Anyone Doing Art History

Ell69

Hi, i'm just wondering if anyone is studying this and how are you finding it?. I've deferred my place till next year and Im currently doing another course as I wasnt 100% sure Art history was for me, but now I'm really looking forward to next year. Do you like it, what is the work load like etc. Thinking of studying history and Italian and dont know what else yet.:)

topazyellow

Ell69 wrote: »

Hi, i'm just wondering if anyone is studying this and how are you finding it?. I've deferred my place till next year and Im currently doing another course as I wasnt 100% sure Art history was for me, but now I'm really looking forward to next year. Do you like it, what is the work load like etc. Thinking of studying history and Italian and dont know what else yet.:)

Hi,
I'm in my first year at UCC (as a mature student) doing both History and History of Art. Loving both, the lecturers are amazing, the workload is getting fierce what with three essays now due within the week (after already submitting two) and there are more tutorials coming on as well. I also have another two subjects as well

Personally I like the History and History of Art stuff. History of Art in the first semester covers everything from Greek sculpture, Byzantinian Art, architecture, Gothic, Italian Renaissance upto the 20th Century. We have had two essays to complete so far. Likewise History has 2 compulsories; the making of the modern Irish State and East & West (from the Roman Empire) and again 2 essays to do. For History there is also a third subject from next year (a personal choice is to be made from a selection of topics). Incredible pace, but the lecturers are phenomonenal (really know their stuff). It's a really popular subject and there's usually 300-400+ in the lecture hall. History of Art has good lecturers too, and the pace is also cracking. Have found that the tutorials have helped with History of Art as we are covering so much, it can sometimes feel like a blur.

As a maturie there is a lot of help available (additional work classes and support), but, if you just do the assignments and turn up, you can just about manage to keep on top! Also if you seek out other mature students they tend to give support/shoulder to cry on or we just go for a beer!

I can honestly say that returning to University was one of the best decisions I've made, even if my family are a bit neglected now. Also UCC has a lovely compact campus, so I don't feel that I rushing around.

I hope that this helps?

T.Y.

Ell69

Hi and thanks for replying.
Thats exactly the sort of feedback I was looking for.:)
Sound like how I imagined it to be down there. I'm currently doing my course in Art (as in painting etc) and am between studying to teach that or studying Art History as an exam subject.
I only deferred at the last minute as I wanted to be 100% sure.
I do read tonnes of Art History books, my favourite being Renaissance and Baroque periods.
I know it sounds crazy in todays climate to be studying to teach, but hey at my age I'm doing this for myself
Can I just ask In history and Art History do you have an example of a typical week, how early or late are you lectures etc?. I think I read AH lectures are late evening. This will help me decide as my kids are still young, as in organising chikldcare etc.
Anyway TY thank you so much, and best of luck with all your exams etc.:)

pq0n1ct4ve8zf5

I'm in final year of a joint honours degree of english and art history, art history is definitely my favourite, has been since first year.

When I was in first year the lectures were on from 5-6 each evening, as far as I know this hasn't been changed. The work load is fine, as with a lot of arts subjects you can scrape by with doing very little, but you get a lot more out of it if you put the work in (I wish I'd done a bit more before final started, let me tell you), but what with you being a mature student you'll probably be more motivated than most.

The class is small compared to a lot of them, so it's a lot easier to get to know people, and the department being small is in my opinion very good for the students because you know the lecturers and they get to know you pretty quickly. The lecturing and admin staff are nearly all very helpful, approachable, and very good at what they do. I really would reccommend it

topazyellow

Ell69 wrote: »

Hi and thanks for replying.
Thats exactly the sort of feedback I was looking for.:)
Sound like how I imagined it to be down there. I'm currently doing my course in Art (as in painting etc) and am between studying to teach that or studying Art History as an exam subject.
I only deferred at the last minute as I wanted to be 100% sure.
I do read tonnes of Art History books, my favourite being Renaissance and Baroque periods.
I know it sounds crazy in todays climate to be studying to teach, but hey at my age I'm doing this for myself
Can I just ask In history and Art History do you have an example of a typical week, how early or late are you lectures etc?. I think I read AH lectures are late evening. This will help me decide as my kids are still young, as in organising chikldcare etc.
Anyway TY thank you so much, and best of luck with all your exams etc.:)

Hi,

At the moment we have 3 x 9.00am History lectures (1 hour) + 2 tutorials (times to suit) & 3 x 5.00pm Art History lectures (1 hour) + 1 x tutorial. With my other two subjects I also have 3 x 1 hour lectures + a tutorial for each. I find that the in between times are spent in the library (research) as there's a lot of reading to do. Basically it's like working full time and my weekends have been taken up with essays the last few weeks- although that's probably because it's still all a bit new to me. At the moment Friday is a good day as I've only two hours to do in college for lectures.

You should enjoy history of art as we're just onto the Renaissance period now. I would recommend History as the Medieval part does cross over with the History of Art so it makes the understanding easier to grasp from both sides (book of Kells, Durrow, Sutton Hoo etc.) regarding the impact of Christianity and art.

A lot of the History of Art students have had no prior experience and the lectures are well presented and have taken this into account.

Trust that this helps?:)

TY

Ell69

Hi Guys, thanks you both for your replies. Helps a lot.
x x