The Art Theory major is primarily designed to meet the needs and interest of visual arts designers and makers by informing their practice with sustained critical inquiry into the social, cultural, ethical and historical context of contemporary art. Students develop the analytical skills necessary for viewing at images and objects with a critical eye, selective reading, and the ability to communicate effectively about works in different media, including their own, to specialist audiences using professional conventions. 1000-level courses are held at the National Gallery of Australia, providing students with a rich learning environment and direct access to works in the National Collection. Art Theory is located within the studio-based environment of the School of Art.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
Due to structural changes in the undergraduate program rules in 2012, the courses that make up the new 2012 majors may be different to the pre-2012 majors, and therefore some courses cannot be counted between majors. Students are advised to contact the CASS Student Office if they are unsure about their Majors.
Learning outcomes
Students who complete this major will have the skills and knowledge to:
- closely analyse the social, cultural, ethical and historical context of contemporary art.
- evaluate artistic ideas, concepts and process by thinking creatively, critically and reflectively.
- interpret, communicate and present ideas, problems and arguments about art in modes suited to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
- recognise and reflect on local and international perspectives to contemporary practice in the visual arts.
Relevant Degrees
Requirements
This major requires the completion of 48 units, which must include:
12 units from completion of the following course(s):
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ARTH1006 | Art and Design Histories: Form and Space | 6 |
| ARTH1007 | Art and Design Histories: Making and Meaning | 6 |
36 units from completion of the following course(s):
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ARTH2043 | Modernism and Postmodernism in Art and Design: 1850-2000 | 6 |
| ARTH2050 | Photography and Art | 6 |
| ARTH2052 | Art of the Modern Print | 6 |
| ARTH2055 | Fabric of Life: An Introduction To Textile History | 6 |
| ARTH2057 | Art and Politics of Collecting | 6 |
| ARTH2080 | Art and Visual Culture of the Long Eighteenth Century, 1660-1815 | 6 |
| ARTH2081 | Art of the European Courts, 1500-1815 | 12 |
| ARTH2082 | Art, War and Conflict | 6 |
| ARTH2097 | Victorian and Edwardian Art: Australia and Europe 1837-1914 | 6 |
| ARTH2098 | Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art | 6 |
| ARTH2102 | Art of Portraiture: History and Theory | 6 |
| ARTV2015 | Art and Politics | 6 |
| ARTV2016 | Cartographies: Art Exploration and Knowledge | 6 |
| ARTV2017 | Contemporary Australian Art | 6 |
| ARTV2018 | Cyberculture | 6 |
| ARTV2020 | Gender and Visual Culture | 6 |
| ARTV2024 | Memory | 6 |
| ARTV2029 | Representing the Self | 6 |
| ARTV2030 | Theories of the Object | 6 |
| ARTV2031 | Theories of the Image | 6 |
| ARTV2034 | Individual Research Unit | 6 |
| ARTV2035 | Issues in Contemporary Craft and Design | 6 |
| ARTV2050 | Renaissance and Baroque Art | 6 |
| ARTV2052 | Introducing Asian Modernisms | 6 |
| ARTV2053 | Contemporary Asian Art | 6 |
| ARTV2054 | Australian Art: The Modern Period | 6 |
| ARTV2055 | Costume, Fashion and Visual Culture | 6 |
| ARTV2056 | City Sites: studies in art and urbanity | 6 |