From the iconography of the Roman Empire to the coat of arms in a courtroom, from the Renaissance to the Internet, visual media have been integral to the expression and communication of legal ideas. Studying works of visual art allows us to get under the skin of our legal values and legal ideologies. And while artists have turned the spirit of justice and the power of the law into visual form, they have also been prominent critics of it. Injustice and suffering are given a vivid presence and an emotional weight through the visual arts, in ways that has often led the law to be fearful of its capacity to disturb and challenge us.
This course introduces students to a flourishing new area of interdisciplinary study. It offers an overview of key texts introducing theories and methods in law and visual studies. The course then explores a diverse range of topical case studies that examine law through art and art through law; including Justice, Power, Ideology, Colonialism, Environment, and War. Students undertake a journey from the Ghazi Stadium in Kabul, to the Supreme Court of Mexico, from nineteenth century Van Diemen’s Land to contemporary Australian masterworks. In the process we will learn to see both law and art through different eyes, transforming forever what and how they mean. It is offered at both 2000 level and 4000 level and is suitable both for students taking courses in the School of Art as part of their Arts degree, and in the College of Law as part of their Law degree.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
This course encourages students to develop skills in dealing with visual materials addressing law and justice, and with interdisciplinary scholarship in the broad area of law and visual studies. Students will be encouraged to develop oral and written communication, critical and creative thinking, independent thought, and to further their understanding of the relevance of art and aesthetics to how we think about law and justice. Students will also be encouraged to design and realize a research project that explores the representation of law and justice in art, whether in historical or contemporary perspective.By the conclusion of this course, students who have successfully completed all of the requirements will have the knowledge and skills to:
1. Explore and examine a rich variety of visual sources and secondary literature from a range of different disciplines and genres.
2. Examine, distinguish and appraise research and methods in the fields of art history, art theory, visual studies, legal theory, law, and justice, with specific reference to the case studies chosen during the course to illustrate these fields
3. Compare, contrast and critically reflect upon questions of law and justice as these are raised, explored, and depicted in both historical and contemporary visual materials
4. Conduct independent research into an aspect of law and visual studies, and present findings.
Indicative Assessment
Assessment is likely to include class participation and three short pieces of written work which build interdisciplinary, research and theoretical skills over the term, before undertaking a research essay of the appropriate length1. Three comprehension style questions over the term: 400 words each, value 10% eachRelates to learning outcomes 1, 2, 3
2. Final research essay: 2,500 words, value 60%Relates to learning outcomes 1—5, esp. 4, 5
3. Class particip’ion including class presentation, 10% relates to learning outcomes 1—4
In response to COVID-19: Please note that Semester 2 Class Summary information (available under the classes tab) is as up to date as possible. Changes to Class Summaries not captured by this publication will be available to enrolled students via Wattle.
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
two 3-hour seminars per week over the first six weeks + 6 hours preparation time per weekThe research essay is due at the end of the semester.Requisite and Incompatibility
Preliminary Reading
Desmond Manderson, Law and the Visual; Tim Bonyhady, The Colonial Earth
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:
- 3
- 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 |
|---|---|
| 2020 | $4110 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2020 | $5460 |
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.
Second Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9539 | 27 Jul 2020 | 03 Aug 2020 | 31 Aug 2020 | 30 Oct 2020 | Online or In Person | View |
