VSA3021 Contemporary Art Theory 1

Contents

• Staffing
• Rationale
• Synopsis
• Objectives
• Topics
• Texts
• Reference materials
• Student workload
• Assessment details
• Graduate qualities and skills
• Important assessment information
• Assessment notes
• Production date
• PDF version

STAFFING

RATIONALE

This course introduces key research areas and debates in contemporary visual arts theory. It develops key issues in contemporary art theory which are developed further in Contemporary Art Theory 2

SYNOPSIS

The conceptual frameworks introduced by this course might lean on students thinking about practical work. Throughout the course students will learn and develop critical tools which will enable them to reflect upon and theorise research.

OBJECTIVES

On completion of this course students will be able to:

1.

identify a variety of key areas of interest currently used by researchers in the visual arts;

2.

describe and discuss major principles and methods used in visual theory;

3.

demonstrate written communication skills appropriate to the task of planning and submitting written research projects;

4.

demonstrate oral communication skills by presenting a seminar paper.

TOPICS

TEXT and MATERIALS required to be PURCHASED or accessed

ALL textbooks and materials are available for purchase from USQ BOOKSHOP (unless otherwise stated). Orders may be placed via secure internet, free fax 1800642453, phone 07 46312742 (within Australia), or mail. Overseas students should fax +61 7 46311743, or phone +61 7 46312742. For costs, further details, and internet ordering, use the 'Textbook Search' facility at http://bookshop.usq.edu.au click 'Semester', then enter your 'Course Code' (no spaces).

(Materials and equipment for studio work to be discussed with studio lecturers in light of the individual programme of each student.)

REFERENCE MATERIALS

Reference materials are materials that, if accessed by students, may improve their knowledge and understanding of the material in the course and enrich their learning experience.

Bois, YA & Krauss, R 1997, Formless: a user's guide, Zone Books, New York.

Crary, J 1992, Techniques of the observer: on vision and modernity in the 19th century, MIT Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Easthope, A & McGowan, K 1992, A critical and cultural theory reader, Allen & Unwin, Sydney.

Harrison, C, Wood, P & Gaiger, J 1991, Art in theory 1648-1815: an anthology of changing ideas, Blackwell Publishers, London.

Harrison, C, Wood, P & Gaiger, J 1998, Art in theory 1815-1900: an anthology of changing ideas, Blackwell Publishers, London.

Harrison, C & Wood, P 2002, Art in theory 1900-2000: an anthology of changing ideas, Blackwell Publishers, London.

Krauss, R 1986, The originality of the avant-garde and other modernist myths, MIT Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Lechte, J 2007, Fifty key contemporary thinkers, Routledge, London.

Mirzoeff, N 2007, The visual culture reader, Routledge, London.

Robinson, H 2001, Feminism-art-theory 1968-2000, Blackwell Publishers, London.

STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS

ASSESSMENT DETAILS

NOTES

1.

This assessment involves students doing a seminar presentation on an assigned topic. These will be conducted throughout the semester in tutorials. This will be reviewed by a panel and marked accordingly as part of progressive assessment. This assessment item is aligned with Objectives 2 and 3.

2.

This assessment item is aligned with Objective 2.

3.

Please note: All images should be in colour and all referencing needs to be done in the Oxford Referencing System. This assessment item aligned with Objectives 1 and 4.

GRADUATE QUALITIES AND SKILLS

Elements of the following USQ Graduate Skills are associated with the successful completion of this course.

IMPORTANT ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

1. Attendance requirements:
   It is the student's responsibility to attend and participate appropriately in all activities (such as lectures, tutorials, laboratories and practical work) scheduled for them, and to study all material provided to them or required to be accessed by them to maximise their chance of meeting the objectives of the course and to be informed of course-related activities and administration. For this course, normal class attendance consists of one 2 hour lecture and one 1 hour tutorial per week.
2. Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
   To successfully complete an individual assessment item, a student must achieve at least 50% of the marks or a grade of at least C-. This statement must be read in conjunction with Statement 4 below.
3. Penalties for late submission of required work:
   If students submit assignments after the due date without extenuating circumstances and without prior approval, then a penalty of a maximum of 5% of the assigned mark may apply for each working day late, up to a maximum of 10 working days, at which time a mark of zero can be recorded for that assignment.
4. Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
   To be assured of receiving a passing grade, a student must achieve at least 50% of the total weighted marks available for the course.
5. Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
   The final grades for students will be assigned on the basis of the aggregate of the weighted marks obtained for each of the summative assessment items in the course.
6. Examination information:
   There is no exam for this course.
7. Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
   Given the details under (6) above, there are no deferred exams for this course. However, if any deferred/makeup work is granted, it would have to be submitted by a date set by the examiner.
8. University Regulations:
   Students should read USQ Regulations 5.1 Definitions, 5.6 Assessment, and 5.10 Academic Misconduct for further information and to avoid actions which might contravene University Regulations. These regulations can be found at the URL http://www.usq.edu.au/corporateservices/calendar/part5.htm

ASSESSMENT NOTES

This version produced 17 May 2011.