Outline

Overview

Why Art Matters explores the importance of art in the world, through object-based seminars, lectures and student led presentations. It asks why art is so fundamental to human experience, and how we might study it and articulate its importance. It builds key art historical skills of recognition, analysis, interpretation and expression, and introduces students to a wide variety of different material objects and artworks. The course is taught in small group streams, largely in the Chau Chak Wing museum and will help all majoring art history students build confidence and skill in researching, analysing and communicating about art.

Unit details and rules

Unit code	ARHT2680
Academic unit	Art History
Credit points	6
Prohibitions ?	None
Prerequisites ?	12 credit points at 1000 level in the Art History major
Corequisites ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Mark Ledbury, mark.ledbury@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Mark Ledbury, mark.ledbury@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Peyvand Firouzeh, peyvand.firouzeh@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Assignment	Reflective Journal A reflective journal outlining student learning processes and achievements	30%	Formal exam period Due date: 22 Nov 2021 at 23:59	2000 wd equivalent
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Presentation and Research report Student presentation of one object and write up of research on the object.	40%	Week 12 Due date: 01 Nov 2021 at 23:59	1500 words/10 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Group presentation Week 13 An Oral presentation presented live or recorded live by remote students.	30%	Week 13 Due date: 12 Nov 2021 at 23:59	20 min presentation/1000 wds per student
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Object Presentation and write up. 10 minutes prepared object presentation, with write up of 1000 words. You’ll be given a list of objects from which to select one, prepare and research it, and present it orally to your seminar group in weeks 3-12. The Write-up should be 1000 words. the Presentation counts as 750 words equivalent. The Oral Presentation and write up are counted as two assessments and the write up must be submitted via turnitin.
Group presentation. In Week 13, Groups of 4 students will present a 20 minute presentation to a plenary session – and answer questions for 10 minutes. Groups will start to prepare this presentation in week 7, and each student will contribute c750 words equivalent to the presentation. All members of the group receive the same mark for the presentation. Guidelines and criteria will be on the Canvas site and there will be a chance for rehearsal/questions built in to the course timetable. Presentation scripts and Powerpoints to be submitted as PDF via turnitin.
Reflective Journal each student keeps a reflective journal assessing and analyzing their learning and their encounters with objects , as well as their research and their preparations for the final presentation. (2000 word equivalent, text/images/sketches – to be submitted as a pdf document through Turnitin) Guidelines and examples of reflective journals will be on the Canvas site.

Assessment criteria

HD	Result name High distinction	Mark Range 85 - 100	Description Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
DI	Distinction	75 - 84	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
CR	Credit	65 - 74	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
PS	Pass	50 - 64	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
FA	Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.
AF	Absent fail	0 - 49	When you haven’t completed all assessment tasks or met the attendance requirements.
CN	Cancelled	No mark	When your enrolment has been cancelled.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

(1) It is expected that, unless an application for a simple extension or special consideration has been approved, students will submit all assessment for a unit of study on the due date specified. If assessment is completed or submitted within a period of extension, no academic penalty will be applied to that piece of assessment. (2) If an extension is either not sought, not granted or is granted but work is submitted after the extended due date, the late submission of assessment will result in an academic penalty as outlined in section 7A of the Assessment Procedures 2011.This document is available at https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwiOvvO5gK_xAhWX7XMBHeA5BPsQFjAAegQIBhAD&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sydney.edu.au%2Fpolicies%2Fshowdoc.aspx%3Frecnum%3DPDOC2012%2F267%26RendNum%3D0&usg=AOvVaw0YF_FjnjvtHwXmwG3DHL12 If a student misses their presentation slot for individual presentations, without special consideration or other reason, and does not make arrangements for a reschedule, they will receive a zero grade for that presentation, but may submit a write up. Any individual not present for the group presentation or found not to have been a consistent contributor to the group work will receive a zero mark for the group presentation- see the specific guidelines in the Canvas documentation.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Why does Art Matter? and what's this course about? This is an introduction to the course, its questions, and its methods as well as practical information about how it will happen. You will meet your two convenors and leaders, Mark Ledbury and Peyvand Firouzeh	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 02	How has art made a difference to social, cultural and environmental concerns? In this lecture and associated material we explore art's impact or possible impact and debate its place in larger societal movements and cultural life	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 03	Object Based Seminar 1- you will be in the CCW museum seminar rooms for these sessions	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 04	Object Based Seminar 2- you will be in the CCW museum seminar rooms for these sessions	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 05	Object Based Seminar 3- you will be in the CCW museum seminar rooms for these sessions	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 06	Object Based Seminar 4- you will be in the CCW museum seminar rooms for these sessions	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 07	Object Based Seminar 5- you will be in the CCW museum seminar rooms for these sessions	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 09	Object Based Seminar 6 -you will be in the CCW teaching rooms for these sessions	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 10	Object based seminar 7 - you will be in the CCW Teaching rooms for these sessions	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 11	Object Based Seminar 8 - you will be in the CCW teaching rooms for these seminars	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 12	Object Seminar 9: You will be in the CCW Museum teaching rooms for these sessions	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 13	Presentations- given in front of plenary sessions- these will take place on Thursday/Friday of Week 13 at times/schedules to be arranged on Canvas	Presentation (4 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

We very strongly recommend that all students attend all classes given the student-led, object-based nature of this course, and the fact that object-based teaching is more difficult than other forms of teaching and learning to replicate on zoom. While we will record object-based sessions, the nature of the space and activities mean that the recordings will not reflect the learning experience in class.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Material to prepare sessions and the general reading list for the unit will be on the Unit Canvas site

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. Students encounter and engage a variety of global traditions of art and explore the critical debates that help relate different traditions within the broader history of art in the world
LO2. Students engage with objects to hone skills of observation and analysis, extending and amplifying their critical practice.
LO3. Students acquire knowledge of specific areas, periods, genres and styles of art and visual culture.
LO4. Students extend their skills and abilities in presenting visual material through critical argument in extended written and oral presentations.
LO5. Students assume responsibility for their own research methods and encounter the full spectrum of methods of research and scholarship
LO6. Students engage with each other as peer supporters and learners through preparation, engagement and questioning

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

This is the first time this unit has been offered

Additional information

Site visit guidelines

For guidelines on how to work with objects in the CCW study rooms, see the Canvas site.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Site visit guidelines

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

ARHT2680: Why Art Matters

Semester 2, 2021 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Site visit guidelines

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect