6 ECTS credits
150 h study time
Offer 1 with catalog number 4020929DEW for working students in the 1st semester at a (D) Master - preliminary level.
This master course analyses early modern visual culture. In this course, we are looking at visual culture from a broad range of examples, centering around three main themes: 1. Media and economy 2. Religion and politics 3. Knowledge and global worlds. In the early modern period, the production of imagery exploded due the success of the printing press, reaching more people than ever before. The status of different visual media was debated and changed during the period. In religion and politics, imagery played a crucial but heavily debated role. Imagery and visual arguments played a key role in changing knowledge practices and the rise of the natural sciences.
We look at visual culture in the early modern period from several angles (e.g. iconography, material culture, global trading networks, gender). Discussed are famous artists and artworks as well as popular and/or anonymous imagery and objects. A critical reflection of the use and status of historical images also encourages critical thinking about contemporary phenomena (e.g. AI-generated imagery, deep fakes). Central are the early modern Low Countries, but in a wider European and global perspective. The exact focus and content can alter per year.
Students take notes and can find additional course material on Canvast (ppts of the teacher, pdfs of texts). There are mandatory readings for each lesson.
Each lesson starts with a lecture of about one hour, followed by an hour of discussion of the mandatory reading of that week. Each week one or two student(s) introduce the text and prepare the discussion. Active participation is crucial for this course and is graded as part of the exam.
Excursions may lead to modest extra costs for students not covered by the university.
The student has general knowledge and insight into the visual culture of the early modern period.
The student has knowledge about recent scholarly debates regarding early modern visual culture and is capable to reflect critically and take a stance.
The student can independently formulate a research question in the field of early modern visual culture.
The student is capable of communicating research results orally and in a written paper.
The student has general professional skills, such as visual analysis, independent historical research and writing, interpreting historical sources and scholarly literature, and reflect critically.
The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Oral Exam determines 25% of the final mark.
Other Exam determines 25% of the final mark.
SELF Paper determines 50% of the final mark.
Within the Oral Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:
Within the Other Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:
Within the SELF Paper category, the following assignments need to be completed:
25% participation during the course (class participation, presentation to the group)
50% written paper (4000 worden/5000 words incl. notes)
25% oral exam, during which the paper is defended, and the student can position own research into the themes and texts of the course
NB: the oral exam cannot be taken without timely admission of the paper. In case the student fails the first exam period, an improved version of the paper needs to be submitted for the second exam period. The part of participation (25%) may be transmitted to the second exam period.
This offer is part of the following study plans:
Master of Art Studies and Archaeology: Standaard traject (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Teaching in Arts and Humanities: History (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Teaching in Arts and Humanities: Art History and Heritage Studies (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Teaching in Arts and Humanities: Philosophy (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Teaching in Arts and Humanities: Ethics and Humanism (only offered in Dutch)