Monash University: University Handbooks: Undergraduate handbook 2005: Units indexed by faculty
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Undergraduate handbook 2005 - Art and Design

Bachelor of Fine Art

Course code: 2119 + Course abbreviations: BFA + Total credit points required: 144 + 3 years full-time

Study mode and course location

On-campus (Caulfield)

Course description

The course offers a program of education within the discipline and practice of the fine arts. 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. A fourth year of honours studies is available for students of merit to pursue specialist study and research.

Entry requirements

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.

Course structure

The course provides a strong focus of fine art activity oriented to the student's chosen studio. The course consists of the following areas of study:
(a) 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 minimum credit-point requirement for graduation in a studio major is 54.
(b) 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.
(c) Professional practice (6 credit points)
All students take a professional practice unit.
(d) 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.
(e) Corequisite and complementary studies (12 credit points)
Students take 12 points of approved studies which complement their major.
(f) Electives (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 of electives might include the following:

(g) Occupational health and safety (0 credit points)
A compulsory health and safety unit which deals with issues relevant to art and design.

Course requirements
First year (48 points)
First semester
Second semester
Second year (48 points)
First semester
Second semester
Third year (48 points)
First semester
Second semester
Course map

Refer to 'Course map 6 - Bachelor of Fine Arts' (course code 2119) at the back of the Faculty of Art and Design section of this handbook.

Contact details

Inquiries: telephone +61 3 9903 2815, email finearts@artdes.monash.edu.au or visit http://www.artdes.monash.edu.au.

Course coordinator

Dr Christopher Headley

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