Bachelor of Visual Arts

Course code: 2124 + Course abbreviation: BVA + Total credit points required: 144 + 3 years full-time, 6 years part-time

Study mode and course location

On-campus (Gippsland)

Course description

The course, offered at the Gippsland campus, offers a broad education in the visual arts. Graduates may practise professionally in one or more art media, or may become involved in art gallery activities, cultural programs, art education, or a range of art and design industry activities.

The visual arts are concerned with the range of activities of the fine arts and design, as well as the newer areas such as photomedia and digital media, in addition to the theoretical and cultural aspects of art and design. The course comprises a choice of major disciplines in art, together with complementary studies, and a choice of elective units which, taken together, enable students to form individual study programs.

After successfully completing this course students may extend studies in their chosen major discipline at fourth year/honours level and undertake studies in the research methods of the visual arts.

Course objectives

To educate graduates who have:

a knowledge and understanding of the discipline of the visual arts
a flexible and broad-based approach to the visual arts
concepts and skills pertinent to visual arts practice
capability to assess critically and to contribute to contemporary discourse in the visual arts
capability for theoretical inquiry into art and design practices
the ability to evolve their own aims, interests and vision in both practice and theory
an understanding of the role and contribution of the artist to the cultural economy
ability to apply knowledge, understanding and imagination in aesthetics, history, theory and cultural studies
initiative to work independently.

Course structure

The degree structure is given depth by a sequence of units which form a major study taken over three years. It is given breadth by complementary and other units in studio and theory from which individual study programs can be formed.

(a) First-year study program

The first year of the course has a common structure for all students that provides a sound introduction to both theory and practice in the context of the visual arts and assists the student to make an informed choice of a major study. Elective units are chosen after consultation with the studio coordinator. An example first semester is as follows:

Introductory visual arts studio (6 points)
Drawing (6 points)
Theory of art and design (6 points)
Either Digital media (6 points)
or Elective (6 points).

(b) Second and third year study program

In consultation with the course coordinator, students undertake the major study area, together with supporting units. The typical semester pattern consists of:

Major study: visual arts (12 points) or digital media (12 points)
Complementary studies: theory of art and design (6 points)
Electives (6 points).

Forty-eight points must be taken in the chosen major study at year two and year three levels. Added to the 12 points obtained in year one, this provides a core major of 60 points.

Visual arts studio
Digital media.

(d) Elective units

Elective units are selected by students in consultation with the course coordinator. They will generally be taken from those within the Faculty of Art and Design. However, units elsewhere in the university are also available.

(e) Professional practice (6 points)

All students take one professional practice unit at third-year level.

(f) Occupational health and safety (0 points)

A compulsory health and safety unit which deals with issues relevant to art and design.

Course requirements

First year (48 points)

First semester

DWG1201 Drawing 1B (fine art/visual arts) (6 points)
OHS1000 Introduction to art and design health and safety (0 points)
TAD1101 History of pre-industrial art and design (6 points)
VIS1111 Visual arts studio 1 (6 points)
Either DIS1103 Digital process for art and design
or Elective (6 points)

Second semester

DWG1202 Drawing 2B (fine art/visual arts) (6 points)
TAD1102 Visual culture and media of the industrial age (6 points)
VIS1112 Visual arts studio 2 (6 points)
Either DIS1704 Web design (6 points)
or Elective (6 points)

Second year (48 points)

First semester

Either VIS2103 Visual arts studio 3 (12 points)
or DIS2909 Electronic design (6 points) and DIS2906 Design for multimedia (6 points)
Complementary study: theory of art and design (6 points)
Elective (6 points)

Second semester

Either VIS2104 Visual arts studio 4 (12 points)
or DIS2105 Digital imaging (6 points) and DIS2601 Digital audio/video (6 points)
Complementary study: theory of art and design (6 points)
Elective (6 points)

Third year (48 points)

First semester

Either VIS3105 Visual arts studio 5 (12 points)
Or Digital media studio A (12 points)
Complementary study: theory of art and design (6 points)
Elective (6 points)

Second semester

Either VIS3106 Visual arts studio 6 (12 points)
Or Digital media studio B (12 points)
Complementary study: theory of art and design (6 points)
PPR3202 Professional practice B (6 points)

Contact details

Telephone +61 3 9902 6261, email gippsland@artdes.monash.edu.au or visit www.artdes.monash.edu.au.

Course coordinator

Ms Julie Adams

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