Art and Revolution: 19th Century Europe

Subject 670-386 (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 is not offered in 2009.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: A 1-hour lecture and a 1.5-hour tutorial per week
Total Time Commitment: Total of 8.5 hours per week.
Prerequisites: Usually 12.5 points of first-year art history.
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

Contact

Anthony White

a.white@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview: This subject introduces students to the principal artists and art theorists in Europe from the beginnings of Romanticism early in the 19th century to Post-Impressionism at the end of the century. Students will be exposed to a range of different models for understanding the human figure and the countryside as subjects for painting, while tracing the progressive shift away from classical ideals of figurative painting and landscape painting in the radical innovations of Realism, Impressionism and Post-Impressionism. A particular focus of the subject will be the impact on art of political, social and technological change, such as the rise of the middle class, the development of new forms of transport, and the advent of leisure tourism. These will be analysed in the light of recent scholarship on the relationship between social class, sexual identity and the representation of landscape and the human body.
Objectives:
  • recognise and have an understanding of the work of the major landscape artists in 19th century Europe from Romanticism to Post-Impressionism;
  • appreciate contemporary critical debates concerning the role and meaning of landscape painting;
  • be able to explain the development of various styles and approaches to landscape painting in relation to the historical and social changes taking place in 19th century France;
  • be able to conduct independent research using catalogued sources and bibliographic indexes;
  • have developed their ability to think creatively and express their ideas clearly in written communication;
  • have developed their skills in verbal communication and oral presentation.
Assessment: A 1500 word class paper 40% (due during the semester), and a 2500 word essay 60% (due during the examination period).
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.
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Art History
Art History Major
European Studies

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