Art History
About the major
Art is a profound and persistent human impulse. Art History explores the history of making, viewing and experiencing works of art and architecture. It asks key questions such as what is art for, what does it mean, and how does it function in broader culture? These questions will be part of a dynamic encounter with complex and compelling works of art. You will gain the historical knowledge and analytical skills to make sense of such works across time and space, to relate them to each other and to the specific historical and cultural contexts for which they were created.
You will be trained in the skills of visual and spatial analysis that are fundamental to our discipline - the ability to critically interpret the visual appearance of a given object. As well as the canonical forms of painting, sculpture and architecture, you will encounter a wide spectrum of media and art practice, from community-based social practice to internet art, from fresco to pop, from processional ritual to performance art, from land art to bark paintings.
Studying the history of art fosters insight and skills in understanding and interpreting visual communication, expression and innovation that are highly relevant in today’s image-saturated world. Many of our graduates go on to careers in the visual arts industry, as curators, critics, artists, art advisers, collection managers, registrars or educators. They work in art museums, commercial galleries, auction houses, state and local government or community arts programs, as well as in art journalism and criticism.
Requirements for completion
The Art History major and minor requirements are listed in the Art History unit of study table.
Learning outcomes
| No. | Learning outcome |
|---|---|
| 1 | Demonstrate a sophisticated knowledge of the depth and complexity of art in relation to specific historical, cultural and social contexts across a diverse range of global examples. |
| 2 | Apply sophisticated skills of visual and spatial observation in the critical analysis of works of art, architecture and visual culture. |
| 3 | Understand the diversity of materials and techniques that comprise art as it is practiced worldwide and distinguish between materials and techniques. |
| 4 | Demonstrate a nuanced knowledge of key concepts, theories and critical approaches to the study of art history and visual culture. |
| 5 | Examine and solve complex problems related to the study of art and visual culture through primary research and critical analysis and explore artworks in their relation to other cultural forms and modes of expression. |
| 6 | Utilize a variety of tools and methods to research artworks and sites, and to critically evaluate sources of information about artworks. |
| 7 | Encounter artworks and spaces first hand and in situ and confidently engage with their physical presence and contexts in museums, sites and other settings. |
| 8 | Participate actively in communicating and presenting in oral, written and digital forms. |
Advanced coursework
In the Bachelor of Advanced Studies through the School of Literature, Art and Media (SLAM) students will engage in advanced seminars that complement their individual research in project units. In SLAM this may be within the study of arts-based practices such as visual art, film, performance and writing, as well as literature, linguistics, or live and digitised media. Students will have the opportunity to apply disciplinary knowledges and methodologies to the legacies of the past, the complexities of the present and possible futures in the areas of communication, technology, literature and art in creative ways.
Requirements and units of study for advanced coursework can be found on the Art History advanced coursework units of study page.
Honours
An honours year in Art History allows students to specialise further in their area of interest. The honours year comprises two 4000-level seminar units of study and a thesis of 18,000-20,000 words in length.
Honours admission requirements
Admission into Honours is via the Bachelor of Advanced Studies or Bachelor of Arts (Honours) and requires the completion of a major in Art History with an average of 70 percent or above and completion of a second major.
Prior to commencing honours, you will need to ensure you have completed all other requirements of the Bachelor of Arts or other bachelor degree, including Open Learning Environment (OLE) units and, where undertaking the Bachelor of Advanced Studies, a second major.
Requirements and units of study for honours can be found on the Art History honours units of study page.
Contacts and further information
Contact details can be found on these websites:
Department of Art History
School of Literature, Art and Media
Example Pathways
Art History major pathway
| Art History major pathway | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | Sem 1 |
Core: ARHT1001 Style + Substance: Introducing Art History |
|
| Sem 2 | Core: ARHT1002 Shock of the Now: Global Art since 1900 | ||
| Year 2 | Sem 1 | Selective: 2000 level unit from the Art History major table | |
| Sem 2 | Core: ARHT2680 Why Art Matters | ||
| Year 3 | Sem 1 | Selective: 3000 level unit from the Art History major table |
Selective: 3000 level unit from the Art History major table |
| Sem 2 | Selective: 3000 level unit from the Art History major table | Interdisciplinary Project unit: FASS3999 / ARHT3999 Interdisciplinary Impact | |
Art History minor pathway
| Art History minor pathway | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | Sem 1 | Core: ARHT1001 Style + Substance: Introducing Art History | |
| Sem 2 | Core: ARHT1002 Shock of the Now: Global Art since 1900 | ||
| Year 2 | Sem 1 and / or Sem 2 | Core or selective: 2000 level unit from the Art History major table |
Selective: 2000 level unit from the Art History major table |
| Year 3 | Sem 1 and / or Sem 2 | Selective: 3000 level unit from the Art History major table |
Selective: 3000 level unit from the Art History major table |
Art History advanced coursework pathway
| Art History major and advanced coursework pathway | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | Sem 1 |
Core: ARHT1001 Style + Substance: Introducing Art History |
|
| Sem 2 | Core: ARHT1002 Shock of the Now: Global Art since 1900 | ||
| Year 2 | Sem 1 | Selective: 2000 level unit from the Art History major table | |
| Sem 2 | Core: ARHT2680 Why Art Matters | ||
| Year 3 | Sem 1 | Selective: 3000 level unit from the Art History major table |
Selective: 3000 level unit from the Art History major table |
| Sem 2 | Selective: 3000 level unit from the Art History major table | Interdisciplinary Project unit: FASS3999 / ARHT3999 Interdisciplinary Impact | |
| Year 4 | Sem 1 | Selective: SLAM4004 Working the Arts and Humanities or CAVA4001 Art Writing and Artists | Project Unit: SLAM4001 SLAM Project: Pasts, Presents, Futures A |
| Sem 2 | Selective: SLAM4003 Meaning in the Anthropocene | Project Unit: SLAM4002 SLAM Project: Pasts, Presents, Futures B | |
Art History honours pathway
| Art History major and honours pathway | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | Sem 1 |
Core: ARHT1001 Style + Substance: Introducing Art History |
|
| Sem 2 | Core: ARHT1002 Shock of the Now: Global Art since 1900 | ||
| Year 2 | Sem 1 | Selective: 2000 level unit from the Art History major table | |
| Sem 2 | Core: ARHT2680 Why Art Matters | ||
| Year 3 | Sem 1 | Selective: 3000 level unit from the Art History major table |
Selective: 3000 level unit from the Art History major table |
| Sem 2 | Selective: 3000 level unit from the Art History major table | Interdisciplinary Project unit: FASS3999 / ARHT3999 Interdisciplinary Impact | |
| Year 4 | Sem 1 | Honours: ARHT4113 Art is the Issue: Histories and Theories | Honours: ARHT4111 Art History Honours Thesis 1 |
| Sem 2 | Honours: ARHT4114 Vision and Frame: Art Encounters | Honours: ARHT4112 Art History Honours Thesis 2 | |