Monash University Handbook 2010 Undergraduate - Unit

Synopsis

The aesthetic, spiritual and ideological energies of the industrial period in painting, furniture, advertising, metalwork and so on. The meaning of works of art and design and the meaning of the standard survey which is traditionally constructed to explain the patterns of art history.

Objectives

On successful completion of this unit, students will:

1. enjoy interpreting the cultural significance of works of art and design by placing them in the appropriate social, cultural and artistic climate;
2. be able to chart the aesthetic and semantic origins of works and identify their social role, engaging a structured combination of historical information and imaginative conjecture;
3. cultivate theoretical curiosity for the increasing alienation of design, art and craft in the industrial period;
4. be able to produce a perceptive description of works and imaginatively connect such description with critical awareness;
5. present a combination of factual and subjective arguments in an articulate, critical and written manner;
6. recognise and champion critical values when conducting visual analysis and purposefully identify subjective habits and assumptions underlying attempts at historical or objective observation.

Assessment

2 written projects: 70%
1 slide test: 30%

Chief examiner(s)

John Gregory

Contact hours

One 2-hour lecture, one 1-hour tutorial and 9 independent study hours per week