Understanding Masks

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2015:

This subject has a quota of 20 students.

4 hours x 10 days lecture/workshop sessions
Subject will be delivered as a Winter Term Intensive over 2 weeks

Total time commitment of 120 hours

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 course are articulated in the Course Overview, Objectives 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 course are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and the Disability Liaison Unit: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

What is a “mask”?

Students will endeavour to answer this question by exploring the history, cultural and performative function of mask in a wide variety of social contexts. This research will be supplemented with practical studio sessions in mask design and making, processes and materials. Students will then articulate this learning by designing and making a “mask” for a defined social or performative purpose.

Some materials will be provided as part of a materials levy ($50.00 per student) however students will also need to supply specific materials for the realisation of their individual designed mask in addition to this fee. Costs will vary depending on materials selected.

This subject has a July enrolment quota of 30.

Selection is based on the order in which students enrol in the subject.

This subject will challenge the students’ preconceptions of “masks” by exploring the social, cultural, religious or performative context and function of these artefacts and applying this theoretical and practical knowledge to the design and creation of their own mask.

Participation - continuous assessment, worth 10%

Written Research Assignment (1,000 words or equivalent), due midway through the teaching block, worth 20%

Design & Realisation Folio (2,000 words or equivalent), due 2 weeks after the conclusion of class, worth 50%

Presentation & Oral Defence (10 minutes), (1,000 words or equivalent), due in the last class, worth 20%

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

• Bachelor of Arts
• Bachelor of Biomedicine
• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Environments
• Bachelor of Music
• Bachelor of Science

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.

Students should be able to demonstrate awareness of the connection between the historical/cultural/religious or performative contexts of a mask and more broadly artefacts of any type. They should also be able to demonstrate this understanding through the design and realisation of their own mask including its presentation and oral defence of the design in relation to a defined context.