The Department of History of Art, Architecture & Landscape (AAL) in Groningen is unique because, in the Bachelor program, it combines the study of the visual arts, urbanism, architectural history and the history of landscapes, and examines the relationships between artwork, city and landscape.
Typical for the courses of the landscape section is the interaction between designed landscapes, country estates (gardens, parks, land art: phenomena closely linked to urban planning) and the geological and archaeological features of landscapes, and the way it integrates the representation of landscapes in artworks (notably paintings – here it connects to art history). Specifically, the architectural and urban history section positions classical, object-based history and theory as the basis for addressing contemporary issues, notably in cultural heritage. Characteristic of the approach of the art history section is that it transcends the traditional lines of division between different periods and, while acknowledging the efficacy of chronological series in teaching, stresses the common features of works of art as material objects (with a special focus on their educational properties).
The MA Landscape History (in Dutch) at the University of Groningen focuses on the past, present and future of cultural landscapes within their broader environmental, socio-economic and cultural contexts. This master shows a strong interdisciplinary approach combining historical maps and written sources with earth scientific, environmental and toponymical data, field observations as well as local knowledge gained by interviews. The courses include both Dutch and European landscapes and not only focus on historical topics, but also on the application of landscape knowledge in nature and landscape management, rural planning, heritage management as well as climate change policies.
