Admissions - Subjects Admissions - Subjects
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These notes describe the admissions procedure and the teaching of History of Art at Queens', and should be read in conjunction with the relevant sections of the Cambridge University Undergraduate Prospectus. The teaching of History of Art at Cambridge is based substantially on the first-hand study of visual material, and draws extensively on the outstanding collections of art and examples of architecture available in the University and the City. In addition, all undergraduates are introduced to the historiography, criticism and theory of art in their first and second years. At Queens’ the Director of Studies in History of Art is Dr James Campbell who is also a Fellow of the College. He is an architectural historian but all subjects are supervised by the specialist course lecturers. Queens’ thus welcomes applicants who are interested in all aspects of the History of Art and aims to take two students a year, although there is no limit imposed on places.
The Course Part I of the History of Art Tripos familiarises students with the teaching and learning methods of the University, and is intended to offer a broad introduction to the making and meaning of art using the resources of the University, and of the Fitzwilliam Museum in particular. The aim is to introduce students to a wide range of themes and methods in the history of European art and architecture, and to encourage them to develop visual, literary and analytical skills. In Part II the study of special subjects, which range from the art and architecture of Medieval and Renaissance Europe to the Modern Period, is linked to a course taken by all students on the historiography and theory of art, and to the study of works of art and architecture in the immediate environment of Cambridge. Special subject teaching lies at the heart of the Department’s work, since by its means undergraduates are provided directly with the fruits of the research conducted by the teaching staff. Students are also expected to undertake a final dissertation on a topic appropriate to their interests and abilities. Undergraduates are taught principally in supervisions, where they meet once a week in small groups with supervisors in their subject, to discuss the written work they produce. They also attend lectures and seminars in the Department. These are supplied by a wide range of experts, including not only the teaching staff of the Department, but also visiting lecturers distinguished in their fields. Assessment is based largely on performance in examinations taken in May and June. These consist of essay papers and photographic test papers; the photographic test papers are regarded as central, in order that students may develop to the full their powers of visual analysis. Unlike many universities, the Department has no termly course work assessment, since it is felt that the learning process and the free exchange of ideas should not be cramped by constant anxiety on the part of students as to their performance. The supervision system provides regular week-by-week feedback. Both in Part I and Part II, students must submit written work in the form of long essays or dissertations in addition to the end-of-year examinations; these form an increasingly important part of the assessment process (the final Dissertation is double-weighted in marks), and create alternative scope for undergraduates to demonstrate their strengths outside the examination room. Although knowledge of art and architecture in and around Cambridge is particularly stressed, students are also expected to undertake a reasonable amount of travel elsewhere in order to gain first-hand experience of the objects of their study in special subjects and dissertations. The Department also organises short study trips in connection with some special subjects and other teaching.
Admissions Applicants to Queens’ would normally expect to have A, A, A at A-level (or equivalent) in academic subjects. They may offer a wide range of those international qualifications recognised by the University as a whole, including European and International Baccalaureates. Candidates are not expected to have studied History of Art at school, and an A-level in History of Art does not necessarily confer an advantage. However, if candidates apply without being able to offer any evidence of informed interest in the subject, or why they might want to study it at all, they may be disadvantaged. For this reason A-levels in arts subjects will provide a particularly useful basis for consideration, but a mix of arts and sciences is also useful. The History of Art is a diverse discipline, and there is no single `ideal’ candidate.
Further information about the course can be obtained from the Faculty of History of Art on www.hoart.cam.ac.uk
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