This course aims to deepen an understanding of basic theoretical concepts in the history of art and design; to gain familiarity with some key writings by artists, art historians and art critics; to develop strategies for evaluating theoretical arguments against appropriate visual works; and to develop competence and confidence in evaluating works of art/design and interpretive strategies developed for our understanding of them. Key concepts to be investigated are: style, connoisseurship, formalism, iconography, sociological perspectives, semiotics, gender, sexuality, cultural studies, modernity and post modernity. The course has been developed around a seminar structure which will encourage students to learn through looking, reading, thinking, and informed arguing. All students will be required to purchase a reader. Material is presented as a mix of lectures and occasional tutorials.