Course Code: 845 AA
Course Duration: 1 year
Course Coordinator: Bernhard Sachs
Applications Close: 11/09/2009

Contents

Overview

A one year full time Postgraduate Diploma that enables students to further their practical and theoretical knowledge of Visual Art.

Description

This professional development program serves as a bridge between undergraduate study and independent art practice, as a “refresher” program for artists who have been away from formal study or as an entry point for mature artists who lack formal qualifications but have significant professional experience. It can also serve as an alternate route to study for a higher degree (for those of recognised ability but who have been unable, for whatever reason, to complete an honours year).

Semester 1   Points
755-827 Studio Practice 1 A 37.5
755-826 Theories of Art and Culture 1 A 12.5
Semester 2    
755-829 Studio Practice 1 B 37.5
755-828 Theories of Art and Culture 1 B 12.5

 

Objectives

The objectives of this course are to:

  • provide the opportunity to undertake further study in visual art;
  • create a climate which encourages creative speculation and experimentation;
  • encourage sound work practices;
  • promote critical reflection on the work produced and the artist's role in society;
  • prepare students so inclined for study for an MVA of MFA degree in visual art, and
  • encourage in students the development of the capacities required to operate as artists in the wider artistic community.
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Prerequisites

An undergraduate degree, in a relevant discipline with at least H2B (70%) in the major, or equivalent. Applicants, who do not meet the usual requirements but have documented, relevant professional experience may still be considered.

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Generic Skills

At the completion of the course or subject students should be able to:

  • exhibit extensive theoretical and practical knowledge of their discipline including relevant professional knowledge, skills, discipline and ethics as they relate to a practising visual artist;
  • demonstrate capacities for artistic imagination, creativity, transformation and interpretation;
  • demonstrate practical skills in respect of critical analysis, problem solving, report writing, team work and oral and written communication;
  • demonstrate an open, independent and inquiring attitude towards contemporary cultural developments and new ideas;
  • critically and creatively engage with topics of cultural significance across communities;
  • understand and appreciate how the visual arts connect with the broader society and contribute to its social and economic development;
  • understand their relationship with and responsibility to their cultural environment and society.
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Student Commitment

Two semesters (full time only). Students are provided with on-campus studios.

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Course Progression Guidelines

The maximum time permitted for completion of the course is two years full time.

The progress of a student shall be deemed to be unsatisfactory if the student:
a) fails to pass 50% of the total credit points in any semester;
or
b) obtains two successive fails in any one subject.

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Qualification for Award

The award of the Postgraduate Diploma in Visual Art requires the successful completion of the prescribed subjects and the gaining of a total score of 100 credit points.

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Subjects by Year

Year 1

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Subjects

Year 1

755-826
THEORIES OF ART AND CULTURE IA
Credit Points: 12.5
Coordinator: Edward Colless
Prerequisites: Nil
Contact hours: 2 hours per week (Semester 1)
Semester: Semester 1

Subject description:

A series of weekly seminars dealing with the examination of texts and works of art formative of contemporary critical practices. The course is run as a reading group and critical workshop. Discussion is focussed on critical methods and arguments demonstrated in the reading material and, according to opportunity, on current art exhibitions or events.

Assessment:

One written paper of 4,000 words, or equivalent (100%)

Time Commitment:

2 hours contact and 4 hours non-contact per week

Prescribed Texts:

TBA

Special Computer Requirements:

N/A

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755-827
STUDIO PRACTICE 1A
Credit Points: 37.5
Coordinator: Associate Professor Jon Cattapan
Prerequisites: Nil
Contact hours: 10 hours individual tutorials and 20 hours group tutorials per semester (Semester 1)
Semester: Semester 1

Subject description:

Students prepare a study proposal appropriate to their studio practice. The program should provide a conceptual framework for development and incorporate a study plan for acquisition of the skills necessary to realise the projected work. Students are encouraged to employ speculation and technical experimentation as learning strategies.

Guidance and assistance is provided through individual and group tutorials. Each student is assigned a supervisor who is responsible for oversighting his or her progress.

Individual Tutorials: provide the opportunity for one to one critical discussion with staff regarding the formal, conceptual, personal or expressive bases of the student's work and its realisation.

Group Tutorials: encourage critical discussion and debate in a peer group situation where the individual's work provides the starting point for consideration of a range of issues surrounding contemporary art practice.

Assessment:

Submission of a body of work which reflects the range of student activity throughout the semester and which demonstrates the student's conceptual ability; critical capacity; development of working methodologies; technical, manipulative and perceptual skills with particular regard to individual experimentation (100 %).

In order to be eligible for assessment a student must have attended a minimum of 80% of the scheduled Group Tutorials and presented work at least once in one of these tutorials.

Time Commitment:

10hrs indvid tutes + 20hrs grp tutes + 325hrs prac

Special Computer Requirements:

N/A

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755-828
THEORIES OF ART AND CULTURE 1B
Credit Points: 12.5
Coordinator: Edward Colless
Prerequisites: Nil
Contact hours: 2 hours per week (Semester 2)
Semester: Semester 2

Subject description:

A series of weekly seminars dealing with the interdisciplinary, theoretical examination of significant issues in contemporary culture. The course is run as a reading group and critical workshop. Discussion is focussed on theoretical issues demonstrated in the reading material and, according to opportunity, on theoretical issues arising from current art exhibitions or events.

Assessment:

One written paper of 4,000 words, or equivalent (100%)

Time Commitment:

2 hours contact and 4 hours non-contact per week

Prescribed Texts:

TBA

Special Computer Requirements:

N/A

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755-829
STUDIO PRACTICE 1B
Credit Points: 37.5
Coordinator: Associate Professor Jon Cattapan
Contact hours: 7 hours individual tutorials plus 20 hrs group/professional practice tutorials per semester (Sem 2)
Semester: Semester 2

Subject description:

Students prepare a refined study proposal appropriate to their studio practice. The program should provide a conceptual framework for development and incorporate a study plan for acquisition of the skills necessary to realise the projected work. Students are encouraged to consolidate visual experimentations and the conceptual framework in their developing practice.

Guidance and assistance is provided through individual and group tutorials. Each student is assigned a supervisor who is responsible for oversighting his or her progress.

Individual Tutorials: provides the opportunity for one to one critical discussion with staff regarding the formal, conceptual, personal or expressive bases of the student's work and its realisation.

Group Tutorials: encourages critical discussion and debate in a peer group situation where the individual's work provides the starting point for consideration of a range of issues surrounding contemporary art practice.

Professional Practice Tutorials: a series of discussions led by the Postgraduate Co-ordinator and invited speakers, to introduce students to the concepts and issues involved in conducting a practice in a professional and ethical manner.

Assessment:

Submission of a body of work which reflects the range of the student’s activity throughout the semester and which demonstrates the student's conceptual ability; critical judgement and refinement of working methodologies with particular regard to a coherent visual language and sense of professionalism. (100 %).

Together with the folio, the student must submit documentation of a representative selection of the year's work in the form of not less than fifteen and not more than twenty-four 35mm colour transparencies or a CD-Rom/DVD. Documentation to be retained by the School.

In order to be eligible for assessment a student must have attended a minimum of 80% of the scheduled Group Tutorials and presented work at least once in one of these tutorials. The student must also have attended 80% of the Professional Practice Tutorials.

Time Commitment:

7hrs indv tuts, 20 hrs grp/prof prac tuts + 325hrs

Special Computer Requirements:

N/A

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