FINEARTS 242 : Image, Object and Materiality: What is an Image?
Creative Arts and Industries
2025 Semester One (1253) (30 POINTS)
Course Prescription
Course Overview
The course provides the opportunity for students to explore how images can be reassembled and repurposed today. A variety of image-making strategies using different media are positioned conscious of the digital circulation of images. The course considers different cultural approaches to the generation and material treatment of images, especially from the position of Aotearoa New Zealand. A deeper understanding of these critical perspectives aims to support students’ interdisciplinary studio skills and knowledge-based learning.
Capabilities Developed in this Course
| Capability 1: | People and Place |
| Capability 2: | Sustainability |
| Capability 3: | Knowledge and Practice |
| Capability 4: | Critical Thinking |
| Capability 5: | Solution Seeking |
| Capability 6: | Communication |
| Capability 7: | Collaboration |
| Capability 8: | Ethics and Professionalism |
Learning Outcomes
- Develop skills in generating, exploring and understanding a range of material affects in relation to image making practices through the production of studio work. (Capability 2, 3, 5 and 6)
- Articulate and demonstrate a working knowledge of studio materials being handled and meaning effects produced. (Capability 2 and 4)
- Develop and demonstrate research skills across a range of material, conceptual and contextual methods and apply these methods to studio production and an exploratory research portfolio. (Capability 4, 6 and 7)
- Identify relevant local and global art practices and current sustainability issues and debates in the field. (Capability 1, 2 and 8)
- Demonstrate skills in critical and reflexive dialogue in the field of image production. (Capability 4, 7 and 8)
Assessments
| Assessment Type | Percentage | Classification |
|---|---|---|
| Studio presentation | 30% | Individual Coursework |
| Reading presentation | 20% | Individual Coursework |
| Creative works | 50% | Individual Coursework |
| 3 types | 100% |
| Assessment Type | Learning Outcome Addressed | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | ||||||
| Studio presentation | ||||||||||
| Reading presentation | ||||||||||
| Creative works | ||||||||||
Students are expected to submit work for/participate in all three assignments in order to pass the course.
Teaching & Learning Methods
Project-centred learning is used to support the development of students’ creative working practices. Based in kanohi ki te kanohi environments, dialogue sits at the centre, creating opportunities to share diverse perspectives, knowledge and concepts. A broad range of methods are used across studio, workshop and digital spaces including: individual projects, small group feedback sessions, presentations, seminars, readings, guest speakers, gallery visits.
Workload Expectations
Delivery Mode
Campus Experience
Attendance is expected at scheduled activities including studio and workshop activities to complete components of the course. Attendance on campus is required for studio presentations. The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.
Learning 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.
Students are expected to supply their own journals for technical notes and developmental drawings. Tools and equipment essential to instruction are provided. Beyond the point of initial instruction, students are expected to provide materials.
Health & Safety
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.
No major changes were recommended. However, it was requested that there was a clearer timetabling distinction between Assignment 2 and 3 (including considering the semester break) as some students struggled with management of overlapping assignments.
Other Information
Students may wish to set up image sharing platforms using social media. If that is the case students are expected to follow University and Elam guidelines on respectful and inclusive behaviour with each other, in person and by email, Zoom or other communication methods.
Academic Integrity
The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework, tests and examinations 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. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against electronic source material using computerised detection mechanisms. Upon reasonable request, students may be required to provide an electronic version of their work for computerised review.
Students should not present work produced by generative AI tools (e.g. ChatGPT, DALL.E 2) for assessments without the approval of the Course Director. Where AI tools have been approved for use students must follow the instructions given.
Class Representatives
Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.
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.
Requests for extensions of time must be submitted and approved using the online Extension of Time Application form available on Canvas. Students should notify the Course Director/Course Coordinator of their situation as soon as practicable, and preferably before any due date. Notifications received after an assessment due date will be accepted, where this is reasonable, within the context of the course. If possible, students are encouraged to seek medical, counselling or other support from the most appropriate sources.
Learning Continuity
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.