Contemporary Art in China

Subject AHIS40013 (2016)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2016.

Credit Points: 25
Level: 4 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject is not offered in 2016.

Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 60
Total Time Commitment:

Total expected time commitment is 170 hours across the semester, including class time.

Prerequisites:

Admission to the postgraduate diploma or fourth year honours in art history Master of Art Curatorship (200 point program), or Master of Arts and Cultural Management.

Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects:

107-306/AHIS30003 Art Abroad; 107-466 Contemporary Culture: Art in New York.

Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

Contact

Rebecca Coates

coatesr@unimelb.edu.au

It is important that students contact the lecturer in charge of the subject prior to enrolment to confirm the destination of the fieldwork tour in the year of study and obtain written approval to enrol. Application details will be available from the lecturer in charge and also the School of Culture and Communication.

Subject Overview:

This subject is taught on location in a major art centre (the subject may be taught one year in China, or another year in New York, or in other destinations, as appropriate), using the social, economic, geographical and cultural effects of the art centre as a case study of historical and contemporary culture. Students will be introduced to the key institutional components of an art centre: as appropriate, museums, galleries, alternative spaces, corporate collections, auction houses, art magazines and studios. These will be analysed using models derived from discourse theory, the institutional model of art, urban sociology, psychogeography, architectural history and subcultural theory. Students will study the display and consumption of art, allowing consideration of recent developments in museology, arts policy, commodity theory and cultural tourism.

Students wishing to enrol in this subject must consult the 'Notes' below.

Learning Outcomes:

Students who complete this subject will:

  • have an understanding of key issues in artistic and critical practice in a specific art centre;
  • have the ability to locate specific artistic and critical practices within a social, historical and theoretical context;
  • have the ability to conduct independent research using catalogued sources and bibliographical indexes, including research on-site;
  • be able to research through the compentent use of the library and other information sources, and be able to define areas of inquiry and methods of research in the preparation of essays;
  • be able to conceptualise theoretical problems, form judgements and arguments and communicate critically, creatively and theoretically through essay writing, tutorial discussion and presentations;
  • be able to communicate knowledge intelligibly and economically through essay writing and tutorial discussion;
  • be able to manage and organise workloads for recommended reading, the completion of essays and assignments and examination revision; and
  • be able to participate in team work through involvement in syndicate groups and group discussions.
Assessment:

A site project, equivalent to 2500 words 25% (due during the on-site teaching period); a written essay, equivalent to 5000 words 50% (due one month after on-site teaching); and a take home examination of 2500 words 25% (due two months after on-site teaching). Students are required to attend a minimum of 80% of classes in order to qualify to have their written work assessed. Any student who fails to meet this hurdle without valid reason will not be eligible to pass the subject. All required written work must be submitted in order to pass the subject. Essays submitted after the due date without an extension will be penalised 2% per day. Essays submitted after two weeks of the assessment due date without a formally approved application for special consideration or an extension will only be marked on a pass/fail basis if accepted.

Prescribed Texts:

A subject reader will be available.

Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:

Students who successfully complete this subject will be able to:

  • research through the competent use of the library and other information sources, and be able to define areas of inquiry and methods of research in the preparation of essays;
  • conceptualise theoretical problems, form judgements and arguments and communicate critically, creatively and theoretically through essay writing, tutorial discussion and presentations;
  • communicate knowledge intelligibly and economically through essay writing and tutorial discussion;
  • manage and organise workloads for recommended reading, the completion of essays and assignments and examination revision; and
  • participate in team work through involvement in syndicate groups and group discussions.
Notes:

Special entry conditions apply for this subject and all students are required to consult the School of Culture and Communication prior to lodgement of an application.

Students who have completed 107-306/AHIS30003 Art Abroad; 107-466 Contemporary Culture: Art in New York; 107-467 Renaissance and Baroque Rome 1450-1750; are not eligible to enrol in this subject.

There is a quota on this subject. Details of where and how to obtain the itinerary and travel arrangements are available from the lecturer in charge. Prospective students must register with the lecturer in charge and receive written approval of enrolment. To enrol in this subject students must submit a Subject Variation form along with written authorisation from the School of Culture and Communication and proof of tour organiser approval to the Faculty of Arts Student Centre. It is not possible to enrol in this subject on-line.

Strict enrolment deadlines apply to subjects taught during the Winter Semester. The subject dates and HECS/course fee dates for this subject change each year. Check your enrolment record for the correct census date for this subject.

Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: 100 Point Master of Art Curatorship
100 Point Master of Arts and Cultural Management
150 Point Master of Arts and Cultural Management
200 Point Master of Arts and Cultural Management
Art History
Graduate Certificate in Arts (Advanced) - Art History
Graduate Diploma in Arts (Advanced) - Art History
PC-ARTS Art History
PD-ARTS Art History

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