Art History The Open University

Department name: Department of Art History
Qualification, duration, mode: PhD 36FT 72PT variableDL*MPhil 15FT 24PT variableDL
Months of entry: October
Entry requirements: PhD: The normal minimum entrance requirement is an upper second class honours degree or master's degree, relevant to the proposed area of study, from a recognised higher education institution in the UK. You should also have experience of academic research in the previous four years, normally in the form of either a master's degree in research methods, an undergraduate degree with a research element in the final year, or work-related experience with evidence through research reports. If you're not sure if you meet the entry requirements, please contact us (research-degrees-team@open.ac.uk). MPhil: see http://www3.open.ac.uk/study/research-degrees/ for more information.
Course description: The Department of Art History specialises in high-quality research and teaching relating to several areas of art and architectural history. These include Byzantine art; the Renaissance (both in Italy and in Northern Europe); art and art theory from the seventeenth through to the twentieth century; recent and contemporary art practice; a cross-period interest in gender studies; architecture and material culture; and heritage studies. Our fully illustrated teaching books (co-published with Yale University Press) have attracted international recognition and many are best sellers. We run a popular MA in Art History and supervise PhD students. The department has four research groups, some of which are interdisciplinary: - Artistic networks, 1300-1550. - Eighteenth-century visual cultures. - Gender in the humanities. - Modern art theory and practice. In addition the department plays a key role in two inter-departmental research groups. The interfaculty Heritage Studies Research Group promotes a critical approach to understanding the role of heritage in society, looking at the historic environment, interpretation and sustainability issues as well as collections history. The Material Cultures Research Group uses a critical consideration of the role of tangible expressions of culture in society. Topics of interest range from the uses of Byzantine icons to the impact of social housing on gender relations. Key facts - The 2008 Research Assessment Exercise results showed 40 per cent of our research is 'internationally excellent' and 25 per cent 'world-leading'. - Our 2008 RAE score placed us within the top ten institutions nationally offering art history. - We offer regular opportunities to participate in our collaborative study days held at Tate Modern, the Barbican, the Victoria and Albert Museum, Milton Keynes Gallery, the Walker Art Gallery and the Baltic. - We offer unique access to an archive of gallery-based events, lectures and seminars through The Open Arts Archive. - Our staff has been successful in obtaining substantial funding for high-profile research projects from The Leverhulme Trust and other funding bodies.
Named pathways: - Artistic networks, 1300-1550. - Eighteenth-century visual cultures. - Gender in the humanities. - Modern art theory and practice.
Funding: Please see The Open University website http://www3.open.ac.uk/study/research-degrees/ for more information.
New students enrolled annually: unknown
Total enrolled students: unknown
Contact name: Art Research School
Contact email: arts-research-students@open.ac.uk
Contact phone: +44 (0)1908 652479
Contact web: http://www3.open.ac.uk/study/research-degrees/
Apply online: Apply online