FINEARTS 204 : Critical Studies

Creative Arts and Industries

2020 Semester Two (1205) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

A practice-led perspective to consider the key contexts and concepts relevant to contemporary art introduced in FINEARTS 104. Examines selected theoretical and philosophical terms, their broader cultural contexts, and their relevance for art-practice. Complements FINEARTS 207 and 208, by exploring art's dynamic relationship to the range of contexts and knowledge discussed, and the ways in which these relationships inform art's production and reception.

Course Overview

This core course in the BFA explores questions central to the operation of the studio critique and relevant to reflective practice generally: How do history, the history of ideas and the history of art matter to an artist? How can we engage most effectively, as creative practitioners, with the vast scope of everything we might know about in these fields?

The course surveys themes in contemporary art discourse, and uses the Whitechapel and MIT Press Documents of Contemporary Art series as a reference point in international practice. Through examining diverse artworks, information and ideas that connect to a selection of the themes it covers, we will develop our understanding of some general features of contemporary art and its institutions, and expertise in interpreting contemporary work. Our goal is to develop our abilities to articulate the meaning and value of artworks, and our sense of the potentials of these skills in creative practice.

The course aims to be inspiring and transformative for everyone in the class by acknowledging our diversity of interests and positions, and offering the chance for us to express these and learn from one another, at the same time that we challenge ourselves individually to enhance our skills and grow our knowledge as artists.

Delivery is via a weekly two hour class and one hour tutorial. The course is fully assessed by coursework. There are two assignments, as below, and no exam.

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: FINEARTS 101, 102, 103, 104 Corequisite: FINEARTS 201 or 202 or 207 or 208 or 209 or 212

Semester Availability

Semester One only

Course Co-ordinator

Jon Bywater <j.bywater@auckland.ac.nz>

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2: Critical Thinking
Capability 3: Solution Seeking
Capability 4: Communication and Engagement
Capability 5: Independence and Integrity
Capability 6: Social and Environmental Responsibilities
Graduate Profile: Bachelor of Fine Arts

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Apply research methodologies relevant to the written and spoken discourses which accompany the production of contemporary art (Capability 1.1, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3 and 6.1)
  2. Develop stuydents' knowledge of contemporary art and its historical lineages as relevant to studio practice (Capability 1.1, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.2, 4.1, 4.3 and 5.2)
  3. Understand some of the key theoretical and philosophical concepts relevant to contemporary art and its various historical lineages. (Capability 1.1, 1.3, 2.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3 and 5.2)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Assignments 100% Individual Coursework

Teaching & Learning Methods

Classes will be based in illustrated lectures that will include regular opportunities for questions and discussion that will in turn be extended in tutorials and in Canvas threads. Informal quizzes will be used to assist with revision and continuity between classes. A field trip to an art gallery and a guest presenter will connect the class to the professional art world. Tutorials will involve a blend of small group exercises, including in depth discussion of students' responses to art works and to readings as well as direct assistance with the two assignment tasks.

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect 2 hours of lectures, a 1 hour tutorial, 4 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 3 hours of work on assignments.

Digital Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website at http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page: https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter (https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html).

In the event of unexpected disruption

We undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions, the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. In the event of a disruption, the University and your course coordinators will make every effort to provide you with up to date information via Canvas and the University website.

Copyright Warning Notice

This material is protected by copyright and has been copied by and solely for the educational purposes of the University under license. You may not sell, alter or further reproduce or distribute any part of this course pack/material to any other person. Where provided to you in electronic format, you may only print from it for your own private study and research. Failure to comply with the terms of this warning may expose you to legal action for copyright infringement and/or disciplinary action by the University.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.

Published on 09/12/2019 09:39 a.m.