University of Leeds

English and History of Art BA

This engaging course provides you with an opportunity to develop an understanding of literature in English from the medieval period to the present day, as well as an awareness of the ways that art is produced and perceived and how this has changed over time. You will be introduced to the key skills and knowledge needed to critically analyse texts and art, and the historical contexts of the production and reception of art. Our wide range of optional modules allows you to specialise in areas that are of interest to you, from medieval literature to contemporary fiction, Shakespeare to world theatre, aesthetics to museum studies and Buddhist monuments to the dynamics of gender and the body that are operative in art history and visual culture. With so many galleries and museums located in the region, such as the Leeds Art Gallery, the Hepworth Gallery in Wakefield and the Yorkshire Sculpture Park, as well as a vibrant cultural scene, it's a fantastic place to discover these two complementary disciplines. Leeds has plenty of excellent resources for studying English and the history of art. The world-class Brotherton Library boasts unique manuscript, archive and early printed material in its Special Collections \u2013 valuable assets for your independent research. Our additional library resources are also excellent, and the University Library offers a comprehensive training programme to help you make the most of them. A joint honours degree allows you to study the same core topics as students on each single honours course, but you'll take fewer optional and discovery modules so you can fit in both subjects. In your first year, you'll take introductory modules covering the key concepts and approaches in the History of Art, as well as choosing to explore poetry, drama or prose. This allows you to build a good knowledge base on which you can build in the following two years. Throughout your studies, you'll develop analytical and research skills that allow you to form your own conclusions from the information you find. In your final year, you'll get the chance to apply them to an independently researched dissertation in either subject.