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Unit outline_

ARHT3680: A Material World: Cultures of Design

Semester 2, 2022 [Normal day] - Remote

Design shapes how we live in the world. From dressing our bodies, to inhabiting carefully composed interiors, and encountering innovative objects, the limits of our understanding are frequently materially determined. In this unit, students will engage with design histories - both past and present - to understand how design forms our experience of the world. Close studies will be made of key objects, designers, and materials, building a fluency with design from a variety of cultures and movements. The unit will be delivered through object-based learning, providing students with an opportunity to connect with professional and real-world contexts as they explore design cultures.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Art History
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
12 credit points at 2000 level in the Art History major
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
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Object Analysis
Presentation of research on chosen object. Weeks 12 + 13
30% Multiple weeks 1500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO4
Presentation hurdle task Critical Review
Peer to peer critical review of project
20% Week 08 1000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO4 LO5
Assignment Catalogue Essay
Research essay/Catalogue entry
40% Week 09
Due date: 04 Oct 2022 at 23:59
2000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO4
Participation Participation in class discussion
Analysis of set reading and objects set for discussion.
10% Weekly Weekly
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
hurdle task = hurdle task ?

Assessment summary

Full details available on CANVAS

Assessment criteria

Full details of assessment criteria, special con. + simple extensions and late penalties are available on CANVAS

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:

5% per late late penalty applies for all assessments

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 A Material World Seminar (2 hr)  
What is Material Culture? Lecture (1 hr) LO1
Week 02 Approaches to A Material World Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Identity, Person-hood and Materiel Culture Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 03 We are what we own?: Self and Object Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Material Culture + Indigenous Cultures in Australia Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 04 Guest Presenter: Material and Practice in Indigenous Cultures Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Materiality in the Early Modern World Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 05 Cabinets of Curiosity: Things + Collecting in Early Modern Europe Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Machines and Materials in an Industrialised World Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 06 The Style of Things: Can an object be "Victorian'? Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Curating Things: Museums as Material Worlds Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 07 Field Trip: Museums and Material Culture Field trip (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Workshop: Student research + projects Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5
Week 08 Workshop: Critical review of student projects Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5
Plastic Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 09 A World in Plastic Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Craftivism Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 10 Objects of Craft: Process and Meaning Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
The Digital as Material Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 11 Digital Materiality: "Things" in a digital world Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Working with Material Objects Workshop (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 12 Collecting Objects: The Object Analysis Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Collecting Objects: The Object Analysis Workshop (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 13 Collecting Objects: The Object Analysis Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Collecting Objects: The Object Analysis Workshop (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5

Attendance and class requirements

As per the Resolutions of the Faculty: Students are required to attend 90% of timetabled classes …

https://www.sydney.edu.au/handbooks/arts_PG/rules/faculty_resolutions.shtml

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 will be available in the ‘Modules’ section, under the ‘Weekly Materials’ headings on CANVAS

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 a critical command of the core body of knowledge concerning material culture and design studies
  • LO2. Analyse and reflect critically upon relevant scholarship and communicate this to others.
  • LO3. Undertake a close critical reading of a variety of design objects in alignment with current sector practices.
  • LO4. Effectively communicate research-based thinking in written work or oral presentations, for different audiences.
  • LO5. Demonstrate independence and initiative; integrity and maturity; the capacity to evaluate the work of others, including peers; and a considerable degree of autonomy to manage group and individual projects.

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 time this unit has been taught

Site visit guidelines

Please make the unit of study coordinator aware of any requirements for site visits at the beginning of semester via email

Disclaimer

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