Skip to main content
Unit outline_

ARHT2680: Why Art Matters

Semester 2, 2023 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

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

Academic unit Art History
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
12 credit points at 1000 level in Art History
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Mark Ledbury, mark.ledbury@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Mark Ledbury, mark.ledbury@sydney.edu.au
Imogen King, imogen.king@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Reflective Journal
A reflective journal outlining student learning processes and achievements
30% Formal exam period
Due date: 13 Nov 2023 at 23:59
2000wd equivalent
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Presentation Presentation and Research report
Students present one object and write a research report on the same object
40% Week 12
Due date: 27 Oct 2023 at 23:59
1500wd/10 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO5 LO4 LO3
Assignment group assignment Group presentation Week 13
An Oral presentation presented live and assessed live.(2500wd equiv. total)
30% Week 13
Due date: 03 Nov 2023 at 23:59
20min presentation/1000wd per student
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

  • Object Presentation and write up. 10 minutes prepared object presentation, with  Research Report of 1000-1500 words. You’ll be given a list of objects from which to select one, prepare and research it, and present it orally to your seminar group in weeks 4-12. The Research Report can develop ideas from your presentation and feedback and should be 1000-1200 words. the Presentation counts as 500-750  words equivalent.  The Oral Presentation and write up are counted as two assessments and the write up must be submitted via turnitin.
  • Group presentation. In Week 13, Groups of 4 students will present a 20 minute presentation to a plenary session – and answer questions for 10 minutes. Groups will start to prepare this presentation in week 7, and each student will contribute c750 words equivalent to the presentation. All members of the group receive the same mark for the presentation. Guidelines and criteria will be on the Canvas site and there will be a chance for rehearsal/questions built in to the course timetable.  Presentation scripts and Powerpoints to be submitted as PDF via turnitin.
  • Reflective Journal each student keeps a reflective journal assessing and analyzing their learning and their encounters with objects , as well as their research and their preparations for the final presentation. (2000 word equivalent, text/images/sketches – to be submitted as a pdf document through Turnitin) Guidelines and examples of reflective journals will be on the Canvas site.

Assessment criteria

 

HD

Result name

High distinction

Mark Range

85 - 100

Description

 

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

DI

Distinction

75 - 84

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

CR

Credit

65 - 74

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

PS

Pass

50 - 64

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

FA

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

AF

Absent fail

0 - 49

When you haven’t completed all assessment tasks or met the attendance requirements.

CN

Cancelled

No mark

When your enrolment has been cancelled.

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.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

(1) It is expected that, unless an application for a simple extension or special consideration has been approved, students will submit all assessment for a unit of study on the due date specified. If assessment is completed or submitted within a period of extension, no academic penalty will be applied to that piece of assessment. (2) If an extension is either not sought, not granted or is granted but work is submitted after the extended due date, the late submission of assessment will result in an academic penalty as outlined in section 7A of the Assessment Procedures 2011.This document is available at https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwiOvvO5gK_xAhWX7XMBHeA5BPsQFjAAegQIBhAD&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sydney.edu.au%2Fpolicies%2Fshowdoc.aspx%3Frecnum%3DPDOC2012%2F267%26RendNum%3D0&usg=AOvVaw0YF_FjnjvtHwXmwG3DHL12 If a student misses their presentation slot for individual presentations, without special consideration or other reason, and does not make arrangements for a reschedule, they will receive a zero grade for that presentation, but may submit a write up. Any individual not present for the group presentation or found not to have been a consistent contributor to the group work will receive a zero mark for the group presentation- see the specific guidelines in the Canvas documentation.

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.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Why does Art Matter? and what's this course about? This is a plenary (i.e, whole group) introduction to the course, its questions, and its methods as well as practical information about how it will happen. You will meet your two convenors and leaders, Mark Ledbury and Imogen King and learn more about the Chau Chak Wing Museum, our home for the entire course. You will also meet Jane / Eve and members of the CCW curatorial team Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO6
Week 02 You will watch a recorded lecture and come to this plenary seminar with key questions in mind. How has art made a difference to social, cultural and environmental concerns? In this seminar we explore art's impact or possible impact and debate its place in larger societal movements and cultural life. Before this class students should watch the online lecture material. Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO6
Week 03 The Matter of Art: What is the relationship between the Matter of Art and Art Mattering? In other words how can we account for the material, formal qualities of art , its 'substance' and tie this to the significance and role of art within a society/culture/environment. This plenary seminar requires students to have watched the online lecture content and video material (2) Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO6
Week 04 Object Based Seminar 1- you will be in the CCW museum seminar rooms or galleries for these sessions. The first session will be an introduction to how we'll conduct the sessions, the expectations on students, and examples of how we will work with the objects. Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 05 Object Based Seminar 2- you will be in the CCW museum seminar rooms for these sessions - and you MUST look at the object lists on canvas ahead of the session. Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 06 Object Based Seminar 3- you will be in the CCW museum seminar rooms or galleries for these sessions - consult the canvas site for details Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 07 Object Based Seminar 4- you will be in the CCW museum seminar rooms or galleries for these sessions - consult the canvas site for details Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 08 Object Based Seminar 5- you will be in the CCW museum seminar rooms or galleries for these sessions - consult the canvas site for details Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 09 Object Based Seminar 6- you will be in the CCW museum seminar rooms or galleries for these sessions - consult the canvas site for details Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 10 Object Based Seminar 7- you will be in the CCW museum seminar rooms or galleries for these sessions - consult the canvas site for details Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 11 Object Based Seminar 8- you will be in the CCW museum seminar rooms or galleries for these sessions - consult the canvas site for details Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 12 Object Based Seminar 9- you will be in the CCW museum seminar rooms or galleries for these sessions - consult the canvas site for details Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 13 Presentations- given in front of plenary sessions- these will take place on Thursday/Friday of Week 13 at times/schedules to be arranged on Canvas Presentation (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6

Attendance and class requirements

We very strongly recommend that all students attend all classes given the student-led, object-based nature of this course

While we will record object-based sessions, the nature of the space and activities mean that the recordings will not reflect the learning experience in class.

All students must attend one of the week 13 presentation sessions and must present with their group in one of these sessions. (see Canvas for more details)

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

Material to prepare sessions and the general reading list for the unit will be on the Unit Canvas site

Required VIEWING and RESEARCH replaces required reading for the 9 seminars.

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. 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

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.

After feedback from the first year of running the unit Further reading has been added to the canvas site The individual presentation/write up assessment will have clearer instructions for creation and submission Further instructions/models will be added to Canvas for assessments All students will be taught by both teachers

Site visit guidelines

For guidelines on how to work with objects in the CCW study rooms, see the Canvas site.

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.