107-046 Contemporary Australian Art

Bachelor of Creative Arts students may credit this subject to a Media Arts and Visual Media major at second or third year.

Usually 12.5 points of first-year art history. Students seeking information on variations to normal prerequisites should contact the subject coordinator.

This subject examines contemporary artistic practice in Australia, from 1970 to the present. A broad variety of media will be considered, including painting, sculpture, installation, performance, photography, video and multimedia technologies. Artistic practices will be related to significant issues in the formation of Australian culture over the period: the relationship of regional and global cultures; the diversity of identities within contemporary culture; the impact of new technologies and ideologies on culture. Artists' responses to social debate on issues such as race relations, immigration, the environment, censorship, republicanism, gay and lesbian politics will be considered. In addition, changes in the infrastructure and institutions of the culture industry - galleries, museums, publishing and media - will be examined.

• be able to research through the competent use of the library and other information sources, and be able to define areas of inquiry and methods of research in the preparation of essays;

• be able to conceptualise theoretical problems, form judgements and arguments and communicate critically, creatively and theoretically through essay writing, tutorial discussion and presentations;

• be able to communicate knowledge intelligibly and economically through essay writing and tutorial discussion;

• be able to manage and organise workloads for recommended reading, the completion of essays and assignments and examination revision;

• be able to participate in team work through involvement in syndicate groups and group discussions.

Written work totalling 4000 words consisting of three assessment tasks: a research essay of 2000 words 40% (due during semester), and two take-home examinations, each equivalent to 1000 words and worth 30% (due mid-semester and during the examination period). Students must attend at least 75% of all classes.

A subject reader will be available from the Bookroom at the beginning of semester