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 contemporary artworks from Australia's First Nations artists and 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 - 2026
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 Unit Coordinator
Unit expectations, including assessment requirements, require revision to enhance clarity
Unit assessment descriptions will be reviewed to identify opportunities for enhancement.
- Conduct focused research to develop context specific knowledge to inform and share opinions in appropriate written styles
- Identify and apply concepts from critical theory and cultural studies to a discreet selection of late twentieth century and contemporary Australian, Asian or Pacific visual art practices.
Not applicable.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | |
| 1 - Annotated bibliography - 50% | ||
| 2 - Written Assessment - 50% | ||
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 | ||
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: 09 Mar 2026Module/Topic
The 'end' of art history and the collapse of modern art.
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 as linear progress and the collapse of modern art.
Week 2. Globalism and Cultural Studies.
Begin Date: 16 Mar 2026Module/Topic
Globalism, globalisation and a brief history of cultural studies.
Chapter
- Read: week 2 Study Guide: Globalism and Cultural Studies.
- View: your other week 2 Learning Resources.
- Complete: your week 2 Learning Activities.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Topics:
- Globalisation.
- Globalism.
- Cultural studies and critical theory
- Cultural studies and contemporary visual arts practices.
Week 3. Ideology.
Begin Date: 23 Mar 2026Module/Topic
Ideology.
(What might a contemporary, critical view of ideology look like?)
Chapter
- Read: week 3 Study Guide: Ideology.
- 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
Week 4. Identity.
Begin Date: 30 Mar 2026Module/Topic
Identity.
(What is 'identity' and how is it constructed?)
Chapter
- Read: week 4 Study Guide: Identity.
- 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. Contemporaneity.
Begin Date: 06 Apr 2026Module/Topic
Contemporaneity.
(What are the conditions to which contemporary artists respond?)
Chapter
- Read: Week 5 Study Guide: Contemporaneity.
- View: your other week 5 Learning Resources.
- Complete: your week 5 Learning Activities.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Topics:
- Smith's contemporaneity.
- temporality.
- transnationalism.
- cosmopolitanism.
- worlding, placemaking and world-picturing.
- the 'planetary turn'.
Artists investigated:
- Niloufar Lovegrove.
- Vipoo Srivilasa.
- Lee Paje.
- Pala Pothupitiye.
Week 6. The Body.
Begin Date: 13 Apr 2026Module/Topic
The Body.
(Why has the body become such an important site for critical theorists and visual artists?)
Chapter
- Read: Your week 6 Study Guide: The Body.
- View: Your week 6 Learning Resources.
- Complete: your week 6 Learning Activities.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Topics:
- Mass media and gender representations.
- Body theory.
- The body as a sign.
- 'The gaze' and the sexualised body.
- Fluid identities
- The beautiful and the grotesque.
- The 'Abject'.
Artists investigated:
- Cindy Sherman
- Jenny Saville
- Ah Xian
- Mike Parr
- Julie Brown Rrap
Vacation Week
Begin Date: 20 Apr 2026Module/Topic
NA
Chapter
NA
Events and Submissions/Topic
NA
Week 7. Time & Memory
Begin Date: 27 Apr 2026Module/Topic
Time and memory.
(How does the abstract concept of time effect our notions of self? Why are recollections of subjective experiences and cultural memory important to contemporary artists?)
Chapter
- Read: week 7 Study Guide: Time & Memory.
- View: your other week 7 Learning Resources.
- Complete: your week 7 Learning Activities.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Topics:
Time:
- Time as an element of design.
- Linear and non-linear concepts of time.
- Temporality.
Memory:
- The unreliability of memory.
- Cultural memory.
- Oral histories and their. relationship with visual cultural traditions.
- Creating empathy or relatedness.
- Reflecting on individual and shared experiences.
Artists investigated:
Time:
- Christian Marclay
- William Kentridge
- Shaun Gladwell
Memory:
- Louise Bourgeois
- Bill Namiayangwa
- Ramingining Artists (Memorial)
- Christian Boltanski
Annotated Bibliography Due: Week 7 Friday (1 May 2026) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 8
Begin Date: 04 May 2026Module/Topic
Place.
(How do places effect our sense of self?)
Chapter
- Read: Week 8 Study Guide: Place.
- View: your other week 8 Learning Resources.
- Complete: your week 8 Learning Activities.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Topics:
- Place and identity.
- Place as physical space and cultural space.
- Placemaking.
- 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: 11 May 2026Module/Topic
Language.
(Why is the written word a common feature of contemporary visual art practice?)
Chapter
- Read: your week 9 Study Guide: Language/text and the visual arts.
- 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: 18 May 2026Module/Topic
Science and technology.
(How does science and technology continue to shape who we are? How might contemporary artists explore these changes?)
Chapter
Read: week 9 Study Guide: Science and technology
View: your week 10 Learning Resources.
Complete: your week 10 Learning Activities.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Topics:
- Technology and civilisation.
- Art/Science hybrid artforms.
- Bioart.
- Transhumanism & Posthumanism.
Artists investigated:
- Stelarc.
- Orlan.
- Patricia Picinini.
- Jeffrey Shaw.
- John Young.
Week 11. The Environment.
Begin Date: 25 May 2026Module/Topic
The environment.
(Why has the environment become such a key theme for contemporary visual artists?)
Chapter
- Read: week 11 Study Guide: The Environment and the Visual Arts.
- View: your other week 11 Learning Resources.
- Complete: your week 11 Learning Activities.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Topics:
- Environmental art; eco-art.
- Planetarity, and planetary art.
Artists investigated:
- Yunupingu.
- Murray Fredericks.
- Andy Goldsworthy.
- Agnes Denes.
- Olafur Eliasson.
- Diller Scoffidio + Renfro.
Week 12. Spirituality.
Begin Date: 01 Jun 2026Module/Topic
Spirituality.
(The arts and spirituality have always been aligned. How might contemporary visual arts practices serve the need to confirm or challenge worldviews and/or seek transcendence?)
Chapter
- View: your week 12 Learning Resources.
- Complete: your week 12 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
Written Assessment and Prerecorded Presentation. Due: Week 12 Friday (5 June 2026) 11:45 pm AEST
Exam Week
Begin Date: 08 Jun 2026Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Vacation/Exam Week
Begin Date: 15 Jun 2026Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
1 Annotated bibliography
Weighting: 50%.
Length: 1000-1500 words.
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/prerecorded presentation (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 question (assessment 2).
The annotated bibliography will not include websites or articles where no author is acknowledged.
The research question; Assessment 2:
For this written assessment you will select one critically acknowledged international visual artist and one significant Australian or Asia/Pacific artist, both of whom may be identified as working within one of the contemporary (The body, the environment, language, time and memory themes identified in this unit (the body, the environment, language, time and memory etc). Using critical/cultural theory, relevant terminology, and the informed opinion of authoritative writers and reviewers, compare and contrast a major work by each selected artist.
For example:
Theme: The environment
International artist and artwork: Olafur Eliasson - 'The Whether Project', 2003, Tate Modern Turbine Hall.
National artist: Bonita Ely - 'Sample grid, sandbar near Boundary bend, the Murray-Murrumbidgee Junction', 1977.
Please submit your assessment via your Moodle site for this unit, being sure to attach a copy of the Assessment 1 criteria marking sheet with both your name and student number included.
Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence agents (Gen AI)
Within this assessment, the use of Gen AI agents is as follows:
AI Assessment scale tool:
Level 1: You must not use Al at any point during the assessment. You must demonstrate your core skills and knowledge. Any misuse or lack of disclosure regarding the use of AI tools will be considered a breach of academic integrity.
· Please acknowledge if you have used the software Grammarly in this assessment.
Week 7 Friday (1 May 2026) 11:45 pm AEST
Please submit your assessment via Moodle as a word document by the due date.
Week 9 Friday (15 May 2026)
Assessment feedback will be provided via Moodle.
1. Quantity of sources. (max. 10 pts)
2. Quality /Reliability of Sources. (max. 20 pts)
3. Standard of writing and critical appraisal/description. (max. 25 pts)
4. Attention to task requirements and relevance of sources to research question. (max. 20 pts)
5. Adherence to APA (7th edit.) style guidelines. (max. 25 pts)
- Conduct focused research to develop context specific knowledge to inform and share opinions in appropriate written styles
- Identify and apply concepts from critical theory and cultural studies to a discreet selection of late twentieth century and contemporary Australian, Asian or Pacific visual art practices.
2 Written Assessment
Weighting: 50% weighting
Length: 10-12 minutes (duration).
For this assessment you will prepare a written transcript and then present it as a pre-recorded, multimodal PowerPoint (audio narration + slides). In this written assessment and presentation, 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 (the body, the environment, language, time and memory etc).
For example:
Theme: The environment
International artist and artwork: Olafur Eliasson - 'The Whether Project', 2003, Tate Modern Turbine Hall.
National artist: Bonita Ely - 'Sample grid, sandbar near Boundary bend, the Murray-Murrumbidgee Junction', 1977.
Using critical/cultural theory, relevant terminology and the informed opinions of authoritative writers and reviewers, compare and contrast a key work by each selected artist, whilst relating the artwork to the identified theme. Your pre-recorded PowerPoint presentation must also include at least 7 (seven) direct quotes and/or paraphrased commentary from reliable and scholarly authors (appropriately cited). Additionally, you are asked to submit for assessment the written transcript for your assessment, along with a pdf of the PowerPoint slides. Both the transcript and the PowerPoint will include a reference list that:
· conforms with APA style (7th edition).
· includes a minimum of 7 references for direct quotes or paraphrased commentary/critique.
· acknowledges the source, license, and credits (where appropriate) of all visual representations (figures) used in the presentation.
N.B.: When including imagery, graphs, or other visual representations in your presentation, only use copyright-free material or seek authorisation for use. Also, ensure that appropriate acknowledgement of figures is incorporated into your reference list.
N.B.: Do NOT cite from Wikipedia or other websites that do not have an acknowledged author.
Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence agents (Gen AI)
Within this assessment, the use of Gen AI agents is as follows:
AI Assessment scale tool:
Level 1: You must not use Al at any point during the assessment. You must demonstrate your core skills and knowledge. Any misuse or lack of disclosure regarding the use of AI tools will be considered a breach of academic integrity.
Week 12 Friday (5 June 2026) 11:45 pm AEST
Assessment 2 must be a pre-recorded PowerPoint presentation. It must be submitted to Moodle via Echo360, along with your Assessment 2 Marking Criteria Sheet (name and student number added).
Vacation/Exam Week Friday (19 June 2026)
Assessment results and feedback will be available to Moodle via Echo360 for instructions please use this link: https://moodle.cqu.edu.au/mod/page/view.php?id=3340315&forceview=1.To submit assessment 2, or any large video format file for assessment, please submit your assessment to Moodle via Echo360. For instructions on how this can be done, please use the following link: https://moodle.cqu.edu.au/mod/page/view.php?id=3340315&forceview=1 How do I submit Video Assessments using Echo 360?
1. Evidence of research and integration of theoretical perspectives. (Max. 20)
2. Degree of depth with which topic is addressed. (Max. 20)
3. Attention to requirements of task. (Max. 15%)
4. Structure of presentation and use of appropriate software. (Max. 15)
5. Ability to clearly articulate ideas and use appropriate style. (Max. 20)
- Conduct focused research to develop context specific knowledge to inform and share opinions in appropriate written styles
- Identify and apply concepts from critical theory and cultural studies to a discreet selection of late twentieth century and contemporary Australian, Asian or Pacific visual art practices.
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?
