This course will critically examine how social, artistic and historical change shaped visual art and curating in the modern and contemporary periods. Beginning in the late-nineteenth century, the course will cover key artistic and social movements including (but not limited to) post-Impressionism, Cubism, Dada, Surrealism, Abstract Expressionism, Pop Art, Conceptual Art, Feminist and Queer artistic practices, as well as contemporary art and curatorial practices today. It will explore the impacts of globalisation, technological change, and the development of modern cultural institutions on the creation, dissemination and interpretation of modern and contemporary art. Field trips to Canberra galleries and museums will enable students to see key examples of the art that they are learning about in person; and guest lectures from local artists and curators will allow students to learn about these histories and practices within specifically Australian contexts.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- identify and apply the principal methodologies of art history and curatorial studies;
- critically analyse the visual, historical and theoretical aspects of a broad range of visual culture in the modern period;
- identify major cultural themes and historical paths in modern and contemporary art and design;
- research and access information about art history and theory; and
- present written and oral arguments about the ideas that inform art and design from a wide range of periods and cultures.
Other Information
This course will involve occasional field trips to galleries and museums in Canberra.
Indicative Assessment
- Exhibition Review or Artwork/Collection Analysis (1000 words) (25) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
- Research essay (2000 words) (40) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
- Take-home test (1000 words) (25) [LO 1,2,5]
- Participation (10) [LO 1,2,3,5]
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
130 hours of total student learning time made up from:
a) 36 hours of contact over 12 weeks: 24 hours of lectures (lectures, panels, group activities), and 12 hours of tutorials; and
b) 94 hours of independent student research, reading and writing.
Contact hours may include visits to art galleries, museums and collection on ANU campus and in Canberra.
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
None
Preliminary Reading
Archer, Michael, Art since 1960 (London; New York: Thames & Hudson, London, 1997).
Broude, Norma (ed.), World Impressionism (New York: Harry N. Abrams Inc. Publishers, 1990).
Clark, John, Modern Asian Art (Sydney; Honolulu: Fine Art Press; University of Hawaii Press, 1998).
Foster, Hal et al Art After 1900: Modernism, Antimodernism, Postmodernism (London: Thames and Hudson, 2004).
Harrison, Charles & Paul Wood (eds), Art in theory: 1900-2000: An Anthology of Changing Ideas, 2nd ed. (Oxford: Blackwell Publishing, 2009).
Highmore, Ben, The Design Culture Reader (London: Routledge, 2009).
Smith, Terry, What is Contemporary Art? (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2011).
Stephen, Ann, Andrew McNamara, and Philip Goad (eds.) Modernism & Australia: Documents on Art, Design and Architecture 1917-1967 (Carlton: The Miegunyah Press, 2007).
McLean, Ian Rattling Spears: A History of Indigenous Australian Art (London: Reaktion, 2106) .
Wood, Paul (ed.), The Challenge of the Avant-Garde (New Haven & London: Yale University Press, 1999)
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 14
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2027 | $4620 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2027 | $6000 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
Second Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9712 | 26 Jul 2027 | 02 Aug 2027 | 31 Aug 2027 | 29 Oct 2027 | In Person | N/A |