course-details-portlet

KUH3008

Aesthetics and Politics

This course is no longer taught and is only available for examination.

Credits 7.5
Level Second degree level
Language of instruction Norwegian
Location Trondheim
Examination arrangement Home examination

About

About the course

Course content

This course addresses political aspects of art; how it is used democratically by artists to express opinions, but also how it can be used by patrons and authorities with rhetorical and propagandistic purposes. The monuments can be architecture as well as art works from different periods, but the focus will always be on the interaction between the object/material and theory. The theoretical perspective will vary in each case according to the subject matter discussed.

Learning outcome

Knowledge

After completing the course, the student will have obtained:

  • in depth knowledge of how different intellectual theories and positions understand art's social role and significance
  • insight into how a given theoretical approach affects the understanding of the art historical object
  • understanding of art's political dimension in contemporary and historical perspective
  • knowledge about how the production and reception of art and/or architecture is determined by institutional circumstances

Skills

After completing the course, the student will be able to:

  • discuss central aesthetic and art theoretical issues in relation to specific works of art
  • reflect on how works of art can assume a political significance
  • be able to discuss issues related to art as visual, political and/or rhetorical and propagandistic means of expression
  • discuss art in light of specific and relevant interpretative traditions, and on this basis take part in current public debates about different artwork's meaning and value
  • be able to present results of study and research orally and in writing

Learning methods and activities

Lectures and seminars.

Obligatory activity: an oral seminar paper must be approved before the student can present himself for the final assessment in the course.

The students are required to keep posted on messages from the department or teacher at Blackboard.

Teaching is usually conducted in Norwegian but may take place in English.

Compulsory assignments

  • Oral seminar presentation

Further on evaluation

The final assessment is based on a 3-days home exam of aprox. 3000 words.

Specific conditions

Admission to a programme of study is required:
Art History (MKUH)

Course materials

Curriculum is approx. 700-800 pages of set texts.

Credit reductions

Course code Reduction From
KUH3013 7.5 sp Autumn 2016
HFKUH302 7.5 sp Autumn 2016
HFKUH303 7.5 sp Autumn 2016
KRIT3003 7.5 sp Autumn 2016
KUH3002 7.5 sp Autumn 2016
This course has academic overlap with the courses in the table above. If you take overlapping courses, you will receive a credit reduction in the course where you have the lowest grade. If the grades are the same, the reduction will be applied to the course completed most recently.

Subject areas

  • The History of Art

Contact information

Department with academic responsibility

Department of Art and Media Studies

Examination

Examination

Examination arrangement: Home examination
Grade: Letter grades

Ordinary examination - Autumn 2025

Home examination
Weighting 100/100 Date Release 2025-10-20
Submission 2025-10-23
Time Release 10:00
Submission 10:00
Duration 3 days Exam system Inspera Assessment

Ordinary examination - Spring 2026

Home examination
Weighting 100/100 Duration 3 days Exam system Inspera Assessment