Art and Belief

Subject 107-244 (2008)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2008.Search for this in the current handbookSearch for this in the current handbook

Credit Points: 12.500
Level: Undergraduate
Dates & Locations:

This subject is not offered in 2008.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: A 1-hour lecture and a 1.5-hour tutorial per week.
Total Time Commitment: Not available
Prerequisites: Usually 12.5 pts of first year Art History or first year European Studies or first B. Theology studies.
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
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

Coordinator

Christopher Marshall & Felicity Harley
Subject Overview:

This subject explores the topic of how artists, patrons and viewers have attempted over time to provide powerful visual expression to often complex and ineffable ideas of religion, spirituality and belief. Close attention is paid to the extent to which the circumstances for viewer response to artworks of these kinds have changed according to altered patterns of belief, practice and cultural outlook in past and present contexts. Other issues to be examined include art and mysticism, art and ritual, the relationship of religious imagery to canonical and non-canonical texts and ideas, censorship and iconoclasm, and shifts in artistic attitudes to institutional and non institutional patterns of belief and spirituality. The subject will focus on the relationship of the visual arts to the three major Western traditions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam, while also making comparison to other forms of religion and spirituality, including Asian and Australian Indigenous cultural perspectives.

Assessment: Written work totalling 4000 words 100% due at the end of the semester.Assessment submitted late without an approved formal extension will be penalised at 2% per day. Students who fail to submit up to 2-weeks after the final due date without a formal extension and/or special consideration will receive a fail grade for the piece of assessment.
Prescribed Texts: Prescribed Texts:A subject reader will be available from the University Bookshop
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:

  • 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;

  • be able to conceptualise theoretical problems, form judgements and arguments and communicate critically, creatively and theoretically through essay, 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.

Related Course(s): Bachelor of Arts
Diploma in Arts (Art History)
Graduate Certificate in Arts (Art History)
Graduate Diploma in Arts (Art History)

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