Skip to main content
Unit outline_

ARHT1001: Style and Substance: Introducing Art History

Semester 1, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Taking a diverse, global view of art making from the Ancient to the Modern world, ARHT1001 will introduce students to key philosophical and methodological approaches in the field of Art History. As our experiences are increasingly mediated through a variety of visual platforms, this course will help students develop critical perspectives on visual communication. The development of professional skill sets will be a key focus. As such, the course serves as an essential introduction to Art History for those considering a career in the arts, education, or the museum and design sectors.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Art History
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Mark De Vitis, mark.devitis@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Mark De Vitis, mark.devitis@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 2 April 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Tutorial quiz Reading Student Writing
Assess student writing provided by former students #earlyfeedbacktask
5% Week 02
Due date: 03 Mar 2024 at 09:00

Closing date: 04 Mar 2024
1 hour
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO2
Short release assignment Writing Visual Analysis
Taken in tuts, this exercise will help secure a key skill - visual analysis
35% Week 07 1 hour
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO6 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Essay
Write about a work you can visit in the Art Gallery of New South Wales
60% Week 13
Due date: 26 May 2024 at 23:59
2500
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6 LO7

Early feedback task

This unit includes an early feedback task, designed to give you feedback prior to the census date for this unit. Details are provided in the Canvas site and your result will be recorded in your Marks page. It is important that you actively engage with this task so that the University can support you to be successful in this unit.

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a High distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a Distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Student is consistently working at the highest level expected standards. Demonstrates consistently high levels of critical and analytical thinking, and is consistently pursuing independent ideas regularly.

Distinction

75 - 84

High-level functions are in evidence much of the time. Able to adapt concepts, and produce analytical and critical thinking in a way which demonstrates independence much of the time.

Credit

65 - 74

Student has successfully reached the base standard of work. The work is largely, if not wholly accurate.

Higher level functions – analysis, critical thinking, and independent thinking, in evidence, though in need of consistency/development.

Pass

50 - 64

Student is not yet regularly working at the desired level. Further work is required to develop to a standard that is required.

Fail

0 - 49

Work of an satisfactory standard that does not demonstrate engagement with course learning, skills, or set-tasks.

 

.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Monday Lecture - Welcome + Orientation - What is Art History and What do Art History Students Need to Learn? Lecture (1 hr) LO1
Tuesday Lecture - Key Skills in Art History - How to undertake a close study of a work of art Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 02 Monday Lecture - Applying skills of Visual Analysis: Introducing the Art of Teotihuacan Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO7
Tuesday Lecture - Spectacle, Ceremony and the Role of Art at Teotihuacan Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Welcome to Art History: Art and its Impact Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 03 Monday Lecture - The Classical Style and the Canon of Art History Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Tuesday Lecture - Challenging the Canon: Style and its Legacy Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Tutorial - Key Skills in Art History: Analysing Student Writing Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 04 Monday Lecture: Making and Materials - Porcelain in China Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Tuesday Lecture: Making and Materials - Porcelain and its Global Context Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Analysing Art: Blue and White - Meaning and the Ming Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO7
Week 05 Monday Lecture - Meaning and Materials: Approaching Oil Paint Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Tuesday Lecture - Making and Meaning, Style and Subject - A Close-Reading of an Oil Painting Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Tutorial: Key Skills in Art History - Understanding Materials at the Chau Chak Wing Museum Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 06 Monday Lecture - Key Skills - Writing Art History Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Tuesday Lecture - Key Skills- Writing Art History Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Tutorial - Key Skills - Approaching the Assessment Task Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 07 Monday Lecture - Making Sense of Style - The Italian Renaissance Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Tuesday Lecture - Challenging Style - Mannerism as Death or Re-rebirth? Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Tutorials - Writing the Assessment Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6
Week 08 Monday Lecture - Preparing for the Art Gallery of NSW Workshops Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO4 LO6 LO7
Tuesday Lecture - Art Gallery of NSW workshops Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Tutorial - AGNSW workshops Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 09 Monday Lecture - Styling Skism Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Tuesday Lecture - Women Artists in South East Asia Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Tutorial - Assessment planning - Using Feedback to Plan Forwards Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6
Week 10 Monday Lecture - Women Artists at the AGNSW Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO7
Tuesday Lecture - The Women Problem Today Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO7
Tutorial - Art History Debates: Why Have there Been No Great Women Artists? (There Have Been!) Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 11 Monday Lecture - Art and the Museum Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Tuesday Lecture - How Museums Shape Art - With Art Gallery of NSW guest lecturer Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO7
Tutorial - Art History Debates: The Museum as a Way of Seeing (CCW Museum visit) Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO7
Week 12 Monday Lecture - Art of the Eighteenth Century Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Tuesday Lecture - Curating Indigenous Arts in the Museum Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO7
Art History Debates - Art History Debates: Appropriation and Indigenous Heritages Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 13 Monday Lecture - Art of the Eighteenth Century Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Tuesday Lecture - The Digital as a Way of Seeing Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Key Skills in Art History: Writing on Art Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6

Attendance and class requirements

  • Attendance: According to Faculty Board Resolutions, students in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences are expected to attend 90% of their classes. If you attend less than 50% of classes, regardless of the reasons, you may be referred to the Examiner’s Board. The Examiner’s Board will decide whether you should pass or fail the unit of study if your attendance falls below this threshold.

  • Lecture recording: Most lectures (in recording-equipped venues) will be recorded and may be made available to students on the LMS. However, you should not rely on lecture recording to substitute your classroom learning experience.

  • Preparation: Students should commit to spend approximately three hours’ preparation time (reading, studying, homework, essays, etc.) for every hour of scheduled instruction.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All required reading in this unit of study is available electronically through our CANVAS course site.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. develop an understanding of key practices and methods of the discipline of art history
  • LO2. develop skills of visual literacy - the ability to analyse a work of visual art
  • LO3. develop new skills of critical thinking, problem solving and information literacy
  • LO4. develop academic and professional writing and communication skills
  • LO5. learn about the traditions of a wide variety of cultural groups
  • LO6. build confidence and resilience working with others and on self-managed projects
  • LO7. engage with leading organisations beyond the university and learn about their professional practices.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Feedback from students has allowed for streamlining of assessment tasks.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.