Bachelor of Fine Art (Honours)

Overview

A one year Honours year available after the completion of the Bachelor of Fine Art or equivalent. Students create a major studio project supported by a research paper.

Description

The BFA (Honours) is a more advanced and specialised course of study requiring a higher standard of performance than the pass degree. Candidates undertake a studio project and research paper and choose a major stream from the relevant disciplines including: Ceramics, Drawing, Painting, Photography, Printmaking and Sculpture.

Objectives

The objectives of this course are to:

• provide the opportunity for students of proven ability to undertake advanced work in the visual arts;
• develop a high level of studio practice and further develop analytical, critical and research skills;
• produce professional practitioners in the visual arts and crafts;
• develop the student’s capacities, as a better informed, skilled and more articulate visual artist;
• promote critical reflection on the work produced and the artist’s role in society;
• enable students to prepare themselves for research based postgraduate study.

Prerequisites

In order to qualify for admission to Honours fourth-year the applicant must have:

• satisfied the requirements for a pass degree
• completed a major study in a particular visual art discipline
• attained the appropriate standard in the major study

An appropriate standard is deemed to be H2B (70-74%) or above in all subjects undertaken, or equivalent.

Candidates for entry into the Honours year will be selected after attending an interview which they will present a folio of their current work. Selection will be based on the interview, folio presentation, previous results and the suitability of the research project in terms of resource availability. At the time of application candidates are required to provide the research project/paper topic and an outline of the goals of the project.

Applicants who do not meet the minimum threshold requirement for admission to Honours year will require the approval of the course coordinator based on advice from the relevant head of department and proposed supervisor before being admitted and allowed to enrol in the Honours year.

Normally commencement of Honours study must occur within five years of the completion of the pass degree. Exceptions will require the approval of the course coordinator based on advice from the relevant head of department and the supervisor.

Entry into Honours year will be at the commencement of the academic year. In certain circumstances candidates applying for admission from outside Victoria will be offered the option of a telephone interview after the receipt of the folio.

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 a flexible and innovative approach to the national and international challenges for the professional visual artist in the 21st century;
• 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.

Student Commitment

The Bachelor of Fine Art (Honours) course is a full time study course and students are required to attend for at least 80% of the time in order to avoid difficulties in meeting the requirements of the course.

Assessment

With the completion of semester 2, candidates present their studio work for examination. They also submit a 5,000 to 7,000 word research paper, as developed from the shorter, draft version submitted at the end of semester 1.

Assessment is based on the examination of the studio project (80%) with the final research paper (20%).

The examination panel is drawn from the candidate's supervisor (or nominee), the Honours Coordinator (or nominee), the Head of History and Theory (or nominee) and an assessor external to the school.

Course Progression Guidelines

After the completion of semester 1, a progress review will be conducted by a panel comprising the supervisor (or nominee), the Honours Coordinator (or nominee) and the Head of History and Theory (or nominee). This panel will review the development of the studio project and the quality of the first draft of the research paper.

Qualification for Award

In order to complete requirements the candidate must attain 100 credit points at fourth year level at the appropriate grade level.

Candidates who satisfactorily fulfil the foregoing requirements and are deemed by examiners to have attained a standard of third class Honours level or above may be admitted to the degree of Bachelor of Fine Art (Honours).

Subjects by Year

Year 4

• 755-415 - Studio Project and Research Paper

Subjects

Year 4

Subject description:

Semester 1

The written outline of the proposed project and working methodology is to be submitted at the time of selection. This proposal will determine the expected direction and outcomes. Candidates undertake their studio work and appropriate research under the guidance of their supervisor.

Candidates also attend two weekly seminar series that deal with research methods and with theoretical studies. Within these seminars, candidates present their Honours proposal (detailing the proposed studio work and its research investigation) for critical discussion and evaluation. Candidates also consider and review various approaches to, and aspects of, research. Critique sessions for work-in-progress are scheduled for later in this semester. Regular attendance and involvement is required.

Any variation to a candidate's Honours proposal throughout the year should only occur after consultation and agreement with their supervisor, the Honours Coordinator and Head of History and Theory.

At the end of semester 1, a 3,000 word draft of the research paper will be submitted to the candidate's supervisor and to the Head of History and Theory. This paper will be considered as a first stage of the final research paper, and should demonstrate attention to the candidate's research method as well as present some theoretical consideration of their artistic project.

Semester 2

The studio work and appropriate research continues under the guidance of the candidate's supervisor.

Candidates also attend a weekly seminar in which they will present their research investigation in progress, and a weekly critique in class of studio projects in progress. Regular attendance and involvement is required.

The research paper must be completed by the second week in October and the studio project completed by the end of October.

Subject Handout:
Studio Project and Research Project handout

Assessment:

With the completion of Semester 2, candidates present their studio work for examination. They also submit a 5,000 to 7,000 word research paper, as developed from the shorter, draft version submitted at the end of Semester 1.

Assessment is based on the examination of the studio project (80%) with the final research paper (20%).

The examination panel is drawn from the candidate's supervisor (or nominee), the Head of Studio (or nominee), the Honours Coordinator (or nominee), the Head of History and Theory (or nominee) and an assessor external to the School.

Time Commitment:

30 hours per week (All year)

Prescribed Texts:

This varies according to the individual's research project.
Additional reading or references: As above