs, 1812-1917 20 credits
• History on the High Street 20 credits

Year 3

Optional modules

• Anthropology, Art and Representation 20 credits
• Critical approaches to photography 20 credits
• The 'Rematerialisation' of Art? (circa 1960 - present) 20 credits
• The Breakdown of Liberal Democracy in Europe, 1890-1945 20 credits
• Caribbean Identity, Society and Decolonisation 20 credits
• The Breaking of Contemporary Britain: Challenges from the Post-War Period 20 credits

For more information on typical modules, read History and History of Art BA in the course catalogue

Broadening your academic horizons

At Leeds we want you to benefit from the depth and breadth of the University's expertise, to prepare you for success in an ever-changing and challenging world. This course gives you the opportunity to broaden your learning by studying discovery modules. Find out more on the Broadening webpages.

Learning and teaching

Our tutors are experts in their fields, and their teaching is informed by their own cutting-edge research.

We use a range of teaching methods to help you benefit from their expertise, including lectures, seminars, tutorials or occasionally workshops. However, independent study is also central to this degree, since it allows you to develop your skills in research and analysis. You will be able to apply your skills and knowledge in a Final Year Research Project on a topic of your own choice.

Assessment

We also use different types of assessment. Usually we use a mixture of exams and essays, but you may also be assessed on oral presentations or group work in some modules. Support will be on hand throughout your time at Leeds – for example, you’ll be able to attend extra classes on exam technique, structuring an essay and public speaking if you need them.