30 credits
Level 5
First Sub Session
The course offers an introduction to the intersections of art and Christianity, from the earliest days of the institution to the present. Through detailed examination of art and architecture, students will engage with some the church’s earliest debates and conversations, defining the spaces in which Christians worshipped and central identity of Christianity as it existed both in experience and in the imagination of people throughout its 2000-year history. Whereas Judaism and Islam restrict the making of images, Christianity was one of the greatest patrons of the arts, recognising visual culture’s intrinsic power in shaping the minds of the faithful and potential converts. The strategies the Church employed were innovative and successful, but always remined debated and significantly contributing the urge towards Reformation in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries.
30 credits
Level 5
Second Sub Session
This core course considers the aesthetic tradition within biblical and systematic theology. Traditions of iconography will be discussed as will ideas of participation and semiotic theory. It offers an overview of the figures and movements in theological aesthetics beginning in Hebrew and bronze age concepts of the representation of the deity running to figures such as Augustine, Aquinas, Eastern traditions, The Reformers, Counter Reformers, Barth, von Balthasar featuring along the way.
30 credits
Level 5
Second Sub Session
This core course applies two methodological approaches to art and Christianity: the theoretical and the curatorial. It engages with key critical literature fostering debate around the making, reception and display of Christian visual culture. Beyond the classroom, it engages with Christian art displayed in various sites and institutions in Aberdeen, allowing students to interact with curators and custodians. The course provides academic training and support for coursework and the final dissertation.
0 credits
Level 5
Third Sub Session
Preparation for 18,000-word dissertation written on a topic related to the student's taught Master's programme and agreed to by the supervisor and the programme co-ordinator.
60 credits
Level 5
Third Sub Session
A dissertation written on a topic related to the student's taught Master's programme and agreed to by the supervisor and the programme co-ordinator.
We have detected that you are have compatibility mode enabled or are using an old version of Internet Explorer. You either need to switch off compatibility mode for this site or upgrade your browser.
