Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term1 2025
Course Code: GEDU6113C
Course Title: Research history and theory to inform own arts practice
Important Information:
Please note that this course may have compulsory in-person attendance requirements for some teaching activities.
To participate in any RMIT course in-person activities or assessment, you will need to comply with RMIT vaccination requirements which are applicable during the duration of the course. This RMIT requirement includes being vaccinated against COVID-19 or holding a valid medical exemption.
Please read this RMIT Enrolment Procedure as it has important information regarding COVID vaccination and your study at RMIT: https://policies.rmit.edu.au/document/view.php?id=209.
Please read the Student website for additional requirements of in-person attendance: https://www.rmit.edu.au/covid/coming-to-campus
Please check your Canvas course shell closer to when the course starts to see if this course requires mandatory in-person attendance. The delivery method of the course might have to change quickly in response to changes in the local state/national directive regarding in-person course attendance
School: 515T Creative Industries
Campus: City Campus
Program: C4415 - Certificate IV in Photography and Digital Imaging
Course Contact: Nat Morawski
Course Contact Phone: +61399255583
Course Contact Email: nat.morawski@rmit.edu.au
Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff
Nominal Hours: 70
Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.
Pre-requisites and Co-requisites
None
Course Description
In this course you will learn the skills and knowledge required to use investigative and critical thinking techniques to evaluate history and theory information and distil key themes and ideas.
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
CUARES403 Research history and theory to inform own arts practice |
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Element: |
1. Research history and theory |
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Performance Criteria: |
1.1 Discuss research ideas with appropriate people and identify implications for own artspractice 1.2 Identify and investigate new and alternative information sources for relevance to own arts practice 1.3 Use formal and informal research techniques to access information 1.4 Organise research materials and findings for current and future use |
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Element: |
2. Link research to own arts practice |
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Performance Criteria: |
2.1 Evaluate information in context of own arts practice and work of others 2.2 Assess ways in which different aspects of history and theory may be used, adapted and challenged 2.3 Extract key themes, ideas and opinions to assist in clarity of thought 2.4 Develop conclusions from research findings in consultation with appropriate people |
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Element: |
3. Update and maintain knowledge of trends in own arts practice |
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Performance Criteria: |
3.1 Identify and use opportunities to update and expand own knowledge of history and theory 3.2 Incorporate knowledge into own arts practice 3.3 Seek feedback on quality of research methodology and outcomes, and note areas for future improvement |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course you will have developed and applied the skills and knowledge required to demonstrate competency in the above elements.
Details of Learning Activities
Learning Activities may include but are not limited to:
- class exercises to review discussions/lectures
- analysis/critique of relevant reading material
- seminars/workshops
- design activities or projects
- group projects
- peer learning
- guest lecture/presentation
- class presentations
- group discussion
- research
- independent project-based work
- group activities/projects
- ‘workshopping’ of student projects including peer/lecturer feedback
- visits to galleries and events
Teaching Schedule
Please refer to Canvas.
Note: While your teacher will cover all the material in this schedule, the weekly order is subject to change depending on class needs and availability of speakers and resources
| Week 1 |
Lecture: Why look back? Light & silver, photographic inventions Briefing for Assignment 1 Activity: Experiment with historical photographic ideas & research historic photographers. Activity: File organisation, Harvard referencing
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Presentation on methods of research, a critical look at history and the beginnings of photography.
Workshop: The Camera Obscura | Cameras before photography
Assignment 01 Briefing |
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| Week 2 |
Library presentation: How to research? Lecture: From the beginnings of image making to the beginning of Photography Advancements in photographic processes Photography’s transition from Pictorialists to the Realists Activity: Digital pinhole & long exposure
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From the beginnings of image making to the beginning of Photography
Workshop: Digital pinhole & long exposure
Assignment 01 - Part A |
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| Week 3 |
Lecture: The evolution of Landscape photography This lecture focuses the history of landscape photography, how it changes over time and the influence of significant figures like Ansel Adams, Edward Western and on significant Australian landscape photographers. Harvard referencing pt.2: Reference lists/Bibliography Anna Atkins & the first photo book Activity: Lumen printing & photograms |
The evolution of Landscape photography
Workshop: Lumen Printing & Photograms
Assignment 01 - Part B Briefing |
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| Week 4 |
Lecture: History of photographic processes The evolution of the camera & the impact of 35mm cameras on Photography. Pivotal Photographers
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Crediting photography & art learning activity
Workshop: Film Camera tutorial |
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| Week 5 |
Lecture: Photography changes everything A look at the impact of photography in areas such as academia, technology, conflict, communication, journalist etc. Still images to moving images
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Workshop: Moving image
Assignment 01 - Part B |
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| Week 6 |
Lecture: Fashion & Portrait Photography Avedon’s predecessors, his influences the magazines he worked for and his influence on others. Activity: Creating project ideas |
Workshop: Creating project ideas
Assignment 01 - Part B |
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| Week 7 |
Gallery visit TBC (ACMI) |
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| Week 8 |
Presentation skills This session will assist you in the building and presenting of your Assignment 1. Activity: Mood boards
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Assignment 1 - Canvas submission DUE |
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| Week 9 |
Assignment 1 Presentations Students present to the class, pitch their project ideas and give and receive critical feedback .
Project work: Time to work on creative projects. |
Assignment 1 - Visual & oral presentation DUE General feed back on student presentations
Assignment 02 Briefing |
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| Week 10 |
Lecture: Presentation featuring a significant photographers from 1960s to now. Briefing for Assignment 2 Now in colour Photography in colour Project work: Time to work on creative projects. |
Assignment 02 - Briefing |
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MID-SEMESTER BREAK April 18th - 25th NO CLASSES
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| Week 11 |
Lecture: Evolution of the camera pt.2 Invention of the digital camera and computer technologies Evolution of street photography Look at the early examples of photographer working on the street to some of the famous exponents of the genre and how that has influenced modern street photography. |
Project work: Time to work on creative projects.
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| Week 12 |
Lecture: Digital photography emerges: Photoshop & the future of photography.
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Project work: Time to work on creative projects. Assignment 02 |
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| Week 13 |
Lecture: Contemporary photography processes How artists are expanding ideas of photography and pushing boundaries within the field.
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Project work: Time to work on creative projects. Assignment 2 |
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| Week 14 |
Lecture: Photography and technology How technology has changed photography and how photography changed technology. |
Project work: Time to work on creative projects. Assignment 2 |
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| Week 15 |
Assignment 2 Presentations: Students to present their final completed projects to the class & give and receive critical feedback on final works. |
Assignment 2 - Visual & Oral Presentation Canvas Submission DUE |
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| Week 16 |
Assignment 2 Presentations: Students to present their final completed projects to the class & give and receive critical feedback on final works. |
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Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
References
Other Resources
The library provides free study support services and resources to help you build your academic skills. This includes subject specialist expertise, research advice, help with referencing and other services. You can also access one-on-one consultations through the library. For further information:
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/support-services/study-support
Overview of Assessment
Assessment for this course is ongoing throughout the semester. Your knowledge and understanding of course content is assessed through participation in class exercises, oral/written presentations and through the application of learned skills and insights. Full assessment briefs will be provided and can be found on CANVAS
Assessment Tasks
Students enrolled in Vocational Education and Training qualifications are assessed for Competency. To be assessed as Competent means you have consistently demonstrated the required knowledge and skills at a standard expected in the workplace.
To be assessed as Competent in this course, you will need to complete each assessment task to a satisfactory standard. You will receive feedback from the teacher at the conclusion of each assessment task.
You should refer to the assessment brief which is available through Canvas for full assessment criteria and due dates
Results that apply to courses that are delivered and assessed in accordance with competency-based assessment are:
CA: Competency Achieved
NYC: Not Yet Competent
DNS: Did not Submit for Assessment
Assessment Matrix
The assessment matrix demonstrates alignment of assessment tasks with the relevant unit of competency. These mapping documents are available through Program Administration if required.
Other Information
Attendance:
Your learning experience will involve class-based teaching, discussion, demonstration and practical exercises
It is strongly advised that you attend all timetabled sessions. This will allow you to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring you the maximum opportunity to complete this course successfully.
Information about your studies:
You can access My Studies through the RMIT website for information about timetables, important dates, assessment dates, results and progress, Canvas etc.
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students
Assessment:
Information on assessment including Special consideration, Adjustments to assessment, (eg. applying for an extension of time):
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/assessment
Academic Integrity and Plagiarism:
RMIT University has a strict policy on plagiarism and academic integrity. Please refer to the website for more information on this policy.
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/academic-integrity
Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning:
Credit transfer is the recognition of previously completed formal learning (an officially accredited qualification).
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is an assessment process that allows you to demonstrate competence using the skills you have gained through experience in the workplace, voluntary work, informal or formal training or other life experiences.
Please speak to your teacher if you wish to discuss applying for Credit Transfer or RPL for the unit(s) of competency addressed in this course.
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/enrolment/apply-for-credit
Course Overview: Access Course Overview