Visual culture is a multidisciplinary field which incorporates film, television, visual arts, advertising, the built environment, and new digital and electronic forms of representation. Visual culture is associated with a critical shift in art history/visual arts in the late 1960s and the emergence of new disciplines such as film and TV studies within the universities. Visual culture breaks down the historical boundaries between high and popular culture and encourages a broad range of disciplinary approaches, including feminist, Marxist, psychoanalytic, structuralist, post-structuralist, postcolonial and post-humanist analysis. Visual culture also encompasses research in art history, and film and television studies. Research in art history involves aspects of art and architecture from the medieval to the post-modern, with specialised graduate programs in Australian art and museum studies: see also entries under 'Gallery and museum studies'. Film and television studies engage with film form, narrative structure, national cinemas and film institutions, as well as alternative documentary and Hollywood cinema, studied in relation to the psychological experience of screen media, history and ideology.
Supervision
is available for PhD and research masters candidates. For further information,
refer to the front of the Arts postgraduate section and
http://www.arts.monash.edu.au/visual_culture/resources/postgrad.html
Visual culture programs are suitable for mid-year commencement.
Course
code: 2846 * Course fees: Local students - HECS; international students -
$A13,000 * Coordinator: Leigh Astbury
This course is intended for students with a strong interest in research who
wish to give their study a clear Australian focus. The degree familiarises
students with the major theoretical areas in Australian art and with a
significant area of Australian art history through their research. The research
emphasis can cover areas of painting, sculpture, architecture, urbanism and
urban imagery, photography, performance and art in multimedia, film or
television. The degree normally involves one-and-a-half years of full-time
study or three years of part-time study.
Candidates for admission to the MA should normally hold a first class or second class division A honours degree, or a masters qualifying with an overall grade of H2A or above and a grade of distinction or above for the research component.
(i) A
thesis of 25,000 to 35,000 words (66 per cent) in an area agreed to
by the candidate and the department, and supervised by staff appointed by
agreement with both the candidate and the department. Candidates are expected
to consult their supervisor regularly and to maintain the momentum of their
thesis research.
(ii) Three fifth-year elective subjects worth 8 points each or two
fifth-year elective subjects worth 12 points each, from the schedule set out
below. It should be noted that students should not include subjects previously
taken in the masters qualifying year, the postgraduate diploma or the honours
year.
Note that the minimum pass grade for subjects in the Master of Arts is 60 C, that is, a grade of credit or above is required in every subject and for the thesis.
See ´Gallery and museum studies'
Program
code: 1988 * Program fees: Local students - HECS; international students -
$A13,000 * pa * Coordinator: Deane Williams
This program is intended to offer advanced studies in both 19th and
20th-century art and architecture and to provide students, should they choose,
with the opportunity for work in gallery and museum studies and in Australian
film history. It is addressed to students returning to study after either
professional work or a period away from the university who are intending to
pursue research in the visual arts or who wish to bring themselves up to date
with recent developments in the discipline and subject areas of the visual
arts, and who wish to develop a major research initiative in specialised areas.
Students undertaking the program will pursue study in the nature of the visual
arts and the disciplines and construction of art history and criticism. They
will undertake detailed elective study by coursework in an area of the visual
arts and pursue skills in research technique, writing and argument. The
research component will introduce these skills to students at a larger scale
and is intended to provide a bridge between their previous scale of essay work
and the requirements of a large research project at graduate level. The masters
qualifying program is one year's study full-time and two years' study part-time.
There
are three paths of entry into the masters qualifying with research component.
Candidates must have obtained one of the following:
(i) A Bachelor of Arts pass degree incorporating a major sequence in
visual arts or visual culture, or its equivalent to the approval of the head of
department, with credit gradings in subjects completed for this major sequence
at third-year level, if completed before or during 1996. If completed during
1997, the department will normally expect results of credit level or above at
third year. In addition, the department will consider special admission for
those who possess a bachelors degree in another discipline or who have
completed a single major outside of the visual arts or visual culture.
(ii) A degree in practical areas of art, architecture, photography or film
and video training that includes a significant sequence, normally three years
with at least credits in one or more of art, architectural, film or television
theory, art or architectural history and criticism, or in media studies with an
emphasis on theory training. Students holding these qualifications should have
significant experience in the scholarship and curating of art galleries or of
museums with a significant art or media involvement.
(iii) A degree in another discipline with credit grades in the third year
of a major sequence, coupled with significant experience in research,
criticism, history, curating or administration of the visual arts.
Note that students who have completed relevant subjects at fourth-year
level which have not been used to take out a degree or an award of any kind
with grades of credit or above in visual arts or visual culture or a cognate
discipline may apply for a maximum of 50 per cent credit at the time
of their application for entry into the program. Applications will be
considered by both the department and the faculty.
The program requires completion of components totalling 48 points. Subjects taken at fourth-year level as part of a postgraduate sequence in visual culture are normally weighted at 12 points each.
three coursework subjects totalling 36 points to be:
(a) at least one methodology subject chosen from the following:
(b) at least one subject chosen from the following:
One 12-point subject may be taken in a related discipline
other than visual arts or visual culture, with the approval of the heads of
departments of the related discipline and visual culture.
Students successfully completing the masters qualifying (at an average of at
least credit or second class honours division B) may apply to proceed
directly into the MA in Australian Art by coursework or the MA in Gallery and
Museum Studies by coursework. Successful completion of the masters qualifying
program with a research component is also a means of entry to the MA by
research, or to the PhD, and to either the MA in Australian Art by research or
the MA in Gallery and Museum Studies by research - if a student's consistent
grading for the masters qualifying is the equivalent of a distinction or a
second class honours degree, division A, including a grade of distinction
or above for the research component.
Course
code: 0017 * Course fees: Local students - HECS; international students -
$A13,000 * Coordinator: Leigh Astbury
The degree, which is entirely by coursework, is designed to offer advanced
studies in both 19th and 20th-century Australian art and architecture and is
addressed to students seeking an overview of Australian studies in the visual
arts.
There are four paths into the program. Candidates must have completed one of the following: (i) a BA(Hons) degree in visual arts/culture or a related discipline with an overall grade of second class honours division B or higher; (ii) masters qualifying by coursework in visual arts/culture or a related discipline with an overall grading at credit level or higher; (iii) the Postgraduate Diploma of Arts in visual arts with an overall grading at credit level or higher, and a statement listing relevant publications, if any, senior level community service in a visual arts area and other relevant qualifications; (iv) a bachelors degree in a relevant discipline with credit grades or higher in the third part of the major or in the last year of the degree, plus a minimum of three years of experience at a senior level directly relevant to the visual arts, to visual culture, or to an area of media production. Evidence for this must accompany a candidate's application for entry. In addition, candidates must supply (a) two references, commenting on the nature and extent of the experience; (b) a full CV; and (c) a statement of up to 1000 words on the applicant's career objectives and reasons for applying for entry
Students
normally develop a research initiative, undertaking a research essay to the
value of 12 points. The degree consists of one year of full-time study or two
years of part-time study. Students will complete four subjects totalling 48
credit points.
Students who have not completed a recognised honours degree or a research
project at postgraduate diploma or masters qualifying level are required to
take VAM5000 (Research essay in visual culture), plus three other subjects from
the Australian art subjects listed below. Students who have completed an
honours program may choose four subjects from the following list.
Program
code: 1987 * Program fees: Local students - HECS; international students -
$A13,000
This program, involving one year's study full time and two years part-time,
leads directly to the masters by coursework options available in visual arts.
Students completing this program at a credit average or higher may then enter
the MA in Australian Art by coursework program or the MA in Gallery and Museum
Studies by coursework program. Candidates who gain an average result grade of
distinction or high distinction may apply for entry into the MA by research
programs. The masters qualifying program is intended primarily for students who
wish to pursue areas of visual arts or visual culture at an advanced level but
who do not have a completed honours degree. As a means to study at MA level, it
parallels the postgraduate diploma but is similar to the honours program in
structure.
A Bachelor of Arts pass degree with a major sequence in visual arts or visual culture and an average result at third-year of at least credit level.
To complete this program, students are required to take subjects totalling 48 points value from the following list:
* IF CANDIDATES HAVE ALREADY TAKEN THIS SUBJECT AT THIRD-YEAR LEVEL, THEY ARE NOT PERMITTED TO ENROL IN THE EQUIVALENT SUBJECT AT FOURTH-YEAR LEVEL. STUDENTS MUST CHOOSE AN ALTERNATIVE SUBJECT.
Course
code: 0166 * Course fees: Local students - HECS; international students -
$A13,000 * Coordinator: Leigh Astbury
The diploma offers a qualification to those engaged with visual art and with
visual culture, or to those seeking cultural studies in art history, theory and
film. Students proceed by undertaking four postgraduate coursework subjects
valued at 12 points from the schedule below. The diploma courses each involve
one year of full-time study or two years of part-time study. Note that not all
subjects are available in a given year.
There are three paths of entry to the postgraduate diploma program: (i) a BA with a major in visual arts or in visual culture; (ii) a faculty certificate with credits as the average grade; (iii) applicants who have completed a bachelors degree with (a) a major in other related disciplines or (b) have gained significant work experience in the area of the visual arts may also be accepted into the program at the discretion of the head of department and the faculty. For the work experience criteria, see the entry requirements for the masters by coursework programs in Australian art or in gallery and museum studies.
Students are required to complete four subjects totalling 48 credit points from the schedule below.
Program
code: 2060 * Program fee: Local students - $A3300 * Program director: head of
section
This program, of one semester full-time and two semesters part-time, gives a
formal framework for students to undertake studies in visual arts subjects at
fourth-year level. The certificate is of particular value for students who have
already completed a major or minor sequence in visual arts but who wish to take
additional subjects, either to broaden their disciplinary contact or to pursue
study in a particular area of visual culture. The certificate course is also
geared to students who are intending to pursue graduate study but who need
familiarity with particular subjects or areas of theory in the visual arts as a
bridge to either a major undergraduate sequence or to graduate work. The course
also assists students who wish to augment another tertiary qualification with a
formal course of study in visual arts or visual culture.
Through the certificate, students will have a range of contact with research,
seminars, debate and methodology within visual culture. The faculty certificate
is not intended as a foundation or entry year for graduate study, but is a
general qualification which augments the bachelors degree in visual culture.
Students who have completed the certificate program with grades at credit level
or higher are eligible to apply for admission into the Postgraduate Diploma of
Arts (Art History/Film Studies) program.
(i) A bachelors degree in visual arts, visual culture or a related discipline; or (ii) if no degree, five years professional experience in an area recognised by the faculty in consultation with the department. Experience of particular relevance for visual culture includes sustained work in art galleries and museums, or the preparation of gallery or museum catalogues or monographs; work in the production or administration of film, television or their archives, research or substantial administrative work in heritage, architecture or design, or in public agencies involved with the visual arts. Evidence should include (a) two references, commenting on the nature and extent of the experience; (b) a full CV; (c) a statement of up to 1000 words on the applicant's career objectives and reasons for applying for entry, indicating any relevant publications, any community service at a senior level, and any other relevant qualifications.
Subjects
taken at fourth year as part of a postgraduate sequence in visual culture are
normally weighted at 12 points each.
Students undertake two fourth-year-level subjects totalling 24 credit points,
as offered by the Department of Visual Culture.
Students intending to progress directly, or articulate, to the postgraduate
diploma need to choose subjects at a fourth-year level. Note that asterisked
subjects are offered at third-year level. Students are not permitted to take
more than one of these subjects in their selection.
* CANDIDATES WHO HAVE UNDERTAKEN THIS SUBJECT AT THIRD YEAR MUST CHOOSE AN ALTERNATIVE SUBJECT.
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