Bachelor of Visual Arts - BVA, and Bachelor of Visual Arts (Honours) - BVA(Hons) Caulfield


General information

Course code: 2479 · Caulfield campus · Internal mode · Full-time: three years, plus one year for honours · Course coordinator (Caulfield): Glyn deWilliams
The Bachelor of Visual Arts is a three-year, full-time degree program of broad education in the visual arts.
Graduates may practise professionally in one or more art media, or may become involved in art gallery activities, cultural programs, art education, or a range of art and design industry activities.
The visual arts are concerned with the range of activities of the fine arts, applied arts and design, as well as the newer areas such as photomedia and digital media, in addition to the theoretical and cultural aspects of art and design.
The course comprises a choice of major disciplines in art, together with complementary studies, and a choice of elective subjects which, taken together, enable students to form individual study programs.
In addition to the pass degree, there is an honours degree (fourth year) for the BVA at Caulfield. Students may extend studies in their chosen major discipline and undertake studies in the research methods of the visual arts.

Structure of the course

Pass degree

The degree structure is given depth by a sequence of subjects which form a major study taken over three years. It is given breadth by complementary and other subjects in studio and theory from which individual study programs can be formed.

First-year study program

The first year of the course has a common structure for all students which provides a sound introduction to both theory and practice in the context of the visual arts, and assists the student to make an informed choice of a major study. Elective subjects are chosen after consultation with the studio coordinator. An example first semester is as follows:

Major study (2/3 year)

At least 48 credit points must be taken in the chosen major study at year-two and year-three levels. Added to the 12 points obtained in year one, this provides a core major of 60 credit points. Students select one of the following major studies:

Second/third year study program

In consultation with the course coordinator, students seek selection into one of the major disciplines, together with supporting subjects. The typical semester pattern consists of:

Complementary studies

Complementary studies provide a balance between theory and practice components; a minimum of 24 credit points of complementary studies must be taken.

Elective subjects

Subjects are selected by students in consultation with the course coordinator. They will generally be taken from those within the Faculty of Art and Design. However, subjects elsewhere in the university are also available.

Honours degree

An additional year of intensive study oriented to the student's chosen area of specialisation. The course includes research methods and seminar over both semesters. During semester one, students undertake research for the semester two honours project. An elective study is also included.

Length of course/workload required

Pass

Three years of full-time study, or six years part-time. The expected average number of hours per week for a full-time student is 48 (contact and non-contact), with appropriate adjustment for part-time study. An 80 per cent attendance record for studios, lectures, seminars etc is required before a student may present for assessment in any subject. Exceptions will be subject to the approval of the course coordinator.

Honours

One additional year of full-time study, or two years part-time. Workload as for the pass degree.

Admission requirements

Pass

The course is offered through the VTAC system by ENTER. Completion of VCE English units 3 and 4 with a study score of at lease 25 in English and a study score of at lease 30 in Art or Studio Art. No folio or interview is required (subject to number of places). For students without VCE or not eligible for a VCE score or mature-age students, consideration will be given to other qualifications assessed as equivalent to the VCE plus a folio.

Honours

Completion of the Bachelor of Visual Arts or an equivalent pass degree at a credit-level average or higher.

Credit provision

Pass

Credit may be granted for equivalent studies completed elsewhere at approved institutions. Advanced standing in the course for students who have completed part of similar courses at Australian or international universities will be considered up to a maximum of two years and in accordance with other regulations of Monash University. Each application for credit or advanced standing will be considered on its own merits.

Honours

No credit or advanced standing will be provided in this course.

Fee structure

For students with Australian residency, these courses fall within the lowest band of HECS liability. The fee for international students will be set by the vice-chancellor from time to time (currently $12,500 per annum).

Subject


Year 1


Year 2


Year 3


Total years 13

Year 4


Total years 14



Semester 1

Semester 2

Semester 1

Semester 2

Semester 1

Semester 2


Semester 1

Semester 2


Drawing and visual structures

C
o
r
e

Drawing 1B
6 cps

Drawing 2B
6 cps





12 cps



12 cps













Core theory of art and design

C o r e

History of pre-industrial art and design 6 cps

Visual culture and media of the industrial age 6 cps





12 cps

Research methods in art and design 6 cps

Research seminar in art and design 6 cps

24 cps












12 cps

Professional practice

C o r e





Professional practiceA 3 cps


3 cps



3 cps












s

Digital imaging

C o r e


Digital imaging1 3 cps





3 cps



3 cps













Major study

C o r e



Major 12 cps

Major 12 cps

Major 12 cps

Major 12 cps

48 cps

Project studies 12 cps

Major project 18 cps

78 cps













Core studio

C o r e

Visual arts studio1 6 cps

Visual arts studio2 6 cps





12 cps



12 cps













Electives


6 cps

3 cps

6 cps

6 cps

3 cps

6 cps

30 cps

6 cps


36 cps

Total


24 cps

24 cps

24 cps

24 cps

24 cps

24 cps

144 cps

24 cps

24 cps

192 cps


* Indicates an estimate of a student's elective choice, and is allocated on a proportional basis, not necessarily actual credit points in the year 3 and 4 subtotals.
cps: credit points - the total student workload per week including in and out of class work is normally obtained by doubling the credit points.

Course program

Subject

Credit points

Average taught
hours per week

Average out of class
hours per week

Total hours

Year 1






Semester 1

Visual arts studio 1

6 cps

4 hours

8 hours

12 hours


Drawing 1B

6 cps

6 hours

6 hours

12 hours


History of pre-industrial art and design

6 cps

3 hours

9 hours

12 hours


Electives: possibly Introduction to computing

6 cps

4 hours

8 hours

12 hours



24 cps

17 hours

31 hours

48 hours

Semester 2

Visual arts studio 2

6 cps

4 hours

8 hours

12 hours


Drawing 2B

6 cps

6 hours

6 hours

12 hours


Visual culture and media of the industrial age

6 cps

3 hours

9 hours

12 hours


Digital imaging 1

3 cps

3 hours

3 hours

6 hours


Electives:






Intro to digital

3 cps

2 hours

4 hours

6 hours


Imaging electives

24 cps

18 hours

30 hours

48 hours

Year 2






Semester 1

Major study core

12 cps

8 hours

16 hours

24 hours


Major study complementary

6 cps

3 hours

9 hours

12 hours


Electives: including possibly Drawing

6 cps

8 hours

4 hours

12 hours



24 cps

19 hours

29 hours

48 hours

Semester 2

Major study core

12 cps

4 hours

20 hours

24 hours


Major study complementary

6 cps

3 hours

9 hours

12 hours


Electives

6 cps

8 hours

4 hours

12 hours



24 cps

15 hours

33 hours

48 hours

Year 3






Semester 1

Major study core

12 cps

8 hours

16 hours

24 hours


Major study complementary

6 cps

3 hours

9 hours

12 hours


Professional practice A

3 cps

2 hours

4 hours

6 hours


Electives

3cps

4 hours

2 hours

6 hours



24 cps

17 hours

31 hours

48 hours

Semester 2

Major study core

12 cps

8 hours

16 hours

24 hours


Major study complementary

6 cps

3 hours

9 hours

12 hours


Electives

6 cps

4 hours

8 hours

12 hours



24 cps

15 hours

33 hours

48 hours

Total (over three years)


144 cps

(17 hours average perweek)

(30.8 hours average perweek)


Year 4






Semester 1

Research methods in art and design

6 cps

3 hours

9 hours

12 hours


Project studies

12 cps

4 hours

20 hours

24 hours


Electives

6 cps

3 hours

9 hours

12 hours



24 cps

10 hours

38 hours

48 hours

Semester 2

Research seminar in art and design

6 cps

3 hours

9 hours

12 hours


Major project

18 cps

1 hours

35 hours

36 hours



24 cps

4 hours

44 hours

48 hours

Total (over four years)


192 cps

(15 hours average perweek)

(33 hours average perweek)



Teaching hours quoted are based on student groups of 20. Where group size is less than 20, some consolidation of teaching will occur.