AS and A level History of Art are essay based courses concerned with analysing works of art and architecture within an historical context and require no practical artistic skills. Students will learn how works of art and architecture are made through an analysis of stylistic techniques andmethods involved, such as fresco, tempera, oil, terracotta, bronze, marble and building methods. We supplement the work we cover in class with visits to London, current exhibitions, local galleries and architectural sites. This subject works well when combined with virtually any other subject, in particular it complements Ancient and Modern History, Classics, English and any of the languages (especially useful for the Civilisation aspect). In addition, it provides a student with a suitable alternative to the more traditional essay based subjects. It is hoped that some study trips abroad will also be undertaken within the two year course.

AS
The AS consists of two modules introducing the candidates to the chronological history of Western Art from the Greeks to the present day.The study of these modules further equips them with a knowledge and understanding of the methodology and terminology associated with creation of a wide range of art and architecture. A strong component of this part of the course is visual analysis, with much emphasis placed on questioning works of art and discerning various meanings, underlying structure, and methodology. It may be taken as a one year free standing qualification, or it may be undertaken as the first half of a full A level qualification.

A2
This also consists of two modules which allow the candidate to investigate and interpret specific periods of art in greater historical depth and stylistic detail. We will study the Early and High Renaissance, considering the work of individual artists and architects such as Masaccio, Donatello, Brunelleschi, Ghiberti, Michelangelo, Raphael and Leonardo da Vinci, amongst many others. It is during this year of study that the student develops a more sophisticated and highly knowledgeable approach to analysing works of art and architecture within a specific historical context. There is no longer any written project within this syllabus, but if students are particularly interested there is scope for engaging in a personal study.

Requirements
It should be stressed this is not an art appreciation course. This course requires students not only to consider style but to learn how to construct and present an argument, based upon the critical analysis of the iconography of an image, considering its technical production and historical context, using the appropriate terminology.

After A Level
In terms of University entry this subject equips students with critical and analytical techniques, valuable assets for most undergraduate courses. Its value is clearly recognised by Cambridge given its recent expansion of the History of Art course offered there. Students may choose to go on to university to study History of Art, with the intention of following a career in the arts field - including galleries, auction houses, and academia. However, History of Art provides any university candidate with a sound cultural understanding, with many students pursuing careers in the civil service, finance, journalism, teaching and advertising.