Virtual Worlds in Japanese Art (AHIS30024)
Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
Overview
| Availability | Semester 2 |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
This course will explore the creation, use, and theories of “virtual spaces”— constructed environments and multimedia artworks that combine architecture, gardens, painting, and sculpture to transport viewers into different spatial and temporal universes—in Japanese visual culture.
Through weekly case studies of temples, shrines, gardens, castles, mausoleums, brothels, theatres, museums, and world’s fairs, as well as authentic experiential learning and work integrated learning (WIP), students will gain an understanding of key monuments in Japanese art from the 6th to 20th centuries as well as the manner by which these monuments functioned as greater than the sum of their parts. The techniques and means by which visual arts were employed to overwhelm the senses, transport viewers into supernatural worlds, consolidate political power, placate the dead, and define Japan as a nation and culture itself will be considered.
Intended learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this subject should be able to:
- Identify and categorize many landmark works in the history of Japanese art
- Engage in visual, material, and iconographic analysis to interpret Japanese art and pre-modern art more generally as well as assess the limitations of these foundational skills/approaches to art historical studies
- Recognize and discuss the fundamental artistic, religious, and philosophical concepts underlying the production of Japanese visual and material culture
- Analyse the visual and experiential effect of orchestrated multimedia spaces well as the religious, political, and practical implications of these spaces.
Generic skills
Students who successfully complete this subject should be able to:
- Analyse and critically evaluate images, texts, materials, built environments, and the relationship(s) between these visual mediums
- Clearly communicate—both verbally and in writing—ideas, judgments, and arguments rooted in knowledge gained in class, assigned readings, and individual research
- Clearly communicate—both verbally and in writing—ideas, judgments, and arguments rooted in knowledge gained in class, assigned readings, and individual research
- Manage and organise workloads including readings and essay writing assignments.
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
Prior study in art history, visual culture, Japanese studies, or a related discipline.
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: 4 March 2025
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Visual Analysis Essay
| Week 5 | 40% |
Research Project proposal
| Week 9 | 10% |
Research Project (Written Essay or Video Essay or Webpage) (2000 words / 3 minutes)
| During the examination period | 50% |
| 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 |
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Dates & times
- Semester 2
Coordinator Mark Erdmann Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours Total 30 hours: 1 hour lecture and 1.5 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: 4 March 2025
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Subject readings will be available online.
Recommended texts and other resources
Adobe Creative Cloud can be used in this subject. It is recommended you purchase a licence via Student IT https://studentit.unimelb.edu.au/software#adobecc
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
Last updated: 4 March 2025