COURSE CURRICULUM

The BA History of Art and Visual Culture at Essex is structured over three years to provide a comprehensive understanding of visual culture, combining theoretical study with practical skills and flexible options. In the first year, students develop foundational knowledge through compulsory modules such as Writing and Researching Art History, Art and Ideas I, and Ways of Seeing, which introduce critical approaches to visual culture and art history. Students can also select from a wide range of optional modules in art history or related disciplines, while the Beyond the BA module supports career development and professional skills. The second year deepens critical understanding with Art and Ideas II and additional compulsory and optional art history modules, allowing students to explore historiography, critique, and the historical context of artworks while tailoring their studies to personal interests. In the third year, the program culminates in Art and Ideas III and a Capstone project, where students integrate their learning through research and practical application, including curating and heritage studies. A variety of optional modules in the final year further enables specialization in areas of interest. Across the course, students gain analytical, research, and practical skills, preparing them for careers in art history, curation, heritage, or other visual culture-related professions, while fostering critical thinking and creative engagement with art.