Arts and humanities

History of art and archaeology degree

Art history studies plastic works produced (but also conceptual) throughout history: architecture, sculpture, painting, photography, installations, performances, decorative arts, ornaments and clothing. To understand the work from its conception to its use and reception, Art History analyzes it from various angles:
- technical aspects (materials, workshops, worksites)
- historical dimension (political, social and religious context)
- influences and transformations (continuities, ruptures, rebirths)
- uses and meanings (religious, poetic, philosophical, theoretical)
- reception of works (art criticism, museology, heritage)

Archaeology is a discipline that studies, in context, the remains produced by man and the traces of humanity's existence, in the hope of gaining a better understanding of the human past (from prehistory to the present day).
In Grenoble, an introduction to ancient and medieval archaeology is provided by two teachers from the department and an outside consultant (INRAP).

During the Bachelor's degree, students become familiar with the productions of the four major periods:
Antique art Greek, Roman, Early Christian
Medieval art From the 5th to the 15th century (High Middle Ages, Romanesque art, Gothic art)
Modern art from the Renaissance to the end of the 18th century
Contemporary art From the 19th century to the present day
This core curriculum is supplemented by complementary or optional courses in the discipline or in related disciplines.

Theoretical or practical training?

Art History and Archaeology are theoretical disciplines requiring a good command of the language, insofar as their aim is to produce a scientific discourse on works of art and material witnesses of the past. A background in the visual arts is not essential for success in the History of Art and Archaeology degree program, but it may be desirable for those wishing to gain a better understanding of materials, techniques and creative processes. A good command of modern and ancient foreign languages is also essential.

An introductory course is offered in L1 Art History and Archaeology (HAA)/History, with the main focus on Art History and Archaeology, and teaching in the complementary discipline of History. This pathway enables students who are hesitating between these two disciplines to "test-drive" them for a semester or a year. It also gives students the opportunity to reorient themselves in the second semester of the first year, or in the second year, towards the History degree.

History of art and archaeology/Modern literature and History of art and archaeology/Classical literature double bachelor's degrees

The History of Art and Archaeology/Literature (Modern or Classical) double degree is a top-quality program that enables motivated students with good work capacity to acquire and master the fundamentals of several disciplines. These are double courses organized jointly by UFR ARSH and UFR LLASIC (Language, Literature and Performing Arts, Information and Communication).
The timetable is designed to enable students to follow all the core courses of these dual degrees, and to obtain 2 diplomas at the end of the 3 years of validated training. It is also possible, at any point in the curriculum, to branch off into one or other of the bachelor's degrees, provided you have passed the year's courses.
The bachelor's degree provides all students with a solid disciplinary training in both Art History and Archaeology and the Humanities:

• Lettres modernes provides a solid grounding in French literature and language (e.g. literary genres, overview of the French language, learning to read literature, texts and contexts from the Renaissance to modern times) and ancient languages and literature (study of Greek and Latin languages and civilizations).
• Classics provides a solid grounding in the literature and languages of Antiquity (Latin and Greek), as well as in French literature. The aim is to give students the analytical and linguistic tools they need to study literature from different periods and cultural areas.

Master of Art History

The aim of the program is to provide students not only with disciplinary skills, but also with a broad cultural background based on knowledge of the history of religion, science, technology and ideas. The Master's degree :

• aims to deepen the knowledge acquired in the Bachelor's degree by offering seminars in the four periods covered by the discipline (Antiquity, the Middle Ages, the Modern Era and the Present);
• is based on the study of artistic production in the fields of architecture, painting, sculpture, graphic arts, photography, installations and performances;
• includes the phenomena of exhibition, conservation, museography, critical reception, dissemination and reinterpretation;
• engages students in a specialization by choosing a chronological period, an area of expertise or a professional sector.

Master 1 students can also take part in the REACH program (Research-Creation: Collaborative Practices in Arts and History).
The REACH program is a selective training program designed to attract French and foreign students wishing to become researchers, and to train them in creative research. REACH brings together the arts, history, literature and languages in an unprecedented way.
The program, conceived as a minor, will complement existing masters courses with experimental forms of collaborative work (exhibitions, films, performances, digital museums, creative writing, etc.) that will enrich the circulation of knowledge and know-how between university and society. Courses will be offered in English and French.
There is a choice of three courses:
 

• History, technique and theory of the visual arts 

History, Technique and Theory of the Visual Arts:

• engages students in the analysis of works of art, drawing on the study of the texts needed to understand the creative process (literature, philosophy, art criticism, memoirs, etc.).
• is based on the study of archives and private or public collections, and requires students to define a problem adapted to their subject and to formalize their contributions in a precise language.

 

• Museums, exhibitions, heritage

In two years, over 4 semesters (M1 + M2), this course is designed to train Master's level students (Bac + 5) interested in cultural professions: documentalist, exhibition curator, curatorial attaché, tour guide, public relations and communications manager. This course provides both theoretical and practical tools: 

• courses in art history and theory aim to acquire and deepen general knowledge of art history; to familiarize students with the history of museums, collections and exhibitions; to develop a critical approach to heritage discourse and institutional practices in the cultural milieu.
• practical projects and workshops enable students to apply their theoretical knowledge in a concrete way, and learn about the different professional practices involved in the cultural sector. 
• A compulsory internship (minimum 2 months) complements academic teaching with professional experience in a cultural institution. 

Successful completion of the Museums, Exhibitions, Heritage course of the Master's in Art History will entitle the holder to the regulated profession of Guide-conférencier (issued by the Préfecture), subject to validation of a minimum 3-month internship and a C1 level in a foreign language.  

• Art History and Ancient Sciences

The coordinated Antiquity Sciences pathway offers enhanced interdisciplinary training in archaeology, the history of ancient and Late Antique art, Greek and Roman history, Greek and Roman literature and civilization, and ancient philosophy.
Its aim is to provide students with a broad understanding of ancient worlds, by combining the contributions and current research of these different disciplines.