Vocabulary and Techniques of Art in Architecture
Code: 100539 ECTS Credits: 6| Degree | Type | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Art History | FB | 1 |
Contact
- Name:
- Laia Cutrina i Gallart
- Email:
- laia.cutrina@uab.cat
Teachers
- Laia Cutrina i Gallart
Teaching groups languages
You can view this information at the end of this document.
Prerequisites
This course has no prerequisites.
Objectives and Contextualisation
The course serves as an auxiliary subject in relation to art studies and aims to provide a foundational understanding of terminology and procedures related to various artistic techniques, while also tracing their historical development. Particular emphasis will be placed on learning the vocabulary necessary to understand the artistic practices of each period and to approach them from an academic and historiographical perspective.
Studying this subject in the first year of the degree will offer an essential first contact with specific artistic vocabulary, which is crucial for mastering the other courses taught throughout the program. Students will acquire the theoretical and practical knowledge needed to understand the different artistic techniques used throughout history, in order to better comprehend how these techniques influence and shape the final outcome of a work of art.
Competences
- Applying the mastery of the basic critical and methodological tools in order to understand and narrate Art History and reflect on the profession of art historian.
- Applying the specific scientific methodologies of the discipline of Art History.
- Demonstrating they know the history of the artistic ideas and the main theoretical currents that inspired the reflection about art, cinema, its creators and its audience through history.
- Expressing specific knowledge about the origin, evolution and various fields of study of Art History, as well as the classic and actual subjects, vocabulary and debates of the discipline.
- Recognising the fundamental problems, vocabulary and concepts of the Theory of Art and Cinema.
- Students must be capable of applying their knowledge to their work or vocation in a professional way and they should have building arguments and problem resolution skills within their area of study.
- Students must develop the necessary learning skills in order to undertake further training with a high degree of autonomy.
Learning Outcomes
- Analysing classical and current debates of the History of Art.
- Analysing ideas about an artistic phenomenon in a given cultural context.
- Applying the knowledge about aesthetic ideas and Art Theory to the analysis of the artistic imagery.
- Critically analysing basic concepts of artistic and cinematographic theory and its evolution through history.
- Demonstrating the knowledge of scientific methodology, sources and Art Theory in the reading, criticism and formal, iconographic and symbolic interpretation of any artistic or cinematographic imagery.
- Interpreting and communicating the contents of a text about theory of art and cinema.
- Interpreting the fundamental concepts of Theory of Art with a critical eye.
- Summarising acquired knowledge about the origin and transformations experienced by the general Theory of Art and the various fields of study of the discipline.
- Using the knowledge of general Art Theory in the criticism of the artistic imagery.
- Working in teams, respecting the other's points of view and designing collaboration strategies.
Content
- Introduction to the history of architecture: materials, elements, and construction systems.
- Pictorial arts and other two-dimensional techniques.
- Sculpture: techniques, typologies, and materials.
- Sumptuary arts and object-based art.
- Contemporary art techniques and new technologies applied to current artistic practices.
The five content blocks will be explained in detail on the first day of class.
Activities and Methodology
| Title | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type: Directed | |||
| Theorical classes | 40 | 1.6 | 1, 2, 3, 5, 10, 9 |
| Type: Supervised | |||
| Fieldwork | 14 | 0.56 | 3, 5, 7, 8, 10 |
| In-class activities | 7 | 0.28 | 4, 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 6, 8, 10, 9 |
| Type: Autonomous | |||
| Assignments posted on the "Campus Virtual" | 9 | 0.36 | 4, 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 6, 8, 9 |
| Autonomous study | 60 | 2.4 | |
| Final work | 20 | 0.8 | 3, 7, 10 |
The course is based on lectures, which will be accompanied by interactive activities and other educational tasks. Field trips to museums, exhibitions, or workshops will also be carried out to deepen technical knowledge about the history of art.
Theoretical classes
Presentation of the fundamental theoretical contents of the subject by the professor using audiovisual materials and with references to the bibliography.
Fieldwork (PCAM) and assignment
Three mandatory field trips to museums or institutions linked to artistic production and heritage conservation will take place during December and January. The schedule for the trips will be from 10:00 am to 2:30 pm. On the first day of class, details about the assignment will be provided.
In-class activities
A set of activities, methodologies, and interactions carried out during in-person sessions with the aim of facilitating active learning, student participation, and content comprehension. These activities will always take place in the classroom and may include debates, reading and analysis of texts, case study analysis, group work, presentations, guided exercises, or other strategies that promote a critical and participatory attitude.
Follow-up tutorials
Their purpose is to monitor student progress, guide possible interests, and also address any questions or needs regarding individual work or study follow-up for the subject. Students must email the professor in advance to schedule a tutorial.
Complementary activities
Attendance is recommended, whenever possible, to other exhibitions and lectures related to the course and recommended by the professor.
Annotation: Within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.
Assessment
Continous Assessment Activities
| Title | Weighting | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Final work | 20% | 0 | 0 | 1, 10 |
| In-class activities and assignments posted on the "Campus Virtual" | 20% | 0 | 0 | 4, 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 6, 8, 9 |
| Re-evaluation | Variable | 0 | 0 | 4, 2, 3, 5, 7, 6, 8, 9 |
| Test 1 | 30% | 0 | 0 | 4, 2, 3, 5, 7, 6, 8, 9 |
| Test 2 | 30% | 0 | 0 | 4, 2, 3, 5, 7, 6, 8, 9 |
This course does not have a single final evaluation system. Continuous assessment consists of four parts:
- Partial exam 1: 30% of the final grade.
- Partial exam 2: 30% of the final grade.
- Fieldwork assignment (PCAM), which accounts for 20%.
- In-class activities and assignments posted on the "Campus Virtual": attendance and active participation in classroom activities will be evaluated, as well as the completion of tasks posted on the Campus Virtual to ensure good monitoring of the subject (20% of the final grade).
To pass the course, it is mandatory to have taken both partial exams (exam 1 and 2), submitted the PCAM assignment, attended the three field trips, and participated in at least half of the in-class activities. Class attendance, participation in all activities, and submission of all tasks posted on the Campus Virtual may help to raise the final grade if appropriate.
Only students who have failed but met the following conditions will be eligible for resit exams—on the date set by the Faculty’s Academic Management: attended both partial exams, attended all three PCAM field trips, submitted the PCAM assignment, and participated in at least half of the in-class activities. To calculate the average with the other grades, one of the two exams must be passed with a grade of 5 or higher and the other with at least a 4. In the resit, students only need to retake the part they failed (either the 1st and/or 2nd exam; other assessments are nonrecoverable). To participate in the resit process, the student must have obtained a minimum final grade of 3'5.
Definition of Non-evaluable
Students will receive a "Non-evaluable" grade if they have submitted less than 30% of the assessment activities.
Plagiarism
If a student commits any irregularity that could lead to asignificant variation in the grade of an assessment activity, that activity will be graded with a zero, regardless of any disciplinary process that may follow. If multiple irregularities occur in the assessments of the same course, the final grade for that course will be zero.
Use of AI
For this course, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies is allowed exclusively in tasks or activities designated by the professor. Students must clearly identify which parts were generated using AI, specify the tools used, and include a critical reflection on how these influenced the process and the final outcome of the activity. Lack of transparency in the use of AI in any assessed activity will be considered academic dishonesty and may result in partial or total grade penalties or more severe sanctions in serious cases.
Bibliography
ALEGRE CARVAJAL, Esther, TUSELL GARCÍA, Genoveva y LÓPEZ DÍAZ, Jesús, Técnicas y medios artísticos, Madrid, 2011.
ANGOSO, Diana et al., Las técnicas artísticas, Akal y Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza, Madrid, 2005, 4 vols.
BORRAS, Gonzalo y FATAS, Guillermo, Diccionario de términos de arte y elementos de arqueologia, heráldica y numismàtica, Zaragoza, 1980.
CALVO MANUEL, Ana Maria., Conservación y restauración: Materiales, técnicas y procedimientos: De la A a la Z., Barcelona, 1997.
COLE, Emily, La gramática de la arquitectura, Madrid, 2013. https://bibcercador.uab.cat/permalink/34CSUC_UAB/avjcib/alma991010726603406709
FERNANDEZ ARENAS, José, Barcelona, 1996.
OCAMPO, Estela, Diccionario de términos artísticos y arqueológicos, Barcelona, 1992. https://bibcercador.uab.cat/permalink/34CSUC_UAB/1eqfv2p/alma991001871339706709
FUGA, Antonella., Técnicas y materiales del arte,Madrid, 2004.
FULLANA, Miquel, Diccionari de l’Art i dels Oficis de la Construcció, Mallorca, 1974.
KROUSTALLIS, Stephanos, Diccionario de materias y técnicas (Vol. I. Materias). Tesauro para la descripción y catalogación de bienes culturales, Madrid, Ministerio de Cultura. 2008.
MALTESE, Corado. (coor.), Las técnicas artísticas, Madrid, 1985. https://bibcercador.uab.cat/discovery/fulldisplay?
MAYER, Ralph, Materiales y técnicas del arte, Madrid, 1993 (2ª ed.).
ORTEGA ANDRADE, Francisco, Historia de la construcción, Las Palmasde Gran Canaria, 1993. https://bibcercador.uab.cat/permalink/34CSUC_UAB/1eqfv2p/alma991003596969706709
PEVSNER, Nikolaus, Breve historia de la arquitectura europea, Madrid, 1994. https://bibcercador.uab.cat/permalink/34CSUC_UAB/1eqfv2p/alma991001265379706709
PLAZA ESCUDERO, Lorenzo., etal., Diccionario visual de términos arquitectónicos, Madrid, 2015. https://bibcercador.uab.cat/permalink/34CSUC_UAB/1eqfv2p/alma991005965999706709
RIVERA BLANCO, José Javier et al., Manual de técnicas artísticas. Madrid, 1997.
SEGARRÉS, Marta, Les diverses arts. Tractat de tècniques artístiques. Teòfil, Publicacions i Edicions de la Universitat de Barcona, 2023.
VIRDIS, Alberto, Colors in Medieval Art. Theories, Matter, and Light from Suger to Grosseteste (1100–1250), Viella Editrice, 2023.
WARE, Dora; BEATTY, Betty, Diccionario manual ilustrado de arquitectura, Barcelona, 2012 https://elibro.net/es/lc/uab/titulos/45534
WILKES, Angela, Historia de la pintura: cómo se hizo arte, Madrid, 2020. https://bibcercador.uab.cat/permalink/34CSUC_UAB/1eqfv2p/alma991010726586806709
ZALBIDEA, Maria Antonia, Els vernissos artístics. Revisió i evolució, Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València, 2014.
Software
Specific software is not required.
Groups and Languages
Please note that this information is provisional until 30 November 2025. You can check it through this link. To consult the language you will need to enter the CODE of the subject.
| Name | Group | Language | Semester | Turn |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (PCAM) Field practices | 11 | Catalan | first semester | morning-mixed |
| (PCAM) Field practices | 12 | Catalan | first semester | morning-mixed |
| (PCAM) Field practices | 13 | Catalan | first semester | morning-mixed |
| (TE) Theory | 1 | Catalan | first semester | morning-mixed |