Visual Arts
Students enrolled in degrees other than the Bachelor of Visual Arts and Bachelor of Visual Arts/Bachelor of Advanced Studies can take a Major or Minor in Visual Arts as part of their undergraduate studies in addition to a Major in their own discipline.
Requirements for completion
A major in Visual Arts requires 48 credit points from the table of the shared pool of majors/minors for undergraduate degrees including:
- 12 credit points of 1000-level core Visual Arts Foundation units
- 12 credit points of 2000-level selective units
- 12 credit points of 3000-level core project and interdisciplinary units
- 12 credit points of 3000-level selective units
A minor in Visual Arts requires 36 credit points from the table of the shared pool of majors/minors for undergraduate degrees including:
- 12 credit points of 1000-level core Visual Arts Foundation units
- 12 credit points of 2000-level selective units
- 12 credit points of 3000-level selective units
Consult the course resolutions in your faculty handbook for advice on taking a second major or minor in your degree.
First year
In your first year, you complete two 6 credit point 1000-level units introducing you to visual art practice. Visual Arts Foundation 1 CAVA1001 focuses on a 2 Dimensional (image) and a 3 Dimensional (sculpture) project based creative learning experience in the studio. Visual Arts Foundation 2 CAVA1002 explores 4 Dimensional (Screen) and X Dimensional (interdisciplinary) practices, and further extends your conceptual understanding and creative skills within a contemporary studio framework. You will become familiar with a broad range of concepts and work methods, covering a wide variety of media and processes that incorporates research driven, collaborative, participatory and experimental approaches to visual arts. This will prime you to further develop your own visual language, ideas and modes of expression over subsequent years
Second year
In your second year you complete two 6 credit point 2000-level selective units from the Visual Arts Major table. Visual Arts units at 2000-level introduce complex concepts and more demanding studio based processes within visual arts practice. This diverse offering includes units drawn from a range of studio practices such as painting, printmedia, photomedia, screen arts and sculpture – including ceramics, glass and jewellery, as well as a range of units growing out of experimental practices and the expanded field. You are able to approach this suite of offerings, representing the wealth of creative practice, with a modular, project-based methodology or alternatively focus on complementary units with a view to developing depth of expertise in a particular area of studio practice.
Third year
In your third year the two 6 credit point 3000-level units deepen your engagement with visual arts and contemporary culture, and demand intensive and innovative approaches to studio practice. A great diversity of visual arts practices are again promoted, with the challenging technical and conceptual elements being delivered in a manner that encourages a more proactive and idiosyncratic work method growing from your individual research interests. This requires a higher level of commitment and diligence informed by a sophisticated synthesis of skills previously developed in conjunction with a burgeoning understanding of the particular context or discourse in which you are operating. Further, the principles of practice led research are established in a way that maintains the ability to find a specific focal point alongside the potential to explore a shifting or interdisciplinary mode of art making.
Honours
The honours in Visual Arts allows you to extend your potential in studio-based and written research. You can choose to complete honours in Visual Arts either by studio practice and research paper or by dissertation.
Your final examination will take place at the graduate exhibition at the end of the year. You are required to present your research paper and substantial exhibition, performance or installation of artwork; or dissertation at an oral examination, to a panel of two examiners.
The requirements for honours in Visual Arts are described in the degree resolutions for the Bachelor of Visual Arts/Bachelor of Advanced Studies. 36 credit points of honours units will be included in the table for 2019.
Advanced coursework
The requirements for advanced coursework in Visual Arts are described in the degree resolutions for the Bachelor of Visual Arts/Bachelor of Advanced Studies. 24 credit points of advanced study will be included in the table for 2019.
Contact/further information
Undergraduate Coordinator: Mr Oliver Smith
Email:
Phone: +61 2 9351 1070
Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of contemporary art practices, histories and theories that inform your own creative processes
- Manipulate materials and effectively employ technologies with a level of understanding, skill and knowledge appropriate to the demands of the unit
- Understand the application of research, experimentation and creative thinking as it applies to your conceptual development
- Plan and manage individual project tasks and timelines, generate ideas autonomously and communicate your ideas creatively and effectively
- Demonstrate rigorous and independent thinking and the ability to objectively and critically evaluate concepts and reflect on their outcomes
- Engage critically with social, cultural and ethical issues and apply local and international perspectives to extend your creative practice
- Confidently adopt an experimental, interdisciplinary approach to the
- Apply Workplace Health & Safety (WHS) to all aspects of studio practice