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Unit outline_

ARHT3679: First Nations Art

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

This unit explores the range and depth of First Nations Art globally with special attention to the Indigenous Art and visual culture of Australia and North America. It is designed to explore not only the material and formal features of First Nations' art but the social, cultural and spiritual traditions in which it is embedded and the understandings of time, space and country that inform First Nations art. It also explores the debates that have surrounded the notion and definition of "First Nations" art in recent years.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Art History
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
12 credit points at 2000 level in Art History, or (6 credit points at 2000 level in Art History and CASF1001 and CASF1002)
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) Gerald McMaster, gerald.mcmaster@sydney.edu.au
Mark Ledbury, mark.ledbury@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Exhibition /Gallery review
Students visit and analyze a First Nations Art exhibition/Gallery display
20% -
Due date: 01 Oct 2023 at 23:59

Closing date: 04 Nov 2023
1500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3
Assignment Research Essay
A Research Essay on topics associated with First Nations' Art
60% -
Due date: 12 Nov 2023 at 23:59

Closing date: 01 Dec 2023
3000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO4
Presentation Presentation and write-up
20% Multiple weeks 1500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO2

Assessment summary

Assessment for this course will involve an exhibition review and Research Essay. Class Attendance is required for all seminars,  but no specific mark will be given for attendance. Repeated absences from class will trigger attendance policies and may result in failure to pass the course.

Assessment criteria

HD

High distinction

85 - 100

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.

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:

Penalties are applied according to the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and School of Art, Communication and English Guidelines and policies

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 Welcome to the Course. This week introduces students to Professor McMaster, and the course content, the course outline, and the range of issues we will encounter over the 12 weeks Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 02 Conceptualizing Indigenous Art History Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Week 03 East -This week examines the art from the eastern zone of North America from pre-contact to late 19th century (with dialogue with guest speaker) Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 04 East-Woodlands 2 This week examines contemporary art from the late 20th and early 21st century. Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Week 05 South-Southwest 1: This week examines the art from the southern zone of North America from pre-contact to late 19th century. Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Week 06 Week 6: South/Southwest 2 : This week examines contemporary art from the late 20th and early 21st century. Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Week 07 Week 7: West – Northwest Coast I Examining work from the West/Northwest coast of North America Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Week 08 Week 8: West/Northwest 2: This week examines contemporary art from the late 20th and early 21st century Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Week 09 Week 9: North-Arctic 1 exploring work made by Indigenous communities in the North and Arctic regions Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Week 10 Week 10:North – Arctic II exploring contemporary art made in these regions Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Week 11 Week 11 Centre – Plains I This week examines the art of the central Plains and Prairies of North America (from southern Plains of Oklahoma to the northern Prairies of Canada), from pre-Contact until early 20th century. Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Week 12 Week 12 Centre – Plains II This week examines contemporary art from the late 20th and early 21st century. Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Week 13 Week 13: Global Indigeneity Seminar (13 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4

Attendance and class requirements

All students must attend all classes - 1x2 hour seminar class per week

 

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

Janet Catherine Berlo and Ruth B. Phillips, Native North American Art, 2nd edition (New York, New York Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2014).

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. Demonstrate critical knowledge of First Nations art and its global traditions.
  • LO2. Demonstrate appropriate skills of critical analysis and persuasive writing and speaking on works of First Nations art
  • LO3. Encounter art ‘in situ’ in sustained and regular ways, interacting with objects and sites of study directly through fieldwork, museum-based learning and exhibition experience.
  • LO4. Engage with confidence in current critical debates and discussions in the field of First Nations art and encounter a range of methods of art historical enquiry.

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 the first running of this unit, which is taught by a Visiting Professor of First Nations' Art

The Class will be taught by Professor Gerald McMaster, who will be the Terra Visiting Professor of First Nations' Art at the University of Sydney from July 2023-April 2024.

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.