Overview
In this unit, you will be introduced to common themes in international visual art practices since the 1980s. You will examine prominent critical and cultural theory and reflect on the ongoing influence of these discourses on visual arts production and criticism. In this unit, you will also explore issues of identity and cultural imperialism in recent and contemporary artworks of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the works of artists from the Asia-Pacific region.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
There are no requisites for this unit.
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 1 - 2021
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes - in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of 'pass' in order to pass the unit. If any 'pass/fail' tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully ('pass' grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the 'assessment task' section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback - Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from Student evaluation.
Overall this was a well structured and extremely well taught unit.
The current structure of this unit will be retained for 2021 iteration.
Feedback from Student evaluation
The assessment tasks and unit content were all very useful in helping my own practice as an emerging visual artist.
The current structure and content of this unit will be retained for 2021 iteration.
- Conduct focused research and develop context specific knowledge to inform and share opinions in appropriate written styles
- Identify and apply a range of concepts from critical theory and cultural studies to a discreet selection of late twentieth century and contemporary Australian, Asian and Pacific visual art practices.
Not applicable.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | |
| 1 - Annotated bibliography - 25% | ||
| 2 - Research Assignment - 40% | ||
| 3 - In-class Test(s) - 35% | ||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | |
| 1 - Communication | ||
| 2 - Problem Solving | ||
| 3 - Critical Thinking | ||
| 4 - Information Literacy | ||
| 5 - Team Work | ||
| 6 - Information Technology Competence | ||
| 7 - Cross Cultural Competence | ||
| 8 - Ethical practice | ||
| 9 - Social Innovation | ||
| 10 - First Nations Knowledges | ||
| 11 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | ||
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes
| Assessment Tasks | Graduate Attributes | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | |
| 1 - Annotated bibliography - 25% | |||||||||||
| 2 - Research Assignment - 40% | |||||||||||
| 3 - In-class Test(s) - 35% | |||||||||||
Textbooks
There are no required textbooks.
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: American Psychological Association 7th Edition (APA 7th edition)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
p.connor@cqu.edu.au
Week 1. The End of Art History.
Begin Date: 08 Mar 2021Module/Topic
The End of Art History.
Chapter
- Read: week 1 Study Guide: The End of Art History.
- View: your other week 1 Learning Resources.
- Complete: your week 1 Learning Activities.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Topic:
The 'end of art history', the 'end of modern art'.
Week 2. Globalism and Cultural Studies.
Begin Date: 15 Mar 2021Module/Topic
Globalism and Cultural Studies.
Chapter
- Read: week 2 Study Guide: Globalism and Cultural Studies.
- Read: pages 13 -23 of primary text: Robertson. J, Mc Daniel. C. (2017) Themes of Contemporary Art: Visual Art after 1980 (fourth edition), New York: Oxford University Press. (A spectrum of voices emerges - Theory flexes its muscles).
- View: your other week 2 Learning Resources.
- Complete: your week 2 Learning Activities.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Topics:
- Globalisation
- Critical theory, cultural studies and contemporary visual arts practices.
Week 3. Ideology.
Begin Date: 22 Mar 2021Module/Topic
Ideology. What might a contemporary, critical view of ideology look like?
Chapter
- Read: week 3 Study Guide: Ideology.
- Read: page 204 of primary text: Robertson. J, Mc Daniel. C. (2017) Themes of Contemporary Art: Visual Art after 1980 (fourth edition), New York: Oxford University Press. (official and excluded histories - Foucault)
- View: your other week 3 Learning Resources.
- Complete: your week 3 Learning Activities.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Topics:
- Ideology, Power, Hegemony
- The Frankfurt School
- Colonialism and Post-colonialism
- Capitalism and globalism
- Derrida and 'deconstruction'.
Artists investigated:
• Michael Cook
• Daniel Boyd
• Fiona Foley
• Greg Semu.
Week 4. Identity.
Begin Date: 29 Mar 2021Module/Topic
Identity. What is identity and how is it constructed?
Chapter
- Read: week 4 Study Guide: Identity.
- Read: pages 55 - 82 of primary text: Robertson. J, Mc Daniel. C. (2017) Themes of Contemporary Art: Visual Art after 1980 (fourth edition), New York: Oxford University Press.
- View: your other week 4 Learning Resources.
- Complete: your week 4 Learning Activities.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Topics:
- Gender, race, sexuality
- Identity politics and 'otherness'.
Artists investigated:
- Will Wilson
- Judy Watson
- Gordon Bennett.
Week 5. The Body
Begin Date: 05 Apr 2021Module/Topic
The Body. Why has the body become a site for investigation by cultural theorists and artists?
Chapter
- Read: pages 99 - 130 of primary text: Robertson. J, Mc Daniel. C. (2017) Themes of Contemporary Art: Visual Art after 1980 (fourth edition), New York: Oxford University Press.
- View: your other week 5 Learning Resources.
- Complete: your week 5 Learning Activities.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Topics:
- Mass media and gender representations
- The body as a sign
- 'The gaze' and the sexualised body
- fluid identities
- the beautiful and the grotesque.
Artists investigated:
- Cindy Sherman
- Jenny Saville
- Ah Xian
- Mike Parr
- Julie Brown Rrap.
Vacation Week
Begin Date: 12 Apr 2021Module/Topic
NA
Chapter
NA
Events and Submissions/Topic
NA
Week 6. Time.
Begin Date: 19 Apr 2021Module/Topic
Time. How does the abstract concept of time effect our notions of self?
Chapter
- Read: pages 144 - 169 of primary text: Robertson. J, Mc Daniel. C. (2017) Themes of Contemporary Art: Visual Art after 1980 (fourth edition), New York: Oxford University Press.
- View: Your other week 6 Learning Resources.
- Complete: your week 6 Learning Activities.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Topics:
- Time as an element of design
- Linear and non-linear concepts of time.
- Relationship with other themes explored (memory, the body).
Artists investigated:
- Joseph Beuys
- Christian Marclay
- William Kentridge
- Shaun Gladwell.
Week 7. Memory
Begin Date: 26 Apr 2021Module/Topic
Memory. How are time, memory and history interrelated?
Chapter
- Read: week 7 Study Guide: Memory.
- Read: pages 181 - 213 of primary text: Robertson. J, Mc Daniel. C. (2017) Themes of Contemporary Art: Visual Art after 1980 (fourth edition), New York: Oxford University Press.
- View: your other week 7 Learning Resources.
- Complete: your week 7 Learning Activities.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Topics:
- The unreliability of memory
- cultural memory
- Oral histories and their relationship with visual cultural traditions.
Artists investigated:
- Louise Bourgeois
- Bill Namiayangwa
- Ramingining Artists (Memorial)
- Atul Dodiya
- Ai Weiwei.
Submission:
Submit Assessment 1: Annotated Bibliography. (Due: Friday 30th April, 11:45 pm AEST.)
Annotated Bibliography. Due: Week 7 Friday (30 Apr 2021) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 8. Place.
Begin Date: 03 May 2021Module/Topic
Place. How do places effect our sense of self?
Chapter
- Read: pages 277 - 261 of primary text: Robertson. J, Mc Daniel. C. (2017) Themes of Contemporary Art: Visual Art after 1980 (fourth edition), New York: Oxford University Press.
- View: your other week 8 Learning Resources.
- Complete: your week 8 Learning Activities.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Topics:
- Place and identity construction
- Place as physical space and cultural space
- Natural and architectural spaces
- public, and private spaces
- real and virtual spaces.
Artists investigated:
- Ian Smith
- Emily Kame Kngwarreye
- Ron McBurnie
- Jan Senbergs
- Khvay Samnang.
Week 9 - Language.
Begin Date: 10 May 2021Module/Topic
Language. Why is the written word a common feature of contemporary visual art practice?
Chapter
- Read: pages 277 - 309 of primary text: Robertson. J, Mc Daniel. C. (2017) Themes of Contemporary Art: Visual Art after 1980 (fourth edition), New York: Oxford University Press.
- View: your other week 9 Learning Resources.
- Complete: your week 9 Learning Activities.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Topics:
- Post-structuralism and the 'linguistic turn'
- The ubiquity of art and text.
Artists investigated:
- Joseph Kosuth
- Jenny Holzer
- Bea Maddock
- Christian Thompson
- STAB
- Parastou Forouhar.
Week 10. Science and Technology.
Begin Date: 17 May 2021Module/Topic
Science and Technology. How does science and technology continue to shape who we are? How might contemporary artists explore these changes?
Chapter
- Read: pages 323 - 354 of primary text: Robertson. J, Mc Daniel. C. (2017) Themes of Contemporary Art: Visual Art after 1980 (fourth edition), New York: Oxford University Press.
- View: your other week 10 Learning Resources.
- Complete: your week 10 Learning Activities.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Topics:
- Technology and civilisation
- Art/Science hybrid artforms.
- Bioart
- Transhumanism.
Artists investigated:
- Stelarc
- Orlan
- Patricia Picinini
- Jeffrey Shaw
- John Young.
Week 11. Spirituality.
Begin Date: 24 May 2021Module/Topic
Spirituality. The arts and spirituality have always been aligned.How might
contemporary visual arts serve the need to confirm or challenge worldviews
and seek transcendence.
Chapter
- Read: pages 365 - 399 of primary text: Robertson. J, Mc Daniel. C. (2017)Themes of Contemporary Art: Visual Art after 1980 (fourth edition), New York: Oxford University Press.
- View: your other week 11 Learning Resources.
- Complete: your week 11 Learning Activities.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Topics:
- Secular and Non-secular faith (spirituality, culture and the individual)
- Death and transcendence.
Artists investigated:
- Bill Viola
- Tim Johnson
- Andres Serrano
- Rosella Namok
- Alick Tipoti
- Clifford Possum Tjapaltjarri
Submission:
Submit Assessment 2 - Written Assessment. (Due: Friday 28th May, 11:45 pm AEST.)
Written Assessment. Due: Week 11 Friday (28 May 2021) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 12. Review
Begin Date: 31 May 2021Module/Topic
Chapter
Review: your Study Guides and Learning Resources, weeks 1-12.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Review/Exam Week
Begin Date: 07 Jun 2021Module/Topic
- Review your Study Guides and related Learning Resources in preparation for Assessment 3 - In class test.
- Sit In-class test. (Wed. 9th June, 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm)
Chapter
Review: your Study Guides and Learning Resources, weeks 1-12.
Events and Submissions/Topic
- Review: of Study Guides and related Learning Resources in preparation for Assessment 3 - In class test.
- Sit: In-class test. (Wed. 9th June, 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm)
In- class test. Due: Review/Exam Week Wednesday (9 June 2021) 2:00 pm AEST
Exam Week
Begin Date: 14 Jun 2021Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Copies of the text: Robertson. J, McDaniel. C. (2017). Themes of Contemporary Art: Visual Art after 1980 (fourth edition), New York: Oxford University Press can be purchased from the CQU Bookshop (Rockhampton North Campus), or borrowed from the CQU Library (Rockhampton City Campus).
1 Annotated bibliography
Weighting: 25%.
Length: 1000-1500 words.
Due Date/Time: Week 7; 11:45 pm Friday, (AEST)
Task Description:
For this assessment you will develop and submit an annotated bibliography. This bibliography will list 10 quality sources which will directly inform the development of your written assignment (Assessment 2).
Your annotated bibliography will include:
- 5 books (hard copy, online or e-books)
- 5 academic or industry journal articles (ArtAsiaPacific, Art and Australia, Art Monthly and Imprint can be accessed through the CQUniversity library).
- Each listed book or article will be accompanied with a 100 - 150 word statement, summarising the relevance of this resource to the research topic.
The annotated bibliography will not include websites or articles where no author is noted.
The research topic for Assignment 2 is:
For this written assessment you will select one significant international visual artist and one significant Australian or Asia/Pacific artist, both of whom may be identified as working within one of the contemporary themes identified in this unit. Using critical/ cultural theory, relevant semiotic terminology, and the informed opinion of authoritative writers and reviewers, compare and contrast a major work by each selected artist.
Week 7 Friday (30 Apr 2021) 11:45 pm AEST
Please submit your assessment via your Moodle site, being sure to attach a copy of the Assessment 1 criteria marking sheet, with both your name and student number included.
Week 9 Friday (14 May 2021)
Assessment results and feedback provided via Moodle.
1. Quantity of sources. (10%)
2. Quality/reliability of sources. (20%)
3. Writing fluency of annotations. (25%)
4. Variety of sources. (20%)
5. Adherence to APA style guidelines. (25%)
- Conduct focused research and develop context specific knowledge to inform and share opinions in appropriate written styles
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Information Technology Competence
- Ethical practice
2 Research Assignment
Weighting: 40% weighting
Length: 2000 -2500 words
Due Date/Time: Week 11, Friday, by 11:45 pm (AEST).
Task: For this written assessment task you will select one critically acknowledged international visual artist and one critically acknowledged Australian or Asia/Pacific artist, both of whom may be identified as working within one of the contemporary themes identified in this unit. Using critical/cultural theory, relevant semiotic terminology and the informed opinions of authoritative writers and reviewers, compare and contrast a major work by each selected artist.
Please use APA (7th edition) referencing for this assessment.
Assignment format:
- Use 12-point Times New Roman font for the body of the essay.
- 1.5 spacing throughout
- You may use sub-headings if you wish to organise your assignment. These may be in a different colour or different size font.
- Include in-text references (citations) throughout the assignment.
- Include your name and student number in the header of the document.
- Include page numbers in the footer of the document.
- Include a Reference List at the end of the assignment in APA style, 7th edition.
- You should have a minimum of 15 references for this assignment
- Do NOT cite from Wikipedia or other websites that do not have an acknowledged author.
- Include in your reference list, all images of artworks included in your paper, Youtube sources, as well as books and academic journal articles.
NB: WORD COUNT for written assignments:
The word count is considered from the first word of the introduction to the last word of the conclusion. It excludes the cover page, abstract, contents page, reference page and appendices. It includes in-text references and direct quotations.
Week 11 Friday (28 May 2021) 11:45 pm AEST
Assessment 2 - Written Assessment should be submitted via Moodle, along with the Marking Criteria Sheet for this assessment.
Review/Exam Week Monday (7 June 2021)
Feedback provided via Moodle.
1. Evidence of research and integration of theoretical perspectives. (25%0
2. Structure. (10%)
3. Writing standard. (25%)
4. Attention to requirements of task. (25%)
5. Referencing. (15%)
- Conduct focused research and develop context specific knowledge to inform and share opinions in appropriate written styles
- Identify and apply a range of concepts from critical theory and cultural studies to a discreet selection of late twentieth century and contemporary Australian, Asian and Pacific visual art practices.
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Information Technology Competence
- Cross Cultural Competence
- Ethical practice
3 In-class Test(s)
Complete an in-class written test by responding to a series of questions using short-answer responses (Part A) and short analytical descriptions (Part B). This test will be based on the learning materials associated with the weekly themes used in this unit. This is not an open-book test.
When: Wednesday, 9th June. The test will begin at 2:00 PM.
Duration: 2 Hours.
Review/Exam Week Wednesday (9 June 2021) 2:00 pm AEST
The in-class test is not an open-book exam. Please arrive ten minutes early with a pencil, eraser and a ball-point pen.
Exam Week Friday (18 June 2021)
Results available via Moodle.
1. Accuracy of responses. (50%)
2. Depth of treatment/insight of responses. (25%)
3. Application of theoretical perspectives and use of appropriate terminology. (25%)
- Identify and apply a range of concepts from critical theory and cultural studies to a discreet selection of late twentieth century and contemporary Australian, Asian and Pacific visual art practices.
- Communication
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Cross Cultural Competence
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
