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Perception, Illusions and Art (OPTO20004)
Undergraduate level 2Points: 12.5On Campus (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 |
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Fees | Look up fees |
Nothing you see is real. You have no direct access to your physical world other than through your senses. In this subject you will learn the science behind the fundamental perceptual processes underlying your sense of vision, including: motion and time perception, luminance and contrast perception, colour perception, geometry perception, space and size perception, and face perception. Visual illusions will be used to highlight key features of these complex perceptual processes, and you will develop an understanding of how the scientific basis of these processes is informed by research into vision and visual illusions. You will extend your understanding by exploring how artists (including graphic designers and moviemakers) exploit these processes for visual impact or aesthetic effect.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject students should be able to:
- discuss the origin of visual illusions;
- argue that visual illusions arise because the visual system has evolved to be optimised for common stimuli and does not perform well when exposed to unusual contexts
- explain how research into visual illusions can inform us about the scientific basis of visual perception;
- explain the science behind the perceptual processes underlying vision, describe how these perceptual processes give rise to visual illusions, and describe how artists exploit these perceptual processes for visual impact or aesthetic effect, in each of the following domains:
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- Motion and time perception
- Luminance and contrast perception
- Colour perception
- Geometry perception
- Space and size perception
- Face perception
Generic skills
On completion of this subject students should be able to:
- integrate knowledge from different domains and articulate knowledge and understanding in written form
- apply critical thinking and problem solving skills to new problems
- manage competing demands on time
Last updated: 27 April 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
While there are no specific prerequisites for this subject, it is pitched at a level that requires the generic skills typical of a student in the second year of their studies. Students in their first year should not attempt this 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: 27 April 2024
Assessment
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
multiple-choice question test
| Week 7 | 15% |
Essay
| End of semester | 15% |
Written examination
| During the examination period | 70% |
Last updated: 27 April 2024
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Principal coordinator Andrew Anderson Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 3 x 1 hr lectures 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 hrs
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: 27 April 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
None
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Informal specialisation Science Discipline subjects - new generation B-SCI - Breadth options
This subject is available as breadth in the following courses:
- Bachelor of Commerce
- Bachelor of Environments
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Acting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Animation)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Dance)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Film and Television)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Music Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Production)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Screenwriting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Visual Art)
- Bachelor of Music
- 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.
- 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: 27 April 2024