Contemporary Australian Art: 1968 to Now

Subject 670-349 (2009)

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

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 3 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2009:

Semester 2, - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: A 1-hour lecture and a 1.5-hour seminar per week
Total Time Commitment: 2.5 contact hours/week , 6 additional hours/week. Total of 8.5 hours per week.
Prerequisites: Usually 12.5 points of first-year art history. Students seeking information on variations to normal prerequisites should contact the subject coordinator.
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

Assoc Prof Charles Green

Contact

Charles Green
email: c.green@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview: This subject examines contemporary artistic practice in Australia, from 1968 to the present. A broad variety of media will be considered, including painting, sculpture, installation, performance, photography, video and multimedia technologies. Artistic practices will be related to significant issues in the formation of Australian culture over the period: the relationship of regional and global cultures; the diversity of identities within contemporary culture; the impact of new technologies and ideologies on culture. Artists' responses to social debate on issues such as race relations, immigration, the environment, censorship, republicanism, gay and lesbian politics will be considered. In addition, changes in the infrastructure and institutions of the culture industry - galleries, museums, publishing and media - will be examined.
Objectives:
  • have an understanding of key issues in artistic and critical practice in Australian art, 1975-2000;
  • have the ability to locate specific artistic and critical practices within a social, historical and theoretical context;
  • have developed an understanding of the relevance of various models of cultural analysis to the understanding of specific instances of cultural practice;
  • have the ability to conduct independent research using catalogued sources and bibliographical indexes.
Assessment: Written work totalling 4000 words consisting of three assessment tasks: a research essay of 2000 words 40% (due during semester), and two take-home examinations, each equivalent to 1000 words and worth 30% (due mid-semester and during the examination period). Students must attend at least 75% of all classes. Note: 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 special consideration will receive a fail grade for the piece of assessment.
Prescribed Texts: A subject reader will be available.
Breadth Options:

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

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: Bachelor of Creative Arts students may credit this subject to a Media Arts and Visual Media major at second or third year. Formerly available as 107-046 Contemporary Australian Art and 107-046 Australian Art: 1968 to Now. Students who have completed 107-046 Contemporary Australian Art or Australian Art: 1968 to Now are not eligible to enrol in this subject.
Related Course(s): Bachelor of Creative Arts
Diploma in Creative Arts
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Art History
Art History Major

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