Venice and Cultures of Consumption (HIST30051)
Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5Not available in 2018
About this subject
Overview
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This intensive four-week study abroad subject is taught on location in Venice. The Renaissance in Italy is regarded by many as the locus of the first consumer society in the western world. Venice was at the centre of the new commercial revolution and the trade and production of the luxury goods that were its staple. With a series of lectures, tutorials and detailed site visits, this subject examines Venice's position as a trading empire, and the goods traded, produced and consumed from luxurious textiles, printed books, art works, dyes and spices, to slaves and prostitutes. Venetian authorities were actively involved in regulating consumption with the passage of extensive sumptuary laws, the development of copyright, the application of duties and taxes, and a complex system of surveillance. Students will complete this subject with a deeper understanding of Venetian culture and society and its contribution to the globalised luxury trades; one of the key markers of the west and of modernity.
Intended learning outcomes
Students who complete this subject should be able to:
- reflect critically on the city of Venice as a central site for the development of consumer culture in the west;
- acquire an understanding of Venetian and Italian culture and its contribution to understandings of modernity and the west;
- be critically immersed in the cultural sites and artefacts of an historic city, and the ways in which these have been analysed in primary and secondary sources;
- gain an understanding of a culture's complexity, and respect for difference and diversity;
- develop critical thinking and analysis through recommended reading, essay writing and tutorial discussion, and by determining the strength of an argument; and
- demonstrate skills in public presentations and confidence in self expression through seminar presentations, essays, digital and online journal forums.
Last updated: 14 March 2025
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Students enrolling in this subject must have coordinator approval. The application process is available from the subject coordinator.
Corequisites
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| ITAL20006 | Languages of Venice: Study Abroad | Not available in 2018 |
12.5 |
| ITAL30012 | Languages of Venice: Study Abroad | Not available in 2018 |
12.5 |
Non-allowed subjects
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| HIST20052 | Venice and Cultures of Consumption | Not available in 2018 |
12.5 |
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 14 March 2025
Assessment
Additional details
- A digital storytelling journal, 1500 equivalent words, due during the intensive (40%)
- A research essay, 2500 words, due 19 February 2018 (60%)
Hurdle requirement:
- Students must attend a minimum of 75% of tutorials/on site visits in order to pass this subject.
- All assessment tasks must be submitted to pass this subject.
Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% per day. After five working days late assessment will not be marked. In class tasks missed without approval will not be marked.
Last updated: 14 March 2025
Dates & times
Not available in 2018
Time commitment details
170 hours
Last updated: 14 March 2025
Further information
- Texts
- Subject notes
Note: Students are selected for this subject based on academic merit. The application process is available from the subject coordinator.
Itinerary and travel arrangements are available from the subject coordinator from March 2017. The subject dates and HECS/course fee census date for this subject change each year. Check your enrolment records for the correct census date for this subject.
Dates of travel: 17 November (departure date) (subject begins 20 November) to 15 December 2017.
- Off-campus study
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Minor European Studies Major Ancient, Medieval and Early Modern Studies Major Major History - Breadth options
This subject is available as breadth in the following courses:
- Bachelor of Biomedicine
- Bachelor of Commerce
- Bachelor of Design
- Bachelor of Environments
- Bachelor of Music
- Bachelor of Science
- Links to additional information
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Please note Single Subject Studies via Community Access Program is not available to student visa holders or applicants
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Last updated: 14 March 2025