Useful links
Unit of study_
ARHT2680: Why Art Matters
2025 unit information
Why Art Matters explores the importance of art in the world, through object-based seminars, lectures and student led presentations. It asks why art is so fundamental to human experience, and how we might study it and articulate its importance. It builds key art historical skills of recognition, analysis, interpretation and expression, and introduces students to a wide variety of different material objects and artworks. The course is taught in small group streams, largely in the Chau Chak Wing museum and will help all majoring art history students build confidence and skill in researching, analysing and communicating about art.
Unit details and rules
Managing faculty or University school:
Arts and Social Sciences
| Study level | Undergraduate |
|---|---|
| Academic unit | Art History |
| Credit points | 6 |
|
Prerequisites:
?
|
12 credit points at 1000 level in Art History |
|---|---|
|
Corequisites:
?
|
None |
| Prohibitions:
?
|
None |
| Assumed knowledge:
?
|
None |
At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:
- LO1. Students encounter and engage a variety of global traditions of art and explore the critical debates that help relate different traditions within the broader history of art in the world
- LO2. Students engage with objects to hone skills of observation and analysis, extending and amplifying their critical practice.
- LO3. Students acquire knowledge of specific areas, periods, genres and styles of art and visual culture.
- LO4. Students extend their skills and abilities in presenting visual material through critical argument in extended written and oral presentations.
- LO5. Students assume responsibility for their own research methods and encounter the full spectrum of methods of research and scholarship
- LO6. Students engage with each other as peer supporters and learners through preparation, engagement and questioning
Unit availability
This section lists the session, attendance modes and locations the unit is available in. There is a unit outline for each of the unit availabilities, which gives you information about the unit including assessment details and a schedule of weekly activities.
The outline is published 2 weeks before the first day of teaching. You can look at previous outlines for a guide to the details of a unit.
| Session | MoA ? | Location | Outline ? |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Semester 2 2025
|
Normal day | Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney |
Outline unavailable
|
Find your current year census dates
Modes of attendance (MoA)
This refers to the Mode of attendance (MoA) for the unit as it appears when you’re selecting your units in Sydney Student. Find more information about modes of attendance on our website.
