• Offered by School of Medicine and Psychology
  • ANU College ANU Joint Colleges of Science
  • Course subject Medical Science
  • Areas of interest Health Medicine and the Body, Visual Arts, Biology, Health
  • Academic career UGRD
  • Course convener
    • AsPr Alexandra Webb
    • AsPr Krisztina Valter-Kocsi
    • Elisa Crossing
  • Mode of delivery In Person
  • Offered in Winter Session 2024
    See Future Offerings

The aim of this course is to provide an introduction to anatomy through visual arts, using an integrated approach. Students will have an opportunity to gain knowledge and visual comprehension of the structures that compose the human body and develop communication skills relevant to both disciplines. The structure and function of the body will be explored and put in context using a variety of two-dimensional and three-dimensional materials and processes including live and anatomical models. The course will be co-taught by academics in the College of Arts and Social Sciences and The College of Health and Medicine. Sessions are delivered at the School of Medicine and Psychology anatomy facility and the School of Art and Design, Foundation Studies studios. A peer mentoring process will be established between science students with a background in anatomy and visual art students. Applying a blended learning model this course will take advantage of the University's online learning environment.

Learning Outcomes

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

  1. Describe the structures of the human body, and their relationships and functions, using appropriate anatomical terminology.
  2. Demonstrate original exploration of visual arts materials and process in the context of anatomical studies.
  3. Apply visual arts processes to communicate understanding of anatomy to a range of audiences.
  4. Evaluate and reflect upon knowledge and skills gained using relevant terminologies and techniques.
  5. Collaborate effectively to solve problems and achieve common goals.

Other Information

This course will be held in a Winter Session. Due to limited places (26) students must register their interest online using the expression of interest form. Please include a short paragraph of why you want to take this course and what you expect from undertaking it.

Selection will be based on merit and statement in EOI. Assessed by GPA rank and assessment of supporting statement from candidate.

Registrations will open 1 February and close 24 April 2024. Students will be notified of the outcome by early May 2024.


Due to the nature of human anatomy and the requirement for students to work with human cadaveric specimens, the staff ensure that students understand the expectation for ethical and respectful behaviour. Staff are aware of possible emotional effects of working with cadaver specimens and are ready to support students as needed. Students will also be advised of the expectations of ethical practice and principles of academic integrity relating to all assessment items and will be required to work and show evidence of their effective work in inclusive and collaborative groups when necessary.

Indicative Assessment

  1. Portfolio of works - week1: MSK (20) [LO 1,2,3,4]
  2. Portfolio of works - week2: viscera & neuroscience (20) [LO 1,2,3,4]
  3. Portfolio of works, visual diary & reflective account (20) [LO 1,2,3,4]
  4. Independent Course Project (30) [LO 3,4,5]
  5. Active participation in course activities, collaboration, and exhibition curation. (10) [LO 5]

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

This course runs intensively for 3 weeks during the winter session. The expected workload will consist of approximately 130 hours including:

  • Face-to face component which may consist of
  • Day 1: Induction and NGA Visit
  • Days 2-9: At least 6 hours scheduled teaching (3 hours studio/laboratory-based teaching and workshop; 3 hours independent studio work) per day, conducted in the School of Medicine and Psychology Anatomy facility and the School of Art and Design
  • Days 10-13: At least 6 hours per day independent studio work
  • Days 14-16: At least 6 hours per day independent studio work and exhibition set-up, mounting and pack-up
  • Approximately 25 hours of self-directed study which will include preparation for scheduled teaching and workshops, presentations, group work reports and other assessment tasks.

Students are expected to actively participate and contribute towards discussions.

Inherent Requirements

In this course, students learn how to represent anatomical features using visual arts, which requires students to:

·     Make and interpret visual observations.

Students who cannot meet this requirement will not be able to complete compulsory assessment tasks and therefore will not be able to complete the course.

Students also typically participate in a visual arts studio, which includes working with nude models and anatomy laboratories, in which they observe human cadavers and body parts. This requires students to be able to:

·     Safely attend anatomy laboratories and use visual arts materials.

·     Precisely manipulate visual arts equipment

·     Stand and lean over benches to make observations.

Students who cannot meet these requirements may be able to negotiate alternative participation and assessment requirements with the course convenor. Please see the anatomy arts studio information page and the anatomy laboratory information page for more information.

Requisite and Incompatibility

You are not able to enrol in this course if you have completed BIOL2222.

You will need to contact the School of Medicine and Psychology to request a permission code to enrol in this course.

Prescribed Texts

Nil

Preliminary Reading

Classic Human Anatomy: The Artist's Guide to Form, Function, and Movement. Valerie L. Winslow. Watson-Guptill (December 23, 2008)

Assumed Knowledge

Students should have an interest in human anatomy and art.

Fees

Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.  

Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you 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). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees

Student Contribution Band:
12
Unit value:
6 units

If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found 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
Domestic fee paying students
Year Fee
2024 $3780
International fee paying students
Year Fee
2024 $5280
Note: Please note that fee information is for current year only.

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.

The list of offerings for future years is indicative only.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.

Winter Session

Class number Class start date Last day to enrol Census date Class end date Mode Of Delivery Class Summary
6439 01 Jul 2024 19 Jul 2024 19 Jul 2024 30 Sep 2024 In Person N/A

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