This course considers different methodological approaches to works of art, craft and design in order to illuminate their potential range of meanings. It uses case studies of art works selected by students to explore modes of analysis and interpretation that prioritise artists’ practice-led research. The course is structured around seminar presentations and responses by staff, students and academic visitors, including artists, curators and writers. It also involves visits to collections and displays at national institutions where different examples of research approaches are tested.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Analyse works of art, design and other forms of visual communication.
- Evaluate selected historical, cultural and theoretical contexts of works of art in relation to their study object.
- Identify and apply appropriate modes of analysis, evaluation and comparative critical frameworks.
- Present reasoned, referenced, and structured arguments in both written and audio-visual forms.
Other Information
From case studies of both works of art, texts, and contexts these courses will seek to develop methods and modes of analysis appropriate to the priorities of the practice-led research - which forms the majority emphasis of a postgraduate student's work at the ANU School of Art. In conjunction with the practical and material emphasis of these priorities, Arguing Objects also enables students from outside the School of Art to focus on modes of analysis which prioritise the practical knowledge of the maker, and thus to investigate both the context of production and the context(s) of the work's reception in the world at large.In keeping with the objectives of the course, students are required to choose as their subject an art object housed in one of the institutions located in Canberra (eg, National Museum of Australia, National Library of Australia, National Gallery of Australia, Australian War Memorial, the ANU, or Canberra Museum and Gallery) as the focus of their study. For the purposes of this study, an "art object" may comprise a work of art or design in any medium.
Indicative Assessment
1. Participation: 10% [Learning Outcomes 1-4]
2. Seminar presentation and submission of powerpoint: 20% [Learning Outcomes 1-4]
3. Essay/research paper: 70% [Learning Outcomes 1-4]
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
130 hours of total student learning time made up from: a) 30 hours of contact: lectures and tutorials, delivered intensively over 5 days; and b) 100 hours of independent student research, reading and writing. Contact hours may include visits to major art institutions in Canberra.Specialisations
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
If you are a domestic graduate coursework or international student you will be required to pay tuition fees. Tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 1
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are an undergraduate student and have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). You can find your student contribution amount for each course at Fees. Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2017 | $2652 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2017 | $4080 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
Autumn Session
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5478 | 06 Mar 2017 | 17 Mar 2017 | 07 Apr 2017 | 19 May 2017 | In Person | N/A |
Spring Session
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9711 | 07 Aug 2017 | 18 Aug 2017 | 06 Oct 2017 | 20 Oct 2017 | In Person | N/A |
