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Unit outline_

ARHT3680: A Material World: Cultures of Design

Semester 2, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

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 Art History
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
The census date for this unit availability is 2 September 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Participation Participation
See canvas for detailed instructions
10% Ongoing Continuous
Outcomes assessed: LO5
Presentation Critical Reflection
Critical pitch and reflection for research project and object analysis
15% Ongoing 750
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2
Assignment Research Essay
Research Essay
45% Week 09
Due date: 24 Sep 2024 at 23:59
2500
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO4
Presentation Object Analysis
Presentation: Close study of an object of your choosing
30% Week 13 1250
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2

Assessment summary

Students will work on a single research project across the unit, delivering distinct aspects of their project for individual assessment. Students are able to determine their own research interests with the support of teaching staff across the weeks, with workshops regularly built in to classes to help students grow as researchers. 

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:

A standard penalty of 5% per day for late work applied. Special Consideration is available for all assessments in this unit. Simple extensions are available for the research essay only, as the presentations are scheduled at particular times.

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 to the World of Material Culture Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 02 Theories and Approaches Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Understanding Material as Culture Tutorial (1 hr) LO2 LO3
Week 03 Material Culture in Practice: Case-studies and assessment workshop Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4
Subjects, Objects and Things: Practicing Analysis Tutorial (1 hr) LO2 LO3 LO5
Week 04 Cabinets of Curiosity: Materials/Things in Early Modern Europe Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO3
Material, Objects and the Global Early Modern Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 05 Cultures of Dressing: From Royal Courts to the Factory Floor Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Textiles and Questions of Whiteness: Racial Politics and Material Culture Tutorial (1 hr) LO3 LO5
Week 06 The Materials of Modernism Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2
The Eames Chair as Modern Tutorial (1 hr) LO3 LO5
Week 07 Assessment workshop Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5
Assessment workshop Workshop (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5
Week 08 House and Home: Subject, Object, Art Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Interiors, Design, Representation Tutorial (1 hr) LO2 LO3
Week 09 Writing Material Culture Workshop (2 hr) LO4 LO5
Writing Material Culture Workshop (1 hr) LO4 LO5
Week 10 Museum Objects: Curating Design Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2
The Museum and Displaying Design Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 11 Guest Lecture: Indigenous Material Culture and Workshop Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2
From La Perouse to Buckingham Palace: Royal Booties Tutorial (1 hr) LO2 LO3
Week 12 Material Culture in a Digital World Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Navigating Digital Worlds Tutorial (1 hr) LO2 LO5
Our Cabinet of Curiosity: Collective Collecting Presentation (2 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 13 The Curiosity Cabinet Presentation (1 hr) 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 unit allows student to pursue a single research project across all assessments, with distinct outputs, based on student feedback that indicates an interest in deep, self-directed research

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

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.