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Unit outline_

ARHT6914: Working with Art: Objects in Focus

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

This unit introduces students to fundamental skills and issues in the study of art through object-based interpretation. It considers complexities and challenges related to the analysis, interpretation and display of individual works of art in the context of museums and galleries, and provides an introduction to the materials and techniques of art production from curatorial, public engagement and conservation perspectives. Students are supported to develop the ability to work closely with the physical art object, as classes will frequently take place in art galleries across Sydney.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Art History
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
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
Tutor(s) Ksenia Radchenko, ksenia.radchenko@sydney.edu.au
India Urwin, india.urwin@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 2 September 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Participation Participation tasks
Defined tasks to complete at specific times - see CANVAS for further deatil
10% Multiple weeks N/A
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO5
Creative assessment / demonstration Art Talk
Floor talk on a single work of art
35% Multiple weeks 2500
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO3 LO2
Assignment Interpretation text
Short interpretative text based on sector best practice
45% Week 04
Due date: 25 Aug 2024 at 23:59
2750 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Skills-based evaluation group assignment Peer Review
Critical review of draft work
10% Week 11 750 words
Outcomes assessed: LO4 LO5
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Assessments are based on real-world musum work - interpeting works of art in text and speach in the space of the museum of varied audeinces.

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

Research work is of the highest standard, drawing connections across a range of high-quality and diverse sources to formulate quality independent thinking, communicated effectively for the intended audience/mode of delivery. Close analysis of art and ideas produced at the highest level.

Distinction

75 - 84

Research is of a high standard, though key material/types/areas may be missing. Independent thinking in evidence through connections across sources/source types, through with some missed opportunities. Effective communication for intended audience/mode. Close analysis of art and ideas regularly attempted, though could be extended.

Credit

65 - 74

Research is of a solid standard, but reliance may  be on less of a diversity of courses, or lesser in terms of quality than ideal. Independent thinking happens some of the time, but missed opportunities to connect ideas across thinking/sources is somewhat frequent. Close analysis of art and ideas present but needs to be extended regularly. Communication is effective for intended audience/mode of communication.

Pass

50 - 64

Research needs to be extended to include higher-quality materials and a greater diversity of types. Independent thinking is not regularly apparent across the work, and instead a summary of discreet sources is often presented. Close analysis needs further development. Communication is sound, but could be more tailored to intended audience/mode. 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard: research is largely based on non-scholarly or non-primary sources; summary is offered rather than independent thinking; description rather than analysis is offered most often; communication is sound but need to be tailored to audience group/genre of writing etc.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades

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:

Standard late penalties apply - 5% per day for any late work. Special Consideration is available for all assessments. Simple extensions are available for the 'Interpretation texts' assessment, but for no other as they are either reply on classmates or take place off campus

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 Working With Art: Classes, Assessments and Learning Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO3
Week 02 Learning from Art: Studying Objects Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Reading an Object: Communicating Ideas about Art Tutorial (1 hr) LO2
Week 03 Chau Chak Wing Study Session: Museum Visit Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Chau Chak Wing Visit: Teaching from Art Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 04 Working with ... an oil painting (case-study) Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Talking about ... an oil painting (case-study) Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 05 Working with Oil Paintings at the Art Gallery of New South Wales (museum visit) Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Talking about Oil Paintings at the Art Gallery of New South Wales (museum visit) Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 06 Assessment workshop: How do we talk about art? Workshop (2 hr) LO2 LO3
Week 07 Working with ... installation art (case study) Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Talking about ... installation art (case study) Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 08 Working with Installation Art at the Museum of Contemporary Art (museum visit) Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Talking about Installation Art at the Museum of Contemporary Art (museum visit) Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 09 Working with ... photography (case study) Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Talking about ... photography (case study) Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 10 Working with photography at the Art Gallery of New South Wales (museum visit) Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Talking about photography at the Art Gallery of New South Wales Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 11 Assessment workshop: Developing ideas, drafting, feedback Workshop (2 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 12 Developing research projects Independent study (1 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 13 Art in Practice: The Floor Talks Presentation (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5

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: Much content in this unit will not be recorded, as it is substantially taught through site-visits and field work. Also, as much of the unit will be delivered as student discussions, material in this unit may not will be suitable for recording. Recording on site visits may not be possible.
  • 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.

Required readings

All readings in this unit will be provided electronically. Futher information regarding the reading requirements for the unit are available on CANVAS, including detailed assessment descriptions and plans.

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 strong understanding of the key professional skills required by a curatorial role
  • LO2. Be able to discuss, examine and practice these skills with teachers, peers and industry professionals
  • LO3. Develop and manage your own research project, undertaking high-level research, shaped to produce material for specific audiences, in a format that meets the requirements of partner organisations
  • LO4. Engage in peer feedback and support to achieve strong outcomes
  • LO5. Demonstrate strong skills of written and oral communication skills and outputs, which connects with current best-practice in partner organisations

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.

Feedback has allowed us to focus the unit and as such, we have developed assessments that are based on current museum practices, in conjunction with museum partners.

Site visit guidelines

Site visit guidelines will be determined by the institutions we visit.

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.