Monash University: University Handbooks: Undergraduate Handbook 2002: Units indexed by faculty
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Bachelor of Fine Art; Bachelor of Fine Art (Honours)


General information

Course codes: 2119; 2513 + Course abbreviations: BFA; BFA(Hons) + Caulfield campus + Internal mode + Full-time: three years plus one year for honours + Course coordinator: Dr Dan Wollmering
The Bachelor of Fine Art is a three-year degree program of education within the discipline and practice of the fine arts. A fourth year of honours studies is available for students of merit to pursue specialist study and research.
The fine arts are involved with perception and imagination, aesthetics and social and cultural issues: they frequently concern cultural and philosophical inquiry (such as mainstream and marginality), but are often practised solely as an expression of intellectual, creative or spiritual freedom.
The fine art studio units include painting, printmaking, sculpture, tapestry, conceptual practice, photomedia and digital art and are supported by specialist units in drawing, professional practice and the theory of art and design. Elective offerings open up possibilities of studying media and ideas beyond the chosen specialisation.

Structure of the course

The pass degree

The course provides a strong focus of fine art activity oriented to the student's chosen studio. The course is structured to give students the following areas of study.

Major studios (66 credit points)

This is the main study of the course. The major studios are offered at each year stage. The course provides the following major studios:

Students take 66 credit points in the major studio. In order to permit the possibility of movement between studios at the end of first year (subject to selection), without requiring a repeat of first-year studies, the credit-point requirement for graduation in a studio major is 54 credit points.

Theory of art and design (24 credit points)

Students study theory, context and cultural aspects of art and design. Twelve credit points are taken in core units in the first year of study and a further 12 credit points are taken in elective theory units in the second and third years of study.

Professional practice (3 credit points)

All students take a professional practice unit.

Drawing and visual structures (12 credit points)

Students take two compulsory six-credit-point units in the first year. These studies are concerned with the development of perception and visual concepts using drawing. It is anticipated that all students will take further studies in the drawing studio -- up to 24 credit points may be taken this way.

Digital imaging (3 credit points)

This is a preferred elective strand and it is anticipated that most students will at minimum take the unit DIS1101 (Digital imaging 1). Students are expected to have taken a basic computing course prior to enrolment in 'Digital imaging 1'.

Electives (at least 36 credit points)

Elective studies are selected in consultation with the studio coordinators. Units will generally be taken from those available within the Faculty of Art and Design, but units offered elsewhere in the university are also available. As well as the drawing and digital imaging electives, it is likely that many students may also wish to take photomedia and/or other studio studies, and visual communication. A typical program for the balance of the electives might include:

The honours degree

This additional one-year course provides intensive study in the student's selected area of studio practice. It is supported by theory and elective studies.

Studio practice (30 credit points)

The student's study program is developed in conjunction with the course coordinator. Practice is closely linked to the research methods and seminar studies provided in the theory program.

Research methods in art and design (12 credit points)

The program reviews research concepts and methodologies and develops the student's capability to apply them both theoretically and in their studio practice.

Electives (6 credit points)

Selected by students in consultation with the course coordinator. These may provide support for the student's major studio studies or honours project, address areas complementary to the student's previous studies or address issues relevant to the student's career objectives.

Length of course/workload required

Pass

Three years of full-time study. The expected number of hours per week for a full-time student is 48 (contact and non-contact), with appropriate adjustment for any 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 unit. Exceptions will be subject to the approval of the course coordinator.

Honours

One additional year of full-time study. Workload as for the pass degree.

Admission requirements

Pass

The course will be offered through the VTAC system. Entry is on the basis of portfolio, interview and ENTER. Students must have completed VCE units 3 and 4 English (any) with a study score of at least 25. Applications will also be considered on the basis of other qualifications assessed as equivalent to the VCE.

Honours

Completion of the Bachelor of Fine Art or the Bachelor of Visual Arts with a major study in one of the studio areas of the Bachelor of Fine Art or equivalent pass degrees, at a credit level average or higher. Depending on the number of places available, students may also be required to submit a portfolio of studio work for selection into the honours program.

Advanced standing (credit provision)

Pass

Credit will 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, this course falls within the lowest band of HECS liability. The fee for international students will be set by the vice-chancellor from time to time (currently $13,300 per annum).

Unit


Year 1
This year introduces students to the basic skills and intellectual processes required to successfully pursue their chosen area of study.


Year 2 Students progressively improve their practical and intellectual skills, as they continue their educational development through core and elective units.


Year 3 Integration of previous years study with a major focus in their chosen area.


Total years 13

Year 4 A year of intensive study specifically orientated to the students chosen area of professional specialisation.


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

DWG1201 Drawing 1B
6 cps

DWG1202 Drawing 2B
6 cps





12 cps



12 cps

Elective








(12*) cps




Theory of art and design

C o r e

TAD1101 History of pre-industrial art and design 6 cps

TAD1102 Visual culture and media of the industrial age 6 cps

Theory of art and design 3 cps

Theory of art and design 3 cps

Theory of art and design 3 cps

Theory of art and design 3 cps

24 cps

TAD4503 Research methods in art and design 6 cps

TAD4504 Research seminar in art and design 6 cps

36 cps

Elective












Professional practice

C o r e





PPR3201 Professional practiceA (full-year unit) 3 cps


3 cps



3 cps

Elective








(3*) cps




Digital imaging

C o r e











Elective


It is anticipated that most students will take DIS1101 Digital imaging 1.






3 cps (3*)cps



3 cps

Major art studio #

C o r e

# Major studio practice and theory1 9 cps

# Major studio practice and theory2 9 cps

# Major studio practice and theory3 12 cps

# Major studio practice and theory4 12 cps

# Major studio practice and theory5 12 cps

# Major studio practice and theory6 12 cps

66 cps

FNA4001 Project studies 12 cps

FNA4002 Major project 18 cps

96 cps

Elective


Other studio studies. 6 cps at minimum.






(12*) cps




Electives


3 cps

3 cps

9 cps

9 cps

6 cps

6 cps

36 cps (6*)cps

6 cps


42 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.
# For the appropriate unit code for your discipline please refer to the 'Units -- all faculties' section of the handbook. Department of Fine Arts units commence with the prefix FNA.
Note that all courses and units are subject to ongoing review and minor amendments to improve them.
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

Unit

Credit points

Average taught hours per week

Average out of class hours per week

Total hours

Year 1






Semester 1

# Major studio 1

9 cps

10 hours

8 hours

18 hours


DWG1201 Drawing 1 B

6 cps

5 hours

7 hours

12 hours


TAD1101 History of pre-industrial art and design

6 cps

3 hours

9 hours

12 hours


Electives

3 cps

2 hours

4 hours

6 hours



24 cps

20 hours

28 hours

48 hours

Semester 2

# Major studio 2

9 cps

10 hours

8 hours

18 hours


DWG1202 Drawing 2B

6 cps

5 hours

7 hours

12 hours


TAD1102 Visual culture and media of the industrial age

6 cps

3 hours

9 hours

12 hours


Electives: possibly DIS1101 Digital imaging 1

3 cps

2 hours

4 hours

6 hours



24 cps

20 hours

28 hours

48 hours

Year 2






Semester 1

# Major studio 3

12 cps

9 hours

15 hours

24 hours


Theory of art and design

3 cps

2 hours

4 hours

6 hours


Electives: possibly 6 cps of drawing

9 cps

4 hours

14 hours

18 hours



24 cps

15 hours

33 hours

48 hours

Semester 2

# Major studio 4

12 cps

9 hours

15 hours

24 hours


Theory of art and design

3 cps

2 hours

4 hours

6 hours


Electives

9 cps

4 hours

14 hours

18 hours



24 cps

15 hours

33 hours

48 hours

Year 3






Semester 1

# Major studio 5

12 cps

8 hours

16 hours

24 hours


Theory of art and design

3 cps

2 hours

4 hours

6 hours


PPR3201 Professional practice A

3 cps

2 hours

4 hours

6 hours


Electives

6 cps

3 hours

9 hours

12 hours



24 cps

15 hours

33 hours

48 hours

Semester 2

# Major studio 6

12 cps

8 hours

16 hours

24 hours


Theory of art and design

3 cps

2 hours

4 hours

6 hours


Electives

9 cps

5 hours

13 hours

18 hours



24 cps

15 hours

33 hours

48 hours

Total (over three years)


144 cps

(16.6 hours average per week)

(31.3 hours average per week)


Year 4






Semester 1

FNA4001 Project studies

12 cps

1-4 hours

20-23 hours

24 hours


TAD4503 Research methods in art and design

6 cps

3 hours

9 hours

12 hours


Electives

6 cps

3 hours

9 hours

12 hours



24 cps

10 hours

38 hours

48 hours

Semester 2

FNA4002 Major project

18 cps

1-4 hours

32-35 hours

36 hours


TAD4504 Research seminar in art and design

6 cps

3 hours

9 hours

12 hours


24 cps

4 hours

44 hours

48 hours

Total (over four years)


192 cps

(14.2 hours average per week)

(33.7 hours average per week)



# For the appropriate unit code for your discipline, refer to the 'Units -- all faculties' section of this handbook. Department of Fine Arts units commence with the prefix FNA.
Note that all courses and units are subject to ongoing review and minor amendments to improve them. cps: credit points -- the total student workload per week including in and out-of-class work is normally obtained by doubling the credit points.

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