Bachelor of Visual Arts

Course code: 2479 + Course abbreviation: BVA + Total credit points required: 144 + 3 years full-time

Study mode and course location

On-campus (Caulfield - F/T only)

Course description

The course, offered at the Caulfield campus, offers a program of 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 and art education, or in 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.

This BVA degree is an alternative minimum entry requirement for the Honours degree of Bachelor of Fine Arts, which provides a fourth year at Caulfield. 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)
Elective (6 points).

(b) Second and third-year study program

In consultation with the course coordinator, students seek selection into one of the major disciplines, together with supporting units. In the second year of the course, places in specific studios will be allocated on the basis of academic merit. The typical semester pattern consists of:

Major study (6 points)
Complementary practice (6 points)
Electives (6 points)
Theory of art and design (6 points).

At least 36 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 48 points. Students select one of the following major studies:

ceramics
glass
interdisciplinary design
metals/jewellery
painting
photomedia
printmedia
sculpture
tapestry
theory of art and design.

(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)
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)
Elective (6 points)

Second year (48 points)

First semester

Either Major studio 3 (6 points) and Complementary practice
(6 points)
or Theory of art and design (12 points)
Complementary study (theory or studio) (6 points)
Elective (6 points)

Second semester

Either Major studio 4 (6 points) and Complementary practice
(6 points)
or Theory of art and design (12 points)
Complementary study (theory or studio) (6 points)
Elective (6 points)

Third year (48 points)

First semester

Either Major studio 5 (12 points)
or Theory of art and design (12 points)
Complementary study (theory or studio) (6 points)
Elective (6 points)

Second semester

Either Major studio 6 (12 points)
or Theory of art and design (12 points)
Complementary study (theory or studio) (6 points)
PPR3202 Professional practice B (6 points)

Contact details

Telephone +61 3 9903 1517, email enquiries@artdes.monash.edu.au or visit www.artdes.monash.edu.au.

Course coordinator

Dr Dan Wollmering

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