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
All students enrolled prior to 2003 must follow the Bachelor of Fine Art and
Bachelor of Fine Art (Honours) course structure which appears in the 2002
undergraduate handbook.
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, printmedia, sculpture, tapestry,
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.
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.
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 60 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.
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.
All students take a professional practice unit.
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.
Students take 12 credit points of corequisite studies which complements their major.
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:
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.
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.
The program reviews research concepts and methodologies and develops the student's capability to apply them both theoretically and in their studio practice.
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.
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.
One additional year of full-time study. Workload as for the pass degree.
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 and a minimum ENTER of 60. Applications will also be considered on the basis of other qualifications assessed as equivalent to the VCE.
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.
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.
No credit or advanced standing will be provided in this course.
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 $14,000 per annum).
Unit |
Year
1 |
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 |
Drawing
1 |
Drawing
2 |
12 cps |
12 cps | ||||||
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 |
Theory unit (choice) 6 cps |
Theory unit (choice) 6 cps |
24 cps |
Research methods in art and design 6 cps |
Research seminar in art and design 6 cps |
36 cps | ||
Professional practice |
C o r e |
Professional practice 6 cps |
6 cps |
6 cps | |||||||
Major studio |
C o r e |
Introductory major studio1 6 cps |
Major studio2 6 cps |
Major studio3 12 cps |
Major studio4 12 cps |
Major studio5 12 cps |
Major studio6 12 cps |
60 cps |
Fine art project studies 12 cps |
Fine art major project 18 cps |
90 cps |
Corequisite studies |
Corequisite studio 6 cps |
Complementa ry practice 6 cps |
12 cps |
12 cps | |||||||
Elective |
6 cps |
12 cps |
6 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 |
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 |
Introductory major studio 1 |
6 cps |
5 hours |
7 hours |
12 hours |
Drawing 1 |
6 cps |
5 hours |
7 hours |
12 hours | |
History of pre-industrial art and design |
6 cps |
3 hours |
9 hours |
12 hours | |
Corequisite studio |
6 cps |
5 hours |
7 hours |
12 hours | |
24 cps |
18 hours |
30 hours |
48 hours | ||
Semester 2 |
Major studio 2 |
6 cps |
5 hours |
7 hours |
12 hours |
Drawing 2 |
6 cps |
5 hours |
7 hours |
12 hours | |
Visual culture and media of the industrial age |
6 cps |
3 hours |
9 hours |
12 hours | |
Complimentary practice |
6 cps |
5 hours |
7 hours |
12hours | |
24 cps |
18 hours |
30 hours |
48 hours | ||
Year 2 |
|||||
Semester 1 |
Major studio 3 |
12 cps |
9 hours |
15 hours |
24 hours |
Theory unit (choice) |
6 cps |
3 hours |
9 hours |
12 hours | |
Elective |
6 cps |
3 hours |
9 hours |
12 hours | |
24 cps |
15 hours |
33 hours |
48 hours | ||
Semester 2 |
Major studio 4 |
12 cps |
9 hours |
15 hours |
24 hours |
Electives |
12 cps |
6 hours |
18 hours |
24 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 unit (choice) |
6 cps |
3 hours |
9 hours |
12 hours | |
Electives |
6 cps |
3 hours |
9 hours |
12 hours | |
24 cps |
14 hours |
34 hours |
48 hours | ||
Semester 2 |
Major studio 6 |
12 cps |
8 hours |
16 hours |
24 hours |
Professional practice |
6 cps |
3 hours |
9 hours |
12 hours | |
Elective |
6 cps |
3 hours |
9 hours |
12 hours | |
24 cps |
14 hours |
34 hours |
48 hours | ||
Total (over three years) |
144 cps |
(15 hours average per week) |
(32 hours average per week) |
||
Year 4 |
|||||
Semester 1 |
Fine art project studies |
12 cps |
14 hours |
2023 hours |
24 hours |
Research methods in art and design |
6 cps |
3 hours |
9 hours |
12 hours | |
Elective |
6 cps |
3 hours |
9 hours |
12 hours | |
24 cps |
10 hours |
38 hours |
48 hours | ||
Semester 2 |
Fine art major project |
18 cps |
14 hours |
3235 hours |
36 hours |
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 |
(hours average per week) |
(hours average per week) |
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.
Previous page | Next page | Section contents | Title and contents