Handbook home
Theory and Practice of Art History (AHIS30019)
Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5Dual-Delivery (Parkville)
From 2023 most subjects will be taught on campus only with flexible options limited to a select number of postgraduate programs and individual subjects.
To learn more, visit COVID-19 course and subject delivery.
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 2
Overview
Availability | Semester 2 - Dual-Delivery |
---|---|
Fees | Look up fees |
This capstone subject examines the theory and practice of art history. Through a survey of the different approaches to the study of art which have emerged since the early modern period the subject will provide students with a fundamental grounding in the methodologies of the discipline. Students will also learn the broader critical and analytical skills necessary for the study of art at higher levels. The subject introduces students to the issues involved in applying art historical methods to real world contexts both within the academic environment and in industry contexts such as the museum sector. The subject will involve students in the research and interpretation of works of art encountered in University of Melbourne collections.
Intended learning outcomes
On successful completion of the subject, students should have:
- encountered art in Melbourne collections, institutions, museums and civic spaces, and encounter specialists whose job it is to conserve, collect and display these objects;
- developed a broad understanding of the historical and aesthetic characteristics of artworks produced during selected artistic periods (for example High Renaissance, baroque, rococo, neoclassical, contemporary art);
- an understanding of the varying contexts informing works of art, including the relationship between art and its methods of production and preservation, its engagement with society and installation in museum settings, and the different ways in which viewers respond to art and interpret the meanings and messages which it conveys; and
- achieved a fundamental grounding in the methodologies of the discipline of history, and in the broader critical and analytical skills necessary for the study of art at higher levels
Generic skills
At the completion of this subject, students should gain the following generic skills:
- the ability to conceptualise theoretical problems, form judgments and arguments and communicate critically, creatively and theoretically through essay writing, tutorial discussion and presentations;
- the ability to communicate knowledge intelligibly and economically through essay writing and tutorial discussion;
- the ability to manage and organise workloads for recommended reading, the completion of essays and assignments and examination revision; and
- the ability to participate in team work through involvement in syndicate groups and group discussions.
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
This is a Capstone subject and only available to students in the Art History major within the Bachelor of Arts or the Art History specialisation of the Graduate Diploma in Arts. This subject is not available to students in the minor or as breadth.
Bachelor of Arts students are required to have completed the Level One requirements for the major before enrolling into this subject.
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
Bachelor of Arts students are expected that have completed the Level Two requirements for the major and completing the final year of the degree.
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: 31 January 2024
Assessment
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
An exercise
| During the teaching period | 50% |
A take-home examination
| During the examination period | 50% |
Hurdle requirement: This subject has a minimum requirement of (or at least) 80% attendance at tutorials, seminars, or workshops. There is an expectation that students attend lectures, in person or via online delivery. All pieces of assessment must be submitted to pass this subject. For the purposes of meeting this hurdle requirement, each submitted assessment must be complete and constitute a genuine attempt to address the requirements of the task. (Complete not less than 50% of word count). | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
Additional details
Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 2% per working day.
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Dates & times
- Semester 2
Coordinator Ian McLean Mode of delivery Dual-Delivery (Parkville) Contact hours Total 24 hours: a 2 hour seminar per week throughout semester. Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 25 July 2022 to 23 October 2022 Last self-enrol date 5 August 2022 Census date 31 August 2022 Last date to withdraw without fail 23 September 2022 Assessment period ends 18 November 2022 Semester 2 contact information
Time commitment details
170 hours
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
A subject reader will be available.
Recommended texts and other resources
D'Alleva, Anne, Methods and Theories of Art History, London: Laurence King Publishing, 2012
- Subject notes
This capstone subject is compulsory and only available to students undertaking a major in Art History. It is not available in the minor or as breadth. It is expected that students will have completed all required level 1 and level 2 subjects before enrolling in the capstone.
Bachelor of Arts students should endeavour to take the capstone subject in their final semester of study after completion of 25 pts of 3rd year. See the Handbook Bachelor of Arts entry for each Discipline's requirements.
This subject is compulsory in the Graduate Diploma in Arts (Art History).
Enrolment in the Bachelor of Arts or Graduate Diploma in Arts (Art History) is required.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Major Art History - Links to additional information
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 31 January 2024