Monash University: University Handbooks: Undergraduate handbook 2004: Units indexed by faculty
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Undergraduate handbook 2004
Art and Design

Bachelor of Fine Art; Bachelor of
Fine Art (Honours)

Course codes: 2119; 2513 + Course abbreviations: BFA; BFA(Hons) + Caulfield + 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 ceramics, glass, metals and jewellery, painting, photomedia, printmedia, sculpture and tapestry, 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.

Course structure

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 (60 credit points)

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

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 (6 credit points)

All students take a professional practice unit.

Drawing (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.

Corequisite studies (12 credit points)

Students take 12 credit points of corequisite studies, which complements their major.

Electives (at least 30 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.

Course length/workload required

Pass degree

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 degree

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

Admission requirements

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 70. Applications will also be considered on the basis of other qualifications assessed as equivalent to the VCE.

Honours degree

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

Pass degree

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 degree

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 $14,900 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 develop-ment through core and elective units.
Year 3
Integration of previous years study with a
major focus in their chosen area.
Total years
1-3
Year 4
A year of intensive
study specifically orientated to the students chosen area
of professional specialisation.
Total years
1-4
    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 1
6 cps
DWG1202 Drawing 2
6 cps
        12 cps     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 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 studio 1
6 cps
Major studio 2
6 cps
Major studio 3
12 cps
Major studio 4
12 cps
Major studio 5
12 cps
Major studio 6
12 cps
60 cps Fine art project studies
12 cps
Fine art major project
18 cps
90 cps
Corequisite studies   Corequisite studio
6 cps
Comple-mentary 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
DWG1201 Drawing 1 6 cps 5 hours 7 hours 12 hours
TAD1101 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
Semester Total   24 cps 18 hours 30 hours 48 hours
Semester 2 Major studio 2 6 cps 5 hours 7 hours 12 hours
DWG1202 Drawing 2 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
Complementary practice 6 cps 5 hours 7 hours 12 hours
Semester Total   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
Semester Total   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
Semester Total   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
Semester Total   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
Semester Total   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 FNA4001 Fine art project studies 12 cps 4 hours 20 hours 24 hours
TAD4503 Research methods in art and design 6 cps 3 hours 9 hours 12 hours
Elective 6 cps 3 hours 9 hours 12 hours
Semester Total   24 cps 10 hours 38 hours 48 hours
Semester 2 FNA4002 Fine art major project 18 cps 4 hours 32 hours 36 hours
TAD4504 Research seminar in art and design 6 cps 3 hours 9 hours 12 hours
Semester Total   24 cps 7 hours 41 hours 48 hours
Total
(over four years)
  192 cps 8.5 (hours average per week) 39.5 (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.

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