Art History, Visual Culture and Media Studies, BA (Hons)

In today's hyper-visual world, dominated by evolving media forms, understanding the history and dynamics of visual and media cultures is essential. At Essex, students explore a wide array of art, visual culture, and media from past to present, including canonical art and architecture, as well as diverse elements like video art, medical photography, tattoos, and protest objects. The curriculum also examines contemporary media shaping daily life, such as film, television, photography, social media, and advertising. No prior A-level in art or history is required; instead, we value fresh perspectives that foster innovative inquiry.Through interdisciplinary modules, students develop critical thinking and skills to analyze visual media deeply, uncovering new insights into its histories and meanings. Key topics include world cinema, digital media, contemporary art, and politics. Essex stands out for its research excellence, ranked 6th among UK art history departments (REF 2014), with expert teaching from the first year. Please note, this course is subject to approval.