FINEARTS 210G : Understanding Contemporary Visual Arts Practice
Creative Arts and Industries
2020 Summer School (1200) (15 POINTS)
Course Prescription
Course Overview
Course Description
How does the contemporary art world work? This course presents perspectives on contemporary artistic practices, milieu, and institutions. The course involves active exploration of the local art scene. This includes visits to galleries, and guest presentations from artists, curators, gallerists and critics. The overarching premise for this paper is there are many contemporary art worlds, not just a single art world, and we will explore the many practices and spaces that constitute these. No prior knowledge or experience of contemporary art is assumed.
Teaching Aims
The aims of this course are to:
1. Develop your understanding of contemporary artists’ methodologies and the institutional structure of the art worlds that surround them.
2. Encourage you to explore contemporary art in a gallery setting.
3. Increase your capacity to read critically and analytically in secondary sources about contemporary art.
4. Develop your formal writing skills in relation to contemporary artistic practices.
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 |
Learning Outcomes
- Research and participate in contemporary art practices. (Capability 1, 2, 3 and 5)
- Discuss examples of practitioners’ methodologies and areas of investigation. (Capability 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6)
Assessments
| Assessment Type | Percentage | Classification |
|---|---|---|
| Assignment | 40% | Individual Coursework |
| Essay | 60% | Individual Coursework |
| 2 types | 100% |
| Assessment Type | Learning Outcome Addressed | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | |||||||||
| Assignment | ||||||||||
| Essay | ||||||||||
.
Pass Requirements
Teaching & Learning Methods
Learning Resources
You can find the required and recommended texts in the course Reading Lists in Canvas. Guidelines for using the Reading Lists are included in the Description of Assessment Tasks in the Course Outline and in the assignment descriptions in Canvas.
Workload Expectations
As a 15 point course there are 150 hours of learning inclusive of class contact time. For this Summer School course, you can expect 24 contact hours, 40 hours of preparatory reading, and 86 hours of self-directed study over the six week semester.
Other Information
Attendance, Participation and Mutual Respect
Attendance in class as well as engagement with course activities and readings supports academic success, therefore it is strongly recommended that students make every effort to attend class and complete all the necessary in-class requirements.
We expect that students will arrive on time, prepared to listen and participate as appropriate, and to stay for the duration of a class rather than drift in or out casually. In short, we anticipate that students will show teachers, speakers and fellow students maximum consideration by minimising the disturbances that cause interruptions in the learning process. This means that punctuality is a must and that cell phones be turned off.
Please do not use electronic devices in class unless they are in the service of your note taking or in-class writing. Let’s do our best to speak directly to one another and support this collegial environment.
Throughout the semester, we may read texts that introduce complex, diverse, and even controversial subjects. I want this class to be a space in which we all feel safe and comfortable to share our thoughts, ideas, and opinions. I want each of you to remember at all times that your thoughts and ideas are important and valuable. You are writers and scholars. One of the goals of a university is to challenge us to apply pressure about what we know (and all that we don’t know). I will never ask you to change your mind, but I will expect it will remain open in this course. That being said, disrespectful or inappropriate comments will not be tolerated in this classroom.
Use of Canvas
Announcements will be made via Canvas, please ensure you regularly check your University email address. Classes will be recorded and available in Canvas 72 hours after the class, apart from guest speakers who will have the option to be recorded and gallery visits which are unable to be recorded.
English Language Enrichment (ELE)
ELE offers a range of services for students who use English as an additional language and all students who may need to improve their academic writing. These services include: language-focussed online resources, a variety of speaking groups, a series of Writing in English workshops focussed on grammar aspects and academic writing, and one-to-one language advice (drop-in advisory). See their website http://www.library.auckland.ac.nz/ele/. The ELE and other related services and resources can be found in the document titled “Where to go for help with your academic development” in the Files in Canvas.
Academic Integrity Course
The University’s online Academic Integrity Course is an essential resource designed to increase student knowledge of academic integrity, university rules relating to academic conduct, and the identification and consequences of academic misconduct. The course is for all students and includes essential information on how to use and acknowledge the work of others in your assignments. Find the course at https://www.academicintegrity.auckland.ac.nz/
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.