Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin

Art and Visual History

Degree

Combined bachelor, Bachelor of Arts (B.A.). Please refer to the ‘Bachelor’s and Master’s courses at the HU’ FAQs.

Standard time for completing course

6 semesters

Start of study and Entry Restriction

Cf. course catalogue

Combinations and course structure

Art and Visual History can be studied as:

* One credit point (CP) is calculated to equal a workload of 25 to max. 30 hours for preparation, follow-up and attendance at teaching sessions.

Content and objectives of studies

The combined bachelor’s course Art and Visual History aims to provide fundamental knowledge of the history of the forms and functions of artistic design from the Early Middle Ages to the present day. This includes the history of architecture and urban planning, sculpture, painting and graphic art, arts and crafts, photography and film, electronically generated imagery, scientific visualisations and installations.
Besides the interconnection of Art History and Visual History, which is specific for this degree course, special foci in research and teaching at the IKB (Institut für Kunst- und Bildgeschichte) of Humboldt-Universität are the history of architecture and urban planning, exhibitions and museum displays, the relationship between art, sciences and technology, gender studies as well as the history of Central and Eastern European art. A non-program-specific emphasis is placed on the use of technical media for work organisation, research, presentation and scientific analysis.
Students will have the opportunity to gain insights into fields of practice such as museum work, monument conservation, the art market, journalism, etc. Training objectives also include knowledge of the history of the discipline and reflection on its methods, as well as the ability to analyze visual artefacts in a variety of historical contexts.

The training offered by the Art and Visual History bachelor’s course qualifies for activities in the fields of art exhibitions and conservation (such as museums, galleries or departments of monument preservation), public relations, museum education, the art market and the media. Furthermore, the bachelor’s course provides the prerequisites for continuing university education with the Art and Visual History master’s course.

The best way to find information about the exact course content is using the annotated university calendar. Module descriptions, the course curriculum and other details are available in the Course and examination regulations, online at www.amb.hu-berlin.de, no. 75/2014, correction no. 23/2017, 2nd correction no. 17/2019.

Why study Art and Visual History at HU?

The subject Art and Visual History at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, with its wealth of teaching areas and research facilities and a variety of methodological approaches, is distinctive in its combination of art history and visual history. The department’s location, right by Museum Island and close to numerous galleries and other exhibition spaces, also provides a direct connection to relevant institutions. This creates opportunities for scholarly qualifications as well as initial professional experiences, e.g. through internships.

What special skills and interests do you need for this subject?

Prospective students should be proficient in German and have skills in English and another modern foreign language in order to be able to consult international research literature and to have the opportunity to specialize in specific fields of art and visual history. The course requires a fundamental interest in art and images in all their forms, as well as a willingness to visit libraries, museums and galleries on a regular basis.

Art and Visual History as a core subject with 120 CP

Mandatory Modules (80 CP)

Module I: Introduction to Art and Visual History I, 10 CP
Module II: Introduction to Art and Visual History II, 10 CP
Module III: Middle Ages, 10 CP
Module IV: Modern Era, 10 CP
Module V: Modern and Contemporary Art, 10 CP
Module VI: Visual History / Methods / History of Science, 10 CP
Module VII: Field Trip, 5 CP
Module XI: Bachelor's Thesis Module, 15 CP

Mandatory elective modules (20 CP)

Either module VIII or IX has to be selected.

Module VIII: Practice-oriented courses, 10 CP
Module IX: Period of practical work, 10 CP (Sprungbrett provides students with support)
Module X: Specialisation, 10 CP

General elective modules (20 CP)

In addition to specialised study, Students acquire subject-specific, non-specialist and interdisciplinary key qualifications of 20 CP. The general elective modules can be chosen from the module catalogues of other subjects or central institutions (see: hu.berlin/agnes).

Art and Visual History as a second subject with 60 CP

Mandatory Modules (60 CP)

Module I: Introduction to Art and Visual History I, 10 CP
Module II: Introduction to Art and Visual History II, 10 CP
Module III: Middle Ages, 10 CP
Module IV: Modern Era, 10 CP
Module V: Modern and Contemporary Art, 10 CP
Module VI: Visual History / Methods / History of Science, 10 CP

General elective course offerings for students coming from other courses of studies

Module XII: Perspectives of Art and Visual History, 10 CP

Master’s degree

You can apply for the Art and Visual History master’s programme at HU (www.amb.hu-berlin.de, no. 76/2014). Information concerning this and other MA programs, including specific entrance requirements, are provided by the course catalogue.

Addresses

Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Department of Art and Visual History: Georgenstraße 47, 3rd floor, www.kunstgeschichte.hu-berlin.de, phone +49 30 2093-66200
Course Advisory Service: see www.kunstgeschichte.hu-berlin.de/de/studium/studienberatung/; ikb-ba-studienberatung@hu-berlin.de
Classification and recognition of studies and qualifications: Dr. Dorgerloh, Annette.Dorgerloh@culture.hu-berlin.de, room 3.21, phone +49 30 2093-66254
Applications: hu.berlin/bewerbung
Links to job market: careers information centre, Hochschulteam calendar of events


Version: January 2022
Back to Course catalogue


Contact for questions or feedback regarding this page: studienberatung@uv.hu-berlin.de

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