Truth & Beauty: British Art 1840-1914

Subject 107-418 (2009)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2009. Search for this in the current handbook

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 4 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject is not offered in 2009.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: A 2-hour seminar per week
Total Time Commitment: Total of 10 hours per week.
Prerequisites: Admission to the postgraduate diploma or fourth-year honours in art history or the Master of Art Curatorship.
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
Subject Overview: The subject examines the production and critical reception of 19th and early 20th century British art and its underlying political and social concerns. Special attention is paid to the Pre-Raphaelite movement and its impact on avant garde art practice. The subject explores the significance of the Pre-Raphaelite movement across a range of genres and media: landscape, social realism, decorative art, sculpture, photography, and graphic art during the period 1840-1914. The role of women as producers of and as subjects within Pre-Raphaelite art will also be addressed. On completion of the subject students should have an understanding of the role of the Pre-Raphaelite movement in 19th and early 20th century British art; how contemporary events and issues were reflected in the art of the period; have developed skills in analysing art and design, based on literary and historical sources.
Objectives:
  • have an understanding of how contemporary events and issues were reflected in 19th and early 20th century British art and architecture;
  • have an understanding of the role of the Pre-Raphaelite Movement in the art of the period;
  • have developed skills in analysing art, architecture and design based on literary and historical sources.
Assessment: A 750 word written exercise 20% (due during the semester), a 1500 word class paper 35% (due during the semester) and a 2750 essay 45% (due in the examination period).
Prescribed Texts:
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 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;
  • be able to participate in team work through involvement in syndicate groups and group discussions.
Notes: Formerly available as 107-024 Victorian and Edwardian Art 1840-1914. Students who have completed 107-024 are not eligible to enrol in this subject.
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Art History
Art History
Art History

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