production
Skip to Content

HC3503: ICONS I: GREAT FIGURES PAST AND PRESENT (2015-2016)

Last modified: 25 Mar 2016 11:39


Course Overview

This course provides an opportunity to examine 'icons': great figures past and present that are part of our cultural, intellectual, political and religious vocabulary, helping us to narrate our lives. Stripping away the myths and popular understandings, how, where and why did such figures originate? A key aim is for students to take one such figure and explore critically the icon's biography, historical origins or cultural derivations. Examples may include prominent figures in history or contemporary culture, such as Marilyn Monroe, Hitler, Michelangelo, Napoleon, Elizabeth I, Darwin and Buddha. For further information please see course guide.

Course Details

Study Type Undergraduate Level 3
Term Second Term Credit Points 15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits)
Campus Old Aberdeen Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Dr Ben Marsden

Qualification Prerequisites

None.

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

  • Either Programme Level 3 or Programme Level 4

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

None.

Are there a limited number of places available?

No

Course Description

Course Aims

This course provides an opportunity to examine ?icons?: great figures past and present that are part of our cultural, intellectual, political and religious vocabulary, helping us to narrate our lives. Stripping away the myths and popular understandings, how, where and why did such figures originate? A key aim is for students to take one such figure and explore critically the icon's biography, historical origins or cultural derivations. Examples may include prominent figures in history or contemporary culture, such as Marilyn Monroe, Hitler, Michelangelo, Napoleon, Elizabeth I, Darwin and Buddha.

Main Learning Outcomes

By researching, discussing with a supervisor, and writing a critical account of the origins of their chosen icon, students will demonstrate:
  • enhanced analytical writing skills
  • enhanced critical thinking
  • enhanced understanding of the construction and critique of accounts of such figures
  • enhanced verbal communication skills
  • enhanced independence in project development

Course Content

The course will begin with a short series of lectures discussing: the term 'icon' in historical, art-historical, religious and other contexts; the strengths, pitfalls and paradoxes of history restricted to 'great figures'; issues surrounding the exploration of ?icons? including life-writing, self-representation in texts and visual media; the construction of myths. Lectures will then consider how, in practice, icons might be investigated and discussed in a critical account of their origins.  Students will select their icon from a broad range of figures proposed by the course team. Students may, in consultation with the course co-ordinator, choose an icon not on the list. The MyAberdeen site will include examples of how to construct a critical account.


Contact Teaching Time

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers


Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 30 August 2024 for 1st term courses and 20 December 2024 for 2nd term courses.

Summative Assessments

1st Attempt

One 3000-word essay.

Resit

One 3000-word essay on a different icon, to be agreed with course co-ordinator.

Formative Assessment

One 800-word outline, with key bibliography of texts and sources, submitted online, and returned by supervisor with written feedback.

Feedback

Formative: supervisor provides verbal and written feedback on 800-word outline.
Summative: supervisor provides written feedback on 3000-word essay.

Course Learning Outcomes

None.

Compatibility Mode

We have detected that you are have compatibility mode enabled or are using an old version of Internet Explorer. You either need to switch off compatibility mode for this site or upgrade your browser.