6 points, SCA Band 1, 0.125 EFTSL
Undergraduate - Unit
Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.
Faculty
Organisational Unit
Gippsland Centre for Art and Design
Chief examiner(s)
Coordinator(s)
Not offered in 2018
Prerequisites
Must have passed 12 credit points in Theory of Art and Design, Visual Culture or Cultural Studies
Prohibitions
TAD3207, TAD3217
Synopsis
All forms of media, as powerful and persuasive communicators of ideas, beliefs and stereotypes in our contemporary world, will be analysed. Answers will be sought to many questions including: Who speaks? Who listens? Who is silenced? Who profits? What are the social, environmental and ethical responsibilities of visual communicators? Is it permissible to appropriate other visual practitioners' images and ideas? What are the points of connection and divergence between popular culture and contemporary art? Semiotics, structuralist and post-structuralist theories will be used in an attempt to decode and interpret images.
Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, students will:
- be familiar with the salient ideas and methodologies of semiotics, and how these may contribute to an understanding of art and design
- be familiar with the salient ideas and differences between structuralist and post-structuralist thought, and be able to make connections between these ideas and art and design practice
- be able to use semiotics to critically decode and analyse the images and texts of popular culture
- have an awareness and understanding of the cultural roles and responsibilities of professional communicators in today's society
- comprehend all OHS&E requirements in this unit area.
Assessment
Research essay (2000 words): 40% + Short analytical essay (1000 words): 30% + One tutorial paper (1000 words): 25% + Class participation: 5%
Workload requirements
One 1 hour lecture and one 2 hour tutorial per week
See also Unit timetable information