Arts & Communities: Histories & Sites

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

340 hrs

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

This subject entails the comprehensive exploration of theoretical, historical and philosophical frameworks within which Arts and Community Practice is located. Classes will examine the subject's emphasis on the history, philosophy and contemporary contexts of arts and community practice; principles of community development; concepts of culture, identity, community and diversity; as well as investigating the role of the artist. The program of enquiry will also incorporate:

• concepts of art, engagement, culture and creativity, and the diversity of contexts for arts and community practice;
• concepts of community, such as communities of location, commitment and interest to emergent communities, such as those on-line or transnational communities; and
• relationships of community practice to histories of cultural development, art and social justice, and contemporary art.

This subject will explore the diversity of arts and community engagement practice across local, national and international contexts.

On completion of this subject, the student should be able to:

• display an ability for critical discourse
• confidently communicate verbal and written skills
• exhibit the skills to interpret, analyse and problem-solve
• demonstrate an understanding of community cultural development theoretical frameworks, philosophy, history and practice
• present a developed knowledge of the creative processes within community-based arts practice
• display an understanding of historical contexts of the practice including community development and contemporary art
• express cultural development theory and practice in an accessible form at community level, through both written and oral methods
• demonstrate leadership and mentor skills

• Online contribution (3 x 500 word annotated bibliography = 1500 words) and online discussion, mid-semester (25%)
• 20 minute oral presentation on topic related to subject theme: Histories and Sites, due at end of semester (25%)
• 5000 word written paper related to subject theme: Histories and Sites, due in assessment period at the end of semester (50%)

A course reader will be made available.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

On completion of this subject, the student should be able to:

• display an ability for intellectual discourse;
• confidently communicate verbal and written skills;
• exhibit the skills to interpret, analyse and problem-solve;
• demonstrate an understanding of community cultural development theoretical frameworks, philopsophy, history and practice;
• present a developed knowledge of the creative processes within community-based arts practice;
• express community cultural development theory and practice in an accessible form at community level, through both written and oral methods; and
• demonstrate leadership and mentor skills.