The heuristics course of Block 2 is intended to train students in the methodological bases of research in Art History and Archaeology. In the field of art analysis, the exercise carried out within the framework of this course should enable students to characterise a work of art from the Middle Ages or Modern Times, to situate it in its context and to constitute a catalogue of comparable works. This course also provides the student with the basics of research in architectural history. The course is designed to enable students to deepen their experience of documentary research by learning to master new research tools and new types of sources (written archives, ancient iconography, etc.). It should also provide the methodological basis for the observation and recording of architecture in situ. Finally, it must offer the rudiments of formal analysis of architecture.
The course has two components: - Audience sessions used for theoretical methodological presentations, question and answer sessions and interactive seminars in which students have to present the progress of their work, among other things. - The actual practical work, consisting of three exercises (see Exercises)
Three exercises are carried out during the year: two in the first term and one in the second.
Exercise 1: A study of a work of art to allow it to be characterised and placed in the context of its creation, alongside the creation of a catalogue of comparable works.
Exercise 2: A historical study and description of a small medieval or modern church. This exercise introduces students to research on ancient architecture. Particular importance is given to field recording techniques. By the end of the first term, students should have submitted an illustrated written assignment including an introduction, material history, description and conclusion.
Exercise 3: The third exercise of the year focuses on a religious or secular building located abroad in a city (or region) that is the destination of the annual study trip. This exercise allows for a more in-depth analysis of architecture, covering aspects not addressed in the previous term, such as the study of ancient iconography and formal analysis. This written exercise is accompanied by an oral presentation in situ during the study trip.
Sessions of theoretical methodological lectures alternating with exercise sessions - Supervision of personal research, both in situ analysis and documentary research. Pedagogical documents: Course outline, instructions for exercises, weighting grids, powerpoints for methodological presentations, etc.
The assessment is based on the three exercises that the student completes throughout the year (two exercises in Q1 and one exercise in Q2). The third exercise (Q2) requires an in situ presentation of a building and/or a site. The quality of this oral presentation and its appropriateness to the written and iconographic material provided by the student are also part of the evaluation of exercise 3. Finally, an examination is given on all the sites visited during the study trip in the second semester. The result of this test is also taken into account in the student's overall assessment.
The June mark is calculated as a weighted average of the exercises completed throughout the year. If a student fails in June, in August, he must retake all the exercises from that year for which he obtained a mark lower than 10/20.
Bibliography, instructions, powerpoints, etc.
| Training | Study programme | Block | Credits | Mandatory |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor in History of Art and Archaeology: General | Standard | 0 | 12 | |
| Bachelor in History of Art and Archaeology: General | Standard | 2 | 12 |