Duration
30h Th, 3d FT Tr. Pr.
Number of credits
| Bachelor in history of art and archaeology : general | 5 crédits | |||
| Bachelor in history | 5 crédits | |||
| Bachelor in history of art and archaeology : musicology | 5 crédits |
Lecturer
Language(s) of instruction
French language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the first semester, review in January
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
"Contextualised Analysis of the Garden (Structures, Images, Texts)"
The garden constitutes a particularly fertile theme through which to explore Roman civilisation. Omnipresent accross all contexts of daily life, both in its planted form and in its various figurative manifestations within décors, the Roman garden conveys a particular conception of the world, of nature and of the divine.
In order to gain a comprehensive understanding of its development within the Roman world, its diverse forms and functions, as well as its dissemination and appropriation in the provinces, this course will undertake a transmedial analysis (encompassing all media, including planting, painting, sculpture, mosaic, etc.) and a contextualised analysis (taking into account archaeological, chronological and geographical, socio-cultural, economic, political, intellectual and religious contexts). The theme of the garden will thus be examined across the Roman world at its broadest extent (including the maximum territorial extent of the provinces) and over the longue durée, from the 2nd century BC to the 6th century AD. This approach is based on a critical and systematic comparison of architectural, archaeobotanical and iconographic evidence with written sources produced within the same socio-cultural framework. It therefore invites students to consider material and visual remains (buildings, artefacts and decorative schemes) as historical documents in their own right, on an equal footing with sources belonging to the written tradition. The course will also provide an opportunity for collective reflection on the role of art history and archaeology in addressing contemporary societal issues.
Throughout the course, different perspectives will be explored in order to illuminate the various possible approaches to the subject and to address a range of research questions. In doing so, the course will offer students an insight into the different methodological pathways that may be pursued in research projects such as a TFC or TFE, among others.
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
The two Block 3 courses (HAAR0072-2 and HAAR0073-2) are built on the knowledge acquired during the first two years of study and complement one another through the adoption of an integrated approach to the art history and archaeology of Greco-Roman Antiquity. This approach seeks to move beyond the arbitrary distinction between "art history" and "archaeology" in favour of a cultural history of the Greek and Roman worlds. The aim is to test students' fundamental knowledge relating to the study of Antiquity (including historical references and geographical frameworks, political and social institutions, religious practices and cultural traditions) through the contextualised study of Greco-Roman monuments, artefacts and decorative schemes. Equal consideration is given to evidence deriving from material and visual culture and to that provided by written traditions. The main learning objective is to define and apply a research process appropriate to a given research question. The courses will therefore provide students with methodological tools for interpreting Roman remains and developing a critical approach towards the construction of a research project, including work undertaken for the TFC and TFE.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
None - bearing in mind that the History of Art and Archaeology of Greek-Roman Antiquity is only one element of the indissociable whole of the Sciences of Antiquity (history, philology, history of religion).
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
For BAC students, regular presence in class is required, as well as analytical and verification work in the library which is required to pull together all the material presented. These hours of personal study, which will be required throughout the year, should be equivalent (or greater than) the number of hours in class. It is also advised that the foundations are laid on the basis of bibliographical and iconographical information. Depending on the needs identified throughout the course, practical exercises will be introduced in class.
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)
Face-to-face course
Further information:
Face-to-face course
Classes resume on Thursday, 24 September 2026
Additional information:
Lectures, illustrated with projected images, during which students are expected to participate actively through critical discussion and practical exercises; a teaching visit to a museum to enable students to engage directly with works of art.
Course materials and recommended or required readings
Platform(s) used for course materials:
- eCampus
Further information:
According to the reading list provided throughout the course.
Exam(s) in session
Any session
- In-person
oral exam
Written work / report
Further information:
Exam(s) in session
Any session
- In-person
- oral examination
AND a short written assignment to be submitted and and presented at the exam
Work placement(s)
No placements are planned during this course.
Invitation à participer à une journée d'études organisées - pour les étudiants inscrits aux cours HAAR0072 et HAAR0073 - dans les collections gréco-romaines du Musée du Cinquantenaire de Bruxelle ou du Musée Royal de Mariemont.
Organisational remarks and main changes to the course
This course will take place every week from Thursday 24 September 2026, in line with the organigramme which has been established (Thursdays 4pm to 6pm / R30). No breaks are planned during the class.
Contacts
Meetings at the History of Art and Archaeology of Greek and Roman Antiquity Department: upon appointment
Lecturer
Stéphanie DERWAEL, professeure associée
Département des Sciences historiques
Quai Roosevelt 1b (Bât. A4) à B-4000 Liège
Courrier électronique : s.derwael@uliege.be
http://www.shaaragr.uliege.be
Secretariat
Josiane DERULLIEUR
Tél. 04.366.53.41