Course Details in 2026/27 Session

Module Title	LH An Unnatural History: Animals in Modern Western Art
School	Lan, Cult, Art Hist & Music
Department	Art Hist, Cur and Vis Studies
Module Code	09 30794
Module Lead	Dr Samuel Shaw
Level	Honours Level
Credits	20
Semester	Semester 2
Pre-requisites
Co-requisites
Restrictions	None
Contact Hours	Lecture-10 hours Seminar-20 hours Guided independent study-170 hours Total: 200 hours
Exclusions
Description	Drawing on recent developments in the field of animal studies, this special subject module will explore the representations, and uses of, animals (or ‘non-human animals’) in Western art from the nineteenth century to the present day. As an interdisciplinary, and often highly politically-charged, field of study, animal studies can offer us a new perspective on modern art, demanding consideration of objects and artists usually seen as being outside ‘the canon’. Though images of animals have always been popular (think Edwin Landseer’s Victorian dog paintings), and despite the centrality of animals in the contemporary art scene (Damien Hirst’s shark suspended in formaldehyde), art historians have often been resistant to the representation of animals – perhaps mindful of the dark truths many of these images conceal. This module offers a thematic rather than a chronological overview of the subject, with key themes including empathy, ethics, anthropomorphism, imperialism, domestication, symbolism, sexuality, and conservation. We will examine a wide range of material, from natural history illustrations to children’s books, equestrian portraits to performance art, zoo architecture to taxidermy. There may even be some works of art by animals. Artists discussed will include figures as varied as George Stubbs and Mark Dion, Beatrix Potter and Lucian Freud.
Learning Outcomes	By the end of the module students should be able to: demonstrate a detailed and comprehensive knowledge of the module’s taught content. describe relationships between relevant artworks and the cultural and social environment of the period covered by the module. identify and analyse relevant artworks produced during the period covered by the module. comment on theoretical and other matters embodied in primary or other sources relating to the period covered by the module.
Assessment	30794-01 : Essay : Coursework (50%) 30794-02 : Exam : Exam (Centrally Timetabled) - Written Unseen (50%)
Assessment Methods & Exceptions	Assessment: 1 x 2500-word essay (50% of the final module mark) 1 x 1.5-hour unseen examination (50% of the final module mark) Alternative assessment if on campus activity is restricted: proctored exams will be converted to take home papers. Reassessment: Re-submission of failed component
Other
Reading List