Course Title: Analyse cultural history and theory

National Element Code & Title:

CUARES503 Analyse cultural history and theory

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Select focus for research based on own needs and perspectives in consultation with others. 1.2 Consider information and ideas to be obtained. 1.3 Challenge own preconceptions about research processes and potential information sources 1.4 Select relevant historical and contemporary sources for investigation and consider any intellectual property requirements..

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Seek out and compare critical views of others in chosen area of enquiry 2.2 Investigate issues within historical and contemporary production, interpretation, promotion and consumption of culture. 2.3 Allow process of analysis to take exploration of issues in new and unintended directions

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Develop substantiated opinions and ideas about cultural history and theory 3.2 Make informed contributions to discussions of cultural history and theory 3.3 Encourage and participate in open and constructive discussion

Performance Criteria:

4.1 Determine potential for integration of research findings into own work 4.2 Relate cultural history and theory to professional practice 4.3 Identify relationships between history and theory and contemporary cultural practice 4.4 Consider potential benefits of research in own professional practice and its future direction

SEMESTER 2

Week 18

The Bauhaus

The aims and practices of the Bauhaus and the results of its program

1/3

Week 20

Surrealism 2

Precursors to surrealism; ideas and practices of major Surrealist artists; the differences in approach, ideas, forms and influences between the male surrealists and the female surrealists

1/3

Week 22

Angry Penguins: Art In Melbourne In 1940’s/50’s

The issue of distance and its effect on the development of Australian art. The major influences on Australian art in the 1940’s/ 1950’s, especially Surrealism and Expressionism. The impact of World War 2. The Herald Art Show. John and Sunday Reed. Visual versus Haptic approaches to art. A discussion of major artists

1/3

Week 24

Pop Art 1

Social change in the late 50’s/60’s. The rise of the mass media and popular culture. An introduction to the psychology of advertising. Pop as the New Realism. English Pop Art – The influence of American culture on English pop Art

1/3

Week 26

Post Painterly Abstraction

Relation and Reaction to Abstract Expressionism. Influence of European Abstraction. Greenberg’s ideas and his direct influence on PPA artists. Formalism in art and culture in the 50’s/60’s.Characteristics of PPA

1/3

Week 28

Minimalism

The approaching crisis in Late Modernism. Characteristics of Minimal Art and questions raised by Minimal Art. Art as Object. Ideas and aims of Minimalism. Greenberg’s reaction to Minimal Art

1/2/3/4

Week 30

Land Art

The relation between contemporary Land Art and traditional Land Art. Land Art and its connection to a growing ecological awareness. The influence of Minimalism, Conceptualism and Process Art on Land Art. The abandonment of the gallery space. The ambiguous relationship with the gallery system. Types of Land Art. American Vs. European attitude and forms regarding Land Art

ESSAY handed in

1/2/3/4

Week 32

Street Art

An examination of street art in the context of Situationism

1/2/3/4

Assessment for the first semester of this course is based on a topic of the student’s own choosing taken from the time period of study 1860 to 1920’s The student’s knowledge and understanding of course content is assessed through how well he/she has dealt with the historical and conceptual context of the artist or movement chosen; how thoroughly she/he has analysed the works discussed and how well the artist /movement has been situated his/her/it’s social, cultural, political and critical contexts

Assessment for the second semester of this course is based on a brief consisting of 12 essay questions. The student is required to choose one and undertake the research required to answer the chosen question. All questions refer to a movement or subject covered in the lecture series. This essay is more difficult than the first semester essay as the student needs to develop a far more critical position and consists of more demanding type of research than the first semester’s essay.

The following are two sample questions.

Two world wars dominated the first half of the twentieth century. Choose two artists and discuss how they responded to the issues and events of either war, through their art and ideas. Choose two artists from any of the following movements: Dada, New Objectivity, Surrealism, Angry Penguins or Abstract Expressionism. You can choose two artists from the same movement or from two different movements

Unit title

Create works of art for public spaces

RMIT Unit code

OART5003C

Assessment tasks

Elements/ PCs

*Foundation Skills

*Performance Evidence

*Knowledge Evidence

1. Assessment title: Ready for Action – Task 1

Action – Task 2

1/2/3/4

1.1- 4

2.1- 3

3.1- 3

4.1- 4

Reading

- Interprets and evaluates theoretical and contemporary material from selected information sources for use in own practice.

- Evaluates and compares texts that define other positions to inform the development and refinement of own opinions.

Writing

- Develops complex, logically structured material using clear and detailed language to convey analysis of theoretical information, opinions and ideas.

Oral Communications

- Uses relevant vocabulary and terminology to determine requirements with others.

- Participates in detailed exchanges of ideas and opinions using questioning and active listening techniques to elicit different perspectives and to confirm understanding.

Navigate the world of work

- Considers intellectual property responsibilities when planning and undertaking research for own use

Interact with others

- Identifies and uses appropriate communication methods and practices to initiate and participate in discussion and debate with others.

Get the work done

- Takes responsibility planning, organizing and implementing research related tasks

- Uses systematic, analytical and consultative process to make decisions about research objectives and relationships to own practice.

Evidence of the ability to:

- select an appropriate research focus and relevant information sources.

- analyse complex cultural ideas and information

- develop substantiated opinions to advance professional practice

- participate in informed discussion of cultural history and theory

- determine ways to use research in own professional practice

To complete the unit requirements, safely and effectively, the individual must:

-explain criteria for selection of a meaningful individual research focus

-list and describe historical and contemporary sources for cultural research

-the explain the characteristics of a “substantiated opinion or idea”

-explain in detail, the value of cultural history and theory to contemporary practice

-explain how intellectual property issues and legislation relates to the research process

Feedback: 

You will receive verbal and written feedback by teacher on your work.  This feedback also includes suggestions on how you can proceed to the next stage of developing your projects.

Plagiarism

RMIT has a strict policy on plagiarism. Please refer to the website for more information on this policy.

Special consideration Policy (Late Submission)

All assessment tasks are required to be completed to a satisfactory level. If you are unable to complete any piece of assessment by the due date, you will need to apply for an extension.

Please refer to the following URL for extensions and special consideration:

http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=qkssnx1c5r0y;STATUS=A;PAGE_AUTHOR=Andrea%20Syers;SECTION=1 (unresolved);

An RTO needs to fit LLN into the delivery of its training and assessment as it has an important role in:

• redressing any deficiencies in its students’ key LLN skills
• building the generic skills of teamwork, communication and problem solving that are highly valued by employers.