Contemporary Art

Subject AHIS20007 (2010)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2010.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 2 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2010:

Semester 2, Parkville - 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

On Campus

Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 2.5 A 1-hour lecture and a 1.5-hour tutorial per week
Total Time Commitment: 102
Prerequisites: Completion of at least 12.5 points of first-year Art History or one of the Faculty of Arts' Interdisciplinary Foundation (IDF) subjects
Corequisites: N/A
Recommended Background Knowledge: N/A
Non Allowed Subjects: 107-046 Contemporary Australian Art; 107-046 Contemporary Australian Art: 1968 to Now; 670-349 Contemporary Australian Art: 1968 to Now; 107-210 Art since 1990; 107-210 International Art after 1980; 107-210 Contemporary International Art; 670-367 Contemporary International Art
Core Participation Requirements: For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the 3Disability Liaison Unit website: 4http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Coordinator

Assoc Prof Charles Green

Contact

Charles Green
c.green@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview: This subject examines international contemporary artistic practice. Through case studies of specific artworks students will be introduced to the theories that informed, shaped or were employed by critics and curators in recent decades. A broad variety of media will be considered, including painting, sculpture, installation, performance, photography, video and multimedia technologies. Students may explore issues such as: the relationship of regional and global cultures, the diversity of identities within contemporary culture, the growing awareness of the art of minority groups, the impact of new technologies, media forms and ideologies on culture, and the impact of globalisation on networks of exhibitions, artists and curators. Artists' responses to social debate on issues such as race relations, immigration, the environment, censorship, republicanism, and gay and lesbian politics will be considered. In addition, changes in the infrastructure and institutions of the culture industry - galleries, museums, publishing and media - may be examined.
Objectives: Students who complete this subject will:
  • understand key issues in artistic and critical practice in contemporary art;
  • have the ability to locate specific artistic and critical practices with 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 practices;
  • have the ability to conduct independent research using catalogued sources and bibliographical indexes.
Assessment: Written work totaling 4000 words consisting of three assessment tasks: a research essay of 2000 words 40% (due during the semester), and two take-home examinations, each equivalent to 1000 words 30% each (due mid-semester and during the examination period). A minimum 75% attendance at tutorials is also expected as a hurdle requirement in order to pass the subject. All pieces of written work must be submitted for satisfactory completion of the subject. 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 special consideration and a formal extension 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: 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;
  • 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 107-210 Art since 1990, 107-210 International Art after 1980 and 107-210/670-367 Contemporary International Art. Students who have completed 107-210 or 670-367 are not eligible to enrol in this subject.
Related Course(s): Bachelor of Creative Arts
Diploma in Creative Arts
Graduate Diploma in Creative Arts
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Art History
Art History
Art History
Art History Major

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