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Language of instruction
Duration
Identical coursesArt in Europe: a History of Emotions (B-KUL-F0VL7A)
Aims
Aims of the course: to learn how to use interdisciplinary methods to analyze paintings
1) to learn how to ‘read’ a painting using contemporary theories of emotion (philosophy, psychology, anthropology, art history)
2) to gain a synchronic view: learning to see how a period, an era forms itself: how philosophy, literature, politics and the arts interact
3) diachronic view: see Europe as a history of emotions
Previous knowledge
No professional acquaintance with the different disciplines is required, but students will have to familiarize themselves with the basic principles of the analysis of art through individual study. A bibliography will be provided offering a range of guides, available in e-sources and KU Leuven libraries.
Is included in these courses of study
- Study Abroad Programme in European Culture and Society (PECS) (Leuven)
- Bachelor of Philosophy (Programme for students started before 2020-2021) (Leuven) 180 ects.
- Master of English Linguistics and Literature (Leuven) 60 ects.
- Master of Western Literature (Leuven) 60 ects.
- Bachelor of Philosophy (Programme for students started in 2020-2021 or later) (Leuven) (Minor Liberal Arts with Language Track French) 180 ects.
- Bachelor of Philosophy (Programme for students started in 2020-2021 or later) (Leuven) (Minor Liberal Arts with Language Track German) 180 ects.
Activities
6 ects. Art in Europe: a History of Emotions (B-KUL-F0VL7a)
Content
We start with an introduction to the human being as an interactional creature, whose life starts in the relations with the parents. In 12 sessions we look at how parent-child relations changed from the Old Testament to the Gospels and further till contemporary art. In each session we discuss ca. 10 paintings in detail, using concepts from philosophy, psychology and art history, relating them to the mentality of their era, moving from Antiquity to the posthuman. This allows us to recapitulate the history of Europe in a nutshell with focus on the changes in emotionality. These paradigm shifts have a vital effect on the different languages used in paintings: body, gestures, clothes (fashions), images, words and spatial expression.
Course material
The paintings & articles to interpret them are always available on Toledo in advance of the session in class.
For students who are totally unfamiliar with European art E.H. Gombrich's The Story of Art will be an excellent introduction.
Language of instruction: more information
Students should have very good English as we move at a rapid pace.
Format: more information
The idea(l) is that students interact a lot during the sessions in class. In order to monitor individual progress students are asked to keep a diary about their learning process in which they refer to the literature provided.
Is also included in other courses
Evaluation
Evaluation: Art in Europe: a History of Emotions (B-KUL-F2VL7a)
Explanation
The evaluation consists of continuous assesment (learning diary) with an exam outside of the normal examination period. The exam counts for 40% of the final grade and the learning diary for 60%.
Information about retaking exams
The exam will be replaced by a paper in the third examination period. The paper will count for 40% of the final grade. The grade for the learning diary achieved in the first exam chance (60% of final grade) will be brought over to the final grade in the third examination period.