Skip to main content
Unit outline_

ARHT6961: Curating Islamic Art in 10 Objects

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

This hands-on, object-based unit draws on a wide range of visual material from the diverse cultures of the Islamic world to examine the pivotal and evolving role of Islamic art in today's museums. Seminars will be held in Sydney-based collections, working closely with a variety of media from different time periods - historical and contemporary arts - in order to gain knowledge and skills in interpreting and curating Islamic art. We will engage with fundamental questions in the study of Islamic art, and the challenges involved in studying its global histories of collecting, displacing, and displaying.

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 Peyvand Firouzeh, peyvand.firouzeh@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 16 August 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment hurdle task Object Analysis
Writing object analysis for a public audience
50% Week 05
Due date: 30 Aug 2024 at 23:59
3000 words presentation & write-up
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3
Assignment hurdle task Exhibition pitch
Pitching an exhibition idea/proposal
50% Week 08
Due date: 20 Sep 2024 at 23:59
3000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
hurdle task = hurdle task ?

Assessment summary

  • Object Analysis: 15 minutes object presentation in a symposium with your cohort, with write- up of 1500 words. You’ll be given a list of objects from which to choose one, research it, put it in dialogue with an object of your choice, and present it orally to your class in week 5. Workshops in weeks 1 and 3 will provide you with information, skills, knowldge, and feedback for completing this assignment. Work on this assignment feeds into the final collaorative exhibition pitch assignment. Detailed information for the assessment can be found on Canvas. 
  • Exhibition Pitch: either individually or in groups you will write a proposal of 3000 words for an exhibition which will contain an overview of the exhibition, its goals, object list, rationale, as well as plans for public engagement. Feedback from the Visual Analysis symposium in week 5 and a workshop in week 6, will prepare you for this assignmeny. Detailed information for the assessment can be found on Canvas. 

Assessment criteria

Result code

Result name

Mark range

Description

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.

CN

Cancelled

No mark

When your enrolment has been cancelled.

DC

Discontinued not to count as failure

No mark

When you discontinue a unit after the relevant census date but before the DC deadline.

DF

Discontinue – fail

No mark

When you discontinue a unit after the DC deadline but before the DF deadline

FR

Failed requirements

No mark

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes to a satisfactory standard, for units which are marked as either Satisfied requirements or Failed requirements.

SR

Satisfied requirements

No mark

When you meet the learning outcomes to a satisfactory standard, for units which are marked as either Satisfied requirements or Failed requirements.

WD

Withdrawn

No mark

When you discontinue a unit before the relevant census date. WD grades do not appear on your academic transcript

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:

(1) It is expected that, unless an application for a simple extension or special consideration has been approved, students will submit all assessment for a unit of study on the due date specified. If assessment is completed or submitted within a period of extension, no academic penalty will be applied to that piece of assessment. (2) If an extension is either not sought, not granted or is granted but work is submitted after the extended due date, the late submission of assessment will result in an academic penalty as outlined in section 7A of the Assessment Procedures 2011.This document is available at https://www.sydney.edu.au/policies/showdoc.aspx?recnum=PDOC2012/267&RendNum=0 - If a student misses their presentation slot for individual presentations, without special consideration or other reason, and does not make arrangements for a reschedule, they will receive a zero grade for that presentation, but may submit a write up. Any individual not present for the group presentation or found not to have been a consistent contributor to the group work will receive a zero mark for the group work. See the specific guidelines on Canvas.

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: Exhibiting Islamic Art Today Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Contemporary Art as Activism Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Writing on Objects for a Public Audience Workshop (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 02 Arts of the Book and Calligraphy in the Islamic World Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Curating the Written Word: Visit to the Fisher Library Field trip (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Fragments and Colonialism Seminar (1 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 03 Portraits and the Question of Iconoclasm in Islamic Art (Art Gallery of New South Wales) Field trip (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Persian Painting: Between History and Contemporary Politics (Art Gallery of New South Wales) Field trip (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Visual Analysis Workshop at the Art Gallery of New South Wales Field trip (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 05 Symposium: Visual Analysis Presentations and Discussion Presentation (6 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 06 Beyond Vision: Engaging with Sensorial Approached in Islamic Art Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Sensorial Approaches to Curating Islamic Art Seminar (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
How to Pitch an Exhibition Workshop (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4

Attendance and class requirements

As this unit is run in intensive mode and includes field trips in collaboration with sector partners, students are advised that missing a class will present significant difficulties in progressing through this unit
to is successful completion.

The Faculty attendance policy gives that students must attend 90% of timetabled activities - in the case of this unit, attendance will be measured on an hour by hour basis, rather than class by class, as the unit is taught in block mode.

Recordings are not available in this unit as it is taught as workshops/fieldwork etc. As assessments require peer/group support, missing class will impact your class mates. All classes in this unit connect with assessment. As such, missing class with require
documentation and eligibility will be determined by the list of eligible/non-eligible circumstances listed here: https://www.sydney.edu.au/students/special-consideration/
eligibility-documents.html

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

Please see the “Reading List” on the Canvas site. 

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. Acquire knowledge of diverse cultures of the Islamic world, specific geographical areas, periods, genres and styles of art and visual culture.
  • LO2. Acquire relevant knowledge base for students who wish to pursue careers in the museum and galleries industries.
  • LO3. Develop verbal and written skills in interpreting and presenting debates about objects in the museum context.
  • LO4. Engage with global histories of collecting and exhibiting Islamic art in museums internationally and in Australia

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.

Based on student feedback, this unit of study has been redesigned to offer preparatory lectures before object seminars and field trips.

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.

Site visit guidelines

Site visit guidelines will be provided on Canvas.

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.