Department of Art History, University of Ljubljana
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15 Jul 2018
13 Jan 2019
The exhibition Toward a Concrete Utopia: Architecture in Yugoslavia, 1948–1980, featuring also works by Edvard Ravnikar, Jože Plečnik and Niko Kralj (with contribution by Martina Malešič, Department of Art History, University of Ljubljana) and works by the contemporary visual artist and filmmaker Jasmina Cibic,
History
Art history studies at the Faculty of Arts were already planned at the beginning of preparations for the establishment of the University of Ljubljana at the end of World War I, in 1919. The establishment of this study was entrusted to one of the “fathers” of Art History in Slovenia, Izidor Cankar. Lectures were launched in 1920, but were poorly attended until World War II, when access to courses increased significantly. There were already 50 seminar attendants after the war, which travelled trough Slovenia and Yugoslavia, and even got involved in some work campaigns, related to some endangered art historical sites. France Stele led the fieldwork seminar until 1957, when he retired and left his place to Stane Mikuž. Mikuž initiated first major extension of the section, and in the following decades the studies were divided in two chairs, the first covering the field of European art history, the second Slovenian and Yugoslav history. In 1993 the department moved to the southern tract of the third floor of Faculty of Arts.
The renewal of the program itself was started already in the nineties of 20th century, which provided a greater choice of seminars. The latest set of changes is linked to the Bologna reform, with the scheme 3+2 and term lectures. The renewed program began to be implemented following serious disputes, in 2008/2009, which is relativly late if compared to some other Faculty of Arts departments.
Programme / Mission
Study programs in Art History are Single-Major, non-pedagogic orientation (title: BA, Art Historian) and Double-Major, pedagogic orientation (title: BA, Teacher of Art History). According to Bologna reform there are three levels of study:
- Single-major and double-major undergraduate university studies of Art History
- Postgraduate studies of Art History (medieval, modern and protection of monuments)
- Doctoral studies of Art History (medieval, modern and protection of monuments).
As a double-major program, Art History can be studied in combination with almost any other program offered at the Faculty of Arts in Ljubljana, and (on the basis of established contracts) with some programs of other faculties.
In the first two years the programme consists of introductory courses (general, Slovene Art, Iconography) as well as surveys of European Art (medieval, modern), Slovene Art (medieval, modern) and the Art of Ancient Cultures. In the third and fourth years the programme focuses on seminars and special courses.
The aim of all four programmes is to qualify students for responsible professional work in different fields that involve Art History (museums, institutes for protection of the cultural heritage). The pedagogic orientation includes subjects and practical work which qualify students for teaching Art History in primary and secondary schools (art history, teaching methodology, pedagogic skills, psychology, etc).
International cooperation
Within Slovenia and abroad, strong and regular cooperation has been established with numerous museums, galleries, scientific institutes and others on different levels. Individual teachers are involved in international research/scientific associations and projects.
See also
- Associations
- Libraries