Bachelor of Visual Arts and Bachelor of Visual Arts/Bachelor of Advanced Studies
Unit outlines will be available through Find a unit outline two weeks before the first day of teaching for 1000-level and 5000-level units, or one week before the first day of teaching for all other units.
Visual Arts
Honours
In addition to the requirements in the degree resolutions, admission to Honours in Visual Arts requires:
(i) completion of the requirements of the pass degree of the Bachelor of Visual Arts at the University of Sydney or an equivalent degree from another university with a weighted average mark (WAM) of at least 70 across all 2000- and 3000-level units; and
(ii) presentation of a research proposal outlining the proposed topic of investigation; and
(iii) for students not in the Bachelor of Visual Arts, presentation of a portfolio of creative work demonstrating level of expertise for honours level.
Achievement of Honours in Visual Arts requires 36 credit points from this table including:
(i) 36 credit points of 4000-level core Honours units, either by studio practice and research paper; or by dissertation.
Students undertaking honours in Visual Arts under the standalone Bachelor of Advanced Studies (Honours) or standalone Bachelor of Visual Arts (Honours) select 12 credit points of electives from the 4000 level advanced coursework Visual Arts units of study to complete the required 48 credit points for these degrees.
By studio practice and research paper
CAHO4005 Contemporary Arts Honours Seminar
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Refer to the unit of study outline https://www.sydney.edu.au/units Session: Semester 1 Classes: 1x1hr seminar/week, 1x1hr group tutorial/week Corequisites: CAHO4001 or CAHO4003 or CAHO4006 or CAHO4008 Assessment: 1x3000wd equivalent oral and written seminar presentation (50%),1x3000wd essay (50%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
This unit identifies the central theories and dynamics of contemporary visual art praxis that will inform the student’s year-long individual research projects. It also provides an essential framework to develop an understanding of research methodologies to support your project. Topics include approaches to researching, the artist’s methodology, the author's voice and its role in the organising and structuring of texts. You will further develop your critical and analytical skills through readings, discussion and essay writing. Students present an individual seminar on developing studio/dissertation research and write an essay identifying the concepts and practices relevant to their projects.
CAHO4006 Contemporary Arts Honours A
Credit points: 12 Session: Semester 1 Classes: 1x1hr/fortnight supervisory consultations Prerequisites: A completed Bachelor of Visual Arts or external equivalent degree Corequisites: CAHO4005 Assessment: Development of preparatory artworks and draft of research paper (100%) Mode of delivery: Supervision
In this unit of study you will research and begin to develop a substantial and coherent body of studio work for exhibition that is individually conceived and planned. In addition, you will research and prepare the first draft of a 5000-7000 word research paper. Both are monitored through meetings with your supervisor who provides advice and feedback. Through the critical intersection of praxis and theoretical enquiry you will develop methods to engage critically with contemporary ideas pertaining to visual art practice. By undertaking intensive studio investigations you will deepen your understanding of your own production of artworks and strengthen connections with the broader arts field.
Textbooks
Refer to the unit of study outline https://www.sydney.edu.au/units
CAHO4007 Contemporary Arts Honours B
Credit points: 18 Session: Semester 2 Classes: 1x1hr supervision/fortnightly Prerequisites: CAHO4005 and CAHO4006 Assessment: 1x30min oral exam (8000wd equivalent) exhibited body of artwork (60%), 1x5000-7000wd research paper (40%) Mode of delivery: Supervision
In this unit, you will continue with your independent studio project, building on the preparatory activities for your studio artwork and research paper completed in your first semester. Through a continued exploration within the studio, you will work towards refining a body of work to be presented for examination. Throughout the semester you will also refine your paper with the submitting of drafts to your supervisor as milestones, commencing with a first draft submitted in the first week and finishing with a final research paper of 5000-7000 words ready for examination. You will continue regular meetings with your supervisor, who will provide feedback on your studio work and your written drafts.
Textbooks
Refer to the unit of study outline https://www.sydney.edu.au/units
By dissertation
CAHO4005 Contemporary Arts Honours Seminar
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Refer to the unit of study outline https://www.sydney.edu.au/units Session: Semester 1 Classes: 1x1hr seminar/week, 1x1hr group tutorial/week Corequisites: CAHO4001 or CAHO4003 or CAHO4006 or CAHO4008 Assessment: 1x3000wd equivalent oral and written seminar presentation (50%),1x3000wd essay (50%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
This unit identifies the central theories and dynamics of contemporary visual art praxis that will inform the student’s year-long individual research projects. It also provides an essential framework to develop an understanding of research methodologies to support your project. Topics include approaches to researching, the artist’s methodology, the author's voice and its role in the organising and structuring of texts. You will further develop your critical and analytical skills through readings, discussion and essay writing. Students present an individual seminar on developing studio/dissertation research and write an essay identifying the concepts and practices relevant to their projects.
CAHO4008 Contemporary Arts Honours Dissertation A
Credit points: 12 Session: Semester 1 Classes: 1x1hr supervision/fortnightly Prerequisites: A completed Bachelor of Visual Arts or external equivalent degree Corequisites: CAHO4005 Assessment: Honours Thesis development of argument towards a written draft (100%) Mode of delivery: Supervision
In this unit of study you will conduct supervised and independent study focused on a self-nominated research topic. The outcome of this year-long study is a dissertation of 15, 000 words that should demonstrate a commitment to serious scholarship, a focussed investigation, disciplined editing and rigorous analysis. Throughout this semester you will work towards refining your research interests, conducting research and developing an argument towards a first written draft. Regular meetings with your supervisor provide advice and feedback. Candidate should demonstrate consistent progress in individual research.
Textbooks
Refer to the unit of study outline https://www.sydney.edu.au/units
CAHO4009 Contemporary Arts Honours Dissertation B
Credit points: 18 Session: Semester 2 Classes: 1x1hr supervision/fortnightly Prerequisites: CAHO4005 and CAHO4008 Assessment: 15,000wd final honours dissertation (100%) Mode of delivery: Supervision
This unit of study follows on from CAHO4008. At the end of this unit you are required to present a 15, 000 word dissertation concerned with the field of contemporary visual arts that should demonstrate a commitment to serious scholarship, a focused investigation, disciplined editing and rigorous analysis. In this unit, you will develop your written research project from the initial research and preparatory tasks completed in your first semester through a series of progressive drafts to a refined, completed dissertation suitable for examination at the end of the unit. Regular meetings with your supervisor will continue to provide advice and feedback.
Textbooks
Refer to the unit of study outline https://www.sydney.edu.au/units
Elective units of study
Where students are completing 12 credit points of elective units towards the requirements for the standalone Bachelor of Advanced Studies (Honours) or Bachelor of Visual Arts (Honours), they should choose from the following units:
CAVA4001 Art Writing and Artists
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: 1x2hr seminar/week Assessment: 1x1000wd art review (20%), 1x10min (2000wd equivalent) blog and podcast (30%), 1x3000wd journal article/conference paper (50%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
This unit of study introduces you to the language of art through venue and media publications created for the dissemination, critique and promotion of contemporary art. We will critically examine different forms of contemporary writing for the arts including the journal article, exhibition catalogue, online blogging, press releases, reviews, conference papers, and anthology chapters to discover the various structures of description and argument used and how they change across media publications. Through practical workshops, group critiques and individual tasks you will develop your capacity to produce effective writing for eventual publication in the field of contemporary art.
Textbooks
Refer to the unit of study outline https://www.sydney.edu.au/units
CAVA4002 Professional Arts Practice
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Please refer to the unit of study outline for individual sessions https://www.sydney.edu.au/units Session: Semester 2 Classes: 1x2hr lecture/week Assessment: 1x1000wd proposal document (20%), 1x2000wd equivalent case study documentation/folio (30%), 1x3000wd fieldwork report (50%). Please refer to the unit of study outline for individual sessions https://www.sydney.edu.au/units Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
This unit locates your arts practice in a professional context. In a series of workshops, you will develop and apply strategies fundamental to visual arts business practice, covering topics such as arts law, copyright, contracts, photographing work, writing exhibition proposals, grant applications and curriculum vitae, and defining a market. You will consider how you want to present yourself publicly as an artist, establishing the foundation for a sustainable career, with a strong business ethic enhancing and extending your creative working life. In the latter half of the semester, you will undertake fieldwork in an arts institution of your choice supported by feedback from your lecturers.
CAVA4003 Art making and Artworks
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Please refer to the unit of study outline for individual sessions https://www.sydney.edu.au/units Session: Semester 2 Classes: 1x2hr seminar/week Assessment: 1x1000wd art review (20%), 1x5000wd equivalent folio of artwork (80%). Please refer to the unit of study outline for individual sessions https://www.sydney.edu.au/units Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
In this unit of study, you will develop a self-directed practice-led visual art project in tandem with a close critique of international artworks created for contemporary art events. We will explore and critique political themes, methods and conceptual approaches that contemporary artists use to suggest the diversity of global contemporary art and life. As well as the BVA/BAS, this unit would be an ideal project for honours students wishing to do a discrete project outside their major project. If you are enrolled in CAHO4006, your work for this unit of study will be a separate supplementary studio project.
SLAM4003 Meaning in the Anthropocene
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Please refer to the unit of study outline for individual sessions https://www.sydney.edu.au/units Session: Semester 2 Classes: 1x2hr seminar/week or equivalent Prerequisites: ARHT3998 or ARHT3999 or ARIN3998 or ARIN3999 or CAEL3998 or CAEL3999 or ENGL3998 or ENGL3999 or FILM3998 or FILM3999 or LNGS3998 or LNGS3999 or PRFM3998 or PRFM3999 or 144 credit points in the Bachelor of Visual Arts or HSTY3998 or HSTY3999 or ANHS3998 or ANHS3999 or GCST3998 or GCST3999 or ARCO3998 or ARCO3999 or PHIL3998 or PHIL3999 Assessment: 1x2000wd short essay (40%), 1x4000wd or equivalent research project: essay or critical creative work (60%). Please refer to the unit of study outline for individual sessions https://www.sydney.edu.au/units Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
This unit focuses on key themes for understanding meaning in the Anthropocene, an age of human planetary impact: human-nature relations, social and environmental activism. Students will learn how the various disciplines in the School of Literature, Art and Media engage with the Anthropocene in literary, visual, digital and performative modes. Collaborating with the Sydney Environment Institute, the unit underscores the contribution of the arts to the ethics and aesthetics of meaning in an age of global economic crisis. This unit is team-taught and assessment will accommodate a student's research interests.
SLAM4004 Working the Arts and Humanities
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Please refer to the unit of study outline for individual sessions https://www.sydney.edu.au/units Session: Semester 1 Classes: 1x2hr seminar/week Prerequisites: ARHT3998 or ARHT3999 or ARIN3998 or ARIN3999 or CAEL3998 or CAEL3999 or ENGL3998 or ENGL3999 or FILM3998 or FILM3999 or LNGS3998 or LNGS3999 or PRFM3998 or PRFM3999 or 144 credit points in the Bachelor of Visual Arts or HSTY3998 or HSTY3999 or ANHS3998 or ANHS3999 or GCST3998 or GCST3999 or ARCO3998 or ARCO3999 or PHIL3998 or PHIL3999 Assessment: 1x2000wd short essay (40%),1x4000wd or equivalent major project: essay or appropriate creative work (60%). Please refer to the unit of study outline for individual sessions https://www.sydney.edu.au/units Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
We will explore how we might think about 'work' in the arts and humanities. First: works of art, culture, literature, film. What is a work of art? How do works ‘work’? How do they function? Second, labour in the humanities and arts: the industrial conditions cultural work in contemporary conditions of precarity and uberisation? Third, how the arts and humanities are put to work. What values are associated with these fields, to the labour involved? How are the knowledges generated in the arts and humanities put to use, appropriated, marginalised, dismissed? The unit is team taught and accessible to students from diverse backgrounds; assessment tailored to student’s research interests.