FINEARTS 204 : Critical Studies

Creative Arts and Industries

2021 Semester Two (1215) (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

FINEARTS 204 is relevant to studio practice by being centered on the questions: 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 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.

The course surveys themes in contemporary art discourse, and uses the Documents of Contemporary Art series as a reference point. By examining diverse artworks, information, and ideas connected to these themes, 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 artwork and our sense of these skills' potentials in creative practice.

Course Requirements

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

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
Graduate Profile: Bachelor of Fine Arts

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Extend students’ knowledge of contemporary art and its historical lineages as relevant to studio practice (Capability 1.3)
  2. Develop students’ knowledge and understanding of distinctive themes, ideas and movements which have helped shape the field of contemporary art (Capability 1.3, 2.1 and 2.3)
  3. Demonstrate an understanding of of some of the key theoretical and philosophical concepts relevant to contemporary art and its various historical lineages
  4. identify and apply aspects of tikanga Māori as it relates to the production of contemporary art (Capability 4.1 and 5.1)
  5. Use a range of research methodologies relevant to the written and spoken discourses which accompany the production of contemporary art (Capability 2.1, 3.2 and 5.2)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Assignments 40% Individual Coursework
Assignments 60% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5
Assignments
Assignments

Teaching & Learning Methods

Critical Studies will be delivered through one class per week, and one one hour tutorial.

Lectures will be recorded and available on Canvas under 'Recordings'.

Outside these timetabled hours, then, you will need to plan to spend at least seven hours per week on self-directed work.

The tutorial groups give you the opportunity to learn more actively than in the lecture setting. You will get a chance to share your responses to the course materials, offer answers to other people’s questions, ask your own of others, and in so doing test and grow your ability to express your understandings. Like active note taking, this will move you from the more private, passive space of listening and reading towards a shared space of communication, which is great preparation for the written assignments as well as a proven way to deepen your understanding. As well as work on the lecture material week by week, each assignment will be directly supported by tutorial exercises.

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, 3 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 4 hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation.

Delivery Mode

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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 30/11/2020 11:38 a.m.