This course considers different methodological approaches to works of art, craft and design in order to illuminate their potential range of meanings. It is structured around seminar presentations and responses by staff, students and academic visitors, including artists, curators and writers, and involves visits to collections and displays at national institutions where different examples of research approaches are demonstrated and tested.

Students are required to choose an art, craft or design object as the focus of their study. This may be a work in any medium. The only requirement is that at some time in the recent past, students have seen their chosen object first-hand. Through discussion with the course convenor and their peers, students will develop a body of research in which the potential meanings of the chosen object are traced in terms of its origins, the collection in which it is housed, relevant current debates and contemporary critical frameworks. This research will include a contextualised account of the object's history and provenance, and an exploration of different modes of analysis and interpretation. Students should seek to extend our current understanding of the object through substantiated interpretation.

Students are encouraged to contact the course convenor to discuss their choice of object.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. analyse works of art, design and other forms of visual communication;
2. evaluate selected historical, cultural and theoretical contexts of works of art in relation to their study object;
3. identify and apply appropriate modes of analysis, evaluation and comparative critical frameworks; and
4. present reasoned, referenced, and structured arguments in both written and audio-visual forms.

Required Resources

Students will need access to an internet-connected computer in order to participate in this course’s online delivery. All required readings will be made available through Wattle.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• written comments
• verbal comments
• feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group, etc.

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Introductory lecture; introductory presentations (students introduce their 'objects'; reading group discussion of prescribed texts
2	Reading group discussion of prescribed texts; visual analysis exercise; lecture from visiting artist, art historian or curator; presentation from ANU Academic Skills & Learning Centre
3	Lecture from visiting artist, art historian or curator; 'how to write a research essay'; research question workshop; student appointments with lecturer; self-directed study
4	Visual analysis and writing exercise; reading group discussion of prescribed texts; student PowerPoint presentations	Seminar presentation (30%)
5	Student PowerPoint presentations	Seminar presentation (30%)

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Learning Outcomes
Participation	10 %	1-4
Seminar Presentation	30 %	1-4
Research Essay	60 %	1-4

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using 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. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Integrity . In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Assessment Task 1

Participation

Daily participation in the intensive course is essential to fulfilling the learning outcomes of this course. If you cannot attend all of the scheduled classes, please consider a different course. Participation includes reading the set texts, uploading an image of your chosen object with a short abstract before the course begins (by 5 pm on Monday 6 September), giving a 5 minute presentation on Day 1 of the class, and contributing to and participating in all course activities including small and large group discussions.

Value: 10%

Presentation requirements: Submit a good quality image of your chosen object and short explanatory text via upload to Wattle. Lecturer will collate all student images into a PowerPoint for the introductory presentations.

Assessment Task 2

Seminar Presentation

Students are required to present a PowerPoint discussion on their chosen object. This presentation will establish a context for the research towards the essay. Students should begin their presentation with a title slide that clearly articulates a research question and/or argument.

Presentations should include a description of the chosen object, the reasons for choosing it, and some of the methodologies and theoretical issues around which an analysis and interpretation of this object could be focused. The seminar provides an opportunity to establish the chief areas of interest in relation to the project, to speculate on the direction that the essay might take, and to receive feedback from staff and peers.

In the PowerPoint presentation, illustrations should be provided of the object concerned, and, wherever possible, details of its historical context and precedents, and its location within the collection which houses it. Anticipating the essay requirements, the paper should also include a bibliography of research discoveries and references. Students are expected to involve their colleagues in discussion and take questions at the end. The presentation notes, bibliography and PowerPoint are to be submitted within one week of the presentation.

Word limit: Approx. 2000 words

Value: 30%

Presentation requirements: The presentation should be 20 minutes long, with an additional 10 minutes of discussion. The presentation should comprise a PowerPoint file and your notes comprehensively written out plus details of images that you used, and a bibliography, including URLs of all websites used.

Assessment Task 3

Research Essay

The purpose of the essay is distinguished from that of the presentation by a more structured, extensive and detailed argument. Students will be expected to focus in depth on their chosen object. From the initial, broad-based research outlined in the Seminar Presentation, one or two central themes will have been identified to concentrate upon.

Students should explain how their research discoveries have directed their interpretation of the chosen object, develop ways of substantiating their speculative processes, and argue why their conclusions might differ from those of others. Essays should fulfil appropriate academic modes of presentation, incorporating a clear account of the subject of study, analysis of examples used, cross-referencing of speculative interpretation, and provide evidence that students have read current commentaries and debates on the topic, with appropriate references, substantiation and interpretation. Students should read widely within the prescribed literature for the course, and display initiative in reading outside the course bibliography in relation to the chosen topic.

Word limit: 4000 words, excluding footnotes and addenda.

Value: 60%

Presentation requirements: The essay must be written using 1.5 line spacing in a clear font, and must include a title (framing a research question), list of illustrations, bibliography (citing the sources of all quotations, paraphrases, and references to specific ideas and arguments), and a clear image of all visual material used for discussion. Visual material used in the essay should also be listed with full details (artist, date, media, dimensions, and provenance).

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically, committing to honest and responsible scholarly practice and upholding these values with respect and fairness.

The ANU commits to assisting all members of our community to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle and Academic Misconduct Rule, uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with.

The Academic Misconduct Rule is in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Very minor breaches of the academic integrity principle may result in a reduction of marks of up to 10% of the total marks available for the assessment. The ANU offers a number of online and in person services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. Visit the Academic Skills website for more information about academic integrity, your responsibilities and for assistance with your assignments, writing skills and study.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

• Late submission not permitted. If submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date is not permitted, a mark of 0 will be awarded.
• Late submission permitted. Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.

Returning Assignments

Assignments will be returned via Wattle

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Resubmission of Assignments

Resubmission of individual assignments is not available for this course

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Diversity and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students