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Twentieth-Century Italian Art: 1909-1969 (AHIS40008)
HonoursPoints: 12.5Dual-Delivery (Parkville)
To learn more, visit 2023 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 1
Overview
Availability | Semester 1 - Dual-Delivery |
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Fees | Look up fees |
This subject is an advanced seminar which examines specific moments in twentieth-century Italian art. Exploring a broad range of visual culture in modern Italy, the syllabus will cover artistic developments and critical debates in painting, sculpture, film, architecture and industrial design. This material will be brought into focus by being organized around two fundamental issues: the relationship between art and events in the broader social and cultural sphere, and the changing face of avant-garde practice throughout twentieth-century Italian art. Students will investigate the futurist movement’s violent polemic against traditional art and their various attempts to connect art and everyday life through painting, sculpture, music, fashion and the decorative arts. The complex relationship between futurism and fascism will also be examined in conduction with a broader study of fascist culture, which will concentrate on architecture, propaganda and political spectacle. The work of post-WWII realist film-makers and industrial designers will be studied in the light of their claims to bring art closer to the people. The rise of abstraction during the 50s and 60s will also be examined. Lucio Fontana’s introduction of anti-artistic and industrial materials into his painting and sculpture will be studied, as will the work of Piero Manzoni, who mercilessly attacked the post-WWII commercialisation of the avant-garde. The subject will conclude with a survey of the late 1960s work of the Arte povera artists, whose emphasis on process and materiality will be examined as part of the ongoing ambition in Italian art to disintegrate the boundaries of the traditional art work and bring it down to earth.
Intended learning outcomes
On successful completion of this subject, students should have:
- An understanding of the major art practices and theories in Italy from the beginning of Futurism in 1909 to 1969
- The ability to recognise the work of specific artists and artistic movements of the period and explain them in relation to their social and political context
- Developed their ability to think creatively and express their ideas clearly in written communication
- Developed an appreciation for a range of art historical approaches to studying the relationship between art and politics in Italian modern art
- The ability to conduct independent research using catalogued sources and bibliographical indexes
- Developed their skills in verbal communication and oral presentation
Generic skills
At the completion of this subject, students should gain the following genric skills:
- Ability 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
- Ability to conceptualise theoretical problems, form judgements and arguments and communicate critically, creatively and theoretically through essay writing, tutorial discussion and presentations
- Ability to communicate knowledge intelligibly and economically through essay writing and tutorial discussion
- Ability to manage and organise workloads for recommended reading, the completion of essays and assignments and examination revision
- Ability to participate in team work through involvement in syndicate groups and group discussions
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
AHIS40008 Futurism and Fascist Art in Italy
Recommended background knowledge
Prior completion of at least one undergraduate Art History subject.
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 essay based on a class presentation
| During the teaching period | 40% |
A research essay
| During the examination period | 60% |
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 1
Coordinator Anthony White Mode of delivery Dual-Delivery (Parkville) Contact hours A 2-hour seminar per week. Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 27 February 2023 to 28 May 2023 Last self-enrol date 10 March 2023 Census date 31 March 2023 Last date to withdraw without fail 5 May 2023 Assessment period ends 23 June 2023 Semester 1 contact information
Time commitment details
170 hours
What do these dates mean
Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:
- Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
- And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
- Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
A subject reader will be available.
- Subject notes
Admission to the Master of Art curatorship, postgraduate diploma or fourth year honours in art history.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Specialisation (formal) Art History Specialisation (formal) Art History Specialisation (formal) Art History Specialisation (formal) Art History Informal specialisation PD-ARTS Art History - 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.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Additional information for this subject
Subject coordinator approval required
- 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