Landscapes of Belonging

Overview

Do you experience a sense of belonging when viewing particular landscapes? How does landscape art help us form such personal and social identities? This module aims to explore various expressions of these ‘senses of place’ in the creation and consumption of landscape art from the Renaissance to the present. Approached from the disciplines of both art history and human geography, we will examine how different traditions of landscape in art have become a focus for constructing and defining personal and cultural identities be they those of 18th century travellers and landowners, introspective romantic artists, indigenous societies across the world or artists in Wales exploring their sense of hiraeth. Mainly taught through face-to-face classes, these sessions will utilise artworks from the University collections but also include a visit to the National Library of Wales. Assessments are designed to allow students to study a particular topic of interest but also to investigate their own landscapes of belonging. You will be asked to give a brief presentation and write an illustrated submission.

Programme

The module will be delivered as a series of face to face lectures and seminars with opportunities to observe primary sourced prints and paintings.

Through a series of case studies, students will be introduced to a range of concepts of landscape art (these may include: classical, pastoral, romantic, sublime, picturesque, impressionist, modern, sculptural, performative, indigenous, photographic, topographical or tourist) with a view to understanding how individuals and societies, past and present, have used such concepts to explore and/or construct identity. Delivery will be through lectures, seminars and hands-on sessions involving actual examples of landscape art from museum/library collections.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this module, students should be able to:  

1. Identify, analyse and interpret different forms of landscape.
2. Describe how personal, social and cultural identities interact with concepts of landscape.
3. Evidence skills in effective research of museum collections.
4. Communicate and argue research through speech and writing.

Assessments

1. The main assessment will be an essay requiring engagement with primary sources and secondary literature on a subject of particular interest to each student with a view to developing their own argument as to how landscape and identity interact.
2. The second assessment will be a presentation (either oral or recorded) allowing each student to reflect upon a particular place relevant to them personally and consider how art of this or related places, might echo, contradict or challenge their identity.

Reading Suggestions

Reading suggestions will be offered throughout the course.

Entry Requirements

This course is for everyone. No previous experience is needed and there are no formal entry requirements.

What Do I Need?

A list of materials, not included in the course fees, will be available prior to the course start date.