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Unit outline_

ARHT3633: Australian Art: Mainstream to Marginal

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

What are the current debates and issues driving Australian art, film and visual culture In interrogating present-day cultural perspectives, this unit examines, analyses and reinterprets the relationship between colonial and contemporary imagery through screenings, on-site gallery visits and the study of works held in university and other local art and film collections.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Art History
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
12 credit points at 2000 level in Art History or 12 credit points at 2000 level in Film Studies or 6 credit points at 2000 level in Art History and CASF1001 and CASF1002
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
ARHT2632
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Keith Broadfoot, keith.broadfoot@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 2 April 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Participation Participation
Participation in tutorial discussions and visual analysis exercises.
10% Ongoing Ongoing
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO5 LO3
Assignment Curatorial project
Engages with current exhibitions and selected works.
40% Week 08
Due date: 19 Apr 2024 at 23:59
2000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO4 LO5 LO1 LO2
Assignment Essay
The essay will draw on lecture and tutorial content.
50% Week 13
Due date: 24 May 2024 at 23:59
2500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO5 LO2 LO4

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

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

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

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 Introduction Lecture (1 hr) LO1
Week 02 Landscape, Fantasy and Nation Lecture (2 hr) LO1
Landscape, Fantasy and Nation Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Week 03 Australian art at the AGNSW Lecture (2 hr) LO1
Australian art at the AGNSW Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 04 Photography/Colonial Art Lecture (2 hr) LO1
Photography/Colonial Art Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 05 Digital Art and Culture Lecture (2 hr) LO1
Digital Art and Culture Seminar (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 06 Australian art at the AGNSW Part 2 Lecture (2 hr) LO1
Australian art at the AGNSW Part 2 Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 07 Modernism & Modernity Lecture (2 hr) LO1
Modernism & Modernity Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Week 08 After Abstraction Lecture (2 hr) LO1
After Abstraction Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Week 09 The Australian Gothic Lecture (2 hr) LO1
The Australian Gothic Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Week 10 The Politics of Enjoyment Lecture (2 hr) LO1
The Politics of Enjoyment Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Week 11 Alternative Avant-Gardes Lecture (2 hr) LO1
Alternative Avant-Gardes Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Week 12 Landscape Now Lecture (2 hr) LO1
Landscape Now Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Week 13 Student presentations and feedback – 2 Lecture (1 hr)  
Student presentations and feedback – 2 Seminar (2 hr)  

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.

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 a broad understanding of key issues in Australian art, film and visual culture. They will be introduced to art historical research methods through course content and through practical processes of research and inquiry. They will learn to critically analyse and evaluate contemporary artworks in a range of media. They will acquire new knowledge through independent research, with a focus on developing independent thinking, analysis and project management.
  • LO2. acquire the skills and confidence to communicate their knowledge of Australian art, film and visual culture in written and verbal form. They will engage in classroom experiences that allow them recognise and value communication as a tool for negotiating and creating new understanding, interacting with others, and furthering their own learning.
  • LO3. develop the ability to respond effectively to unfamiliar problems in unfamiliar contexts (for instance, on site in an art gallery, or evaluating films, videos and related art works in unconventional public spaces). They will gain experience in working effectively in teams and other collaborative contexts.
  • LO4. develop an understanding of how to use information effectively in a range of contexts. They will recognise pertinent information needs; use appropriate media, tools and methodologies to locate, access and use information; critically evaluate the sources, values, validity and currency of information; and use information in critical thinking.
  • LO5. engage critically with ‘real world’ social, cultural and ethical issues through on-site seminars and through assessment tasks, and apply local and international perspectives to extend their knowledge of Australian imagery.

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.

This is a new revised unit.

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.