The World in Twenty Art Works (AHIS10003)
Undergraduate level 1Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
Overview
| Availability | Semester 2 |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
In examining a number of exceptional artworks of many different types and drawn from many cultures and periods, this subject explores how art can be a window into different times, peoples and places across the world, as well as into our own beliefs and the contemporary world. Each lecture will focus on one artwork from a watershed moment in the history of art. Artworks examined will include a wide range of media, from performance art to rock art, calligraphy to altarpieces, painting and sculpture to decorative arts. As well as introducing students to current issues in art history and visual studies, and to a wide variety of art practices, mediums and traditions seen through multiple perspectives, it will equip students with a toolkit for examining, understanding and writing about artworks.
The subject is taught by a team of scholars from the University of Melbourne art history program. On completing the subject students will have acquired basic skills in the analysis of art, including an understanding of the principal issues and methodologies in the discipline of art history. Students will also have been introduced to the breadth, diversity and shared concerns of diverse cultures and histories.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject, students should be able to:
- Recognise motivations for making visual art during different time periods and across different world cultures.
- Apply knowledge of different cultures to the interpretation of works of visual art.
- Visually analyse artworks in terms of material properties and formal elements.
- Compare and contrast artworks produced in different historical and cultural contexts.
- Evaluate art historical literature, distinguishing authors' methodologies and summarising their main arguments.
- Formulate a written argument that integrates themes and issues common to artworks from different historical and cultural contexts.
Generic skills
Students who successfully complete this subject should be able to:
- Be able 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
- Be able to conceptualise theoretical problems, form judgements and arguments and communicate critically, creatively and theoretically through essay writing, tutorial discussion and presentations
- Be able to communicate knowledge intelligibly and economically through essay writing and tutorial discussion
- Be able to manage and organise workloads for recommended reading, the completion of essays and assignments and examination revision
- Be able to participate in team work through involvement in syndicate groups and group discussions.
Last updated: 9 April 2025
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
AHIS10002 Modern Art: The Politics of the New
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: 9 April 2025
Assessment
Semester 2
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
First Essay
| Week 4 | 25% |
Second Essay
| Week 8 | 50% |
Exam
| During the examination period | 25% |
| Hurdle requirement: 1. Attendance hurdle requirement: This subject has a minimum requirement of 80% attendance at tutorials, seminars, or workshops. There is an expectation that students attend lectures. | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
| Hurdle requirement: 2. Late Penalty and Assessment hurdle requirement: Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at five per cent (5%) of the possible marks available for the assessment task per day or part thereof. All pieces of assessment must be submitted to pass the subject. Each submitted assessment must be complete, constitute a genuine attempt to address the requirements of the task and will not be accepted after 20 University business days from the original assessment due date without written approval. | Throughout the semester | N/A |
Additional details
Last updated: 9 April 2025
Dates & times
- Semester 2
Coordinator Jane Eckett Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours Total 36 hours - 2 x one-hour lecture and 1 x one-hour tutorial per week Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 28 July 2025 to 26 October 2025 Last self-enrol date 8 August 2025 Census date 1 September 2025 Last date to withdraw without fail 26 September 2025 Assessment period ends 21 November 2025 Semester 2 contact information
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: 9 April 2025
Further information
- Texts
- Related Handbook entries
- 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.
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
Last updated: 9 April 2025