Studying online

There are now 2 possible online modes for units:

Units with modes Online timetabled and Online flexible are available for any student to self-enrol and study online.

Click on an offering mode for more details.

Unit Overview

Description

The loss and destruction of art objects raises fundamental questions about their functions and value for historians, curators, artists and public alike. From the iconoclastic breaking of images, to the slow decay of neglect, from external impacts of war and looting, to inherent vice (i.e. the intrinsic instability of objects made from perishable or mutable materials like chocolate or wax), this unit examines the impact of loss on the making, the conservation and the study of art. It covers religious, political and aesthetic concepts underpinning the destruction of objects; it explores the material life and memory of the object; and it investigates how artists, curators and scholars alike engage with the temporality of art.

Credit
6 points
Offering
AvailabilityLocationMode
Not available in 2024UWA (Perth)Face to face
Details for undergraduate courses
  • Level 3 option in the History of Art major sequence
  • Level 3 elective
Outcomes

Students are able to (1) actively participate in discussion and provoke debate; (2) employ skills in research, expression and critical thought including the use of library resources, essay writing and the critical use of primary and secondary materials; (3) synthesise visual analysis and the contextualisation of art works in broader historical and theoretical frameworks; (4) apply key theoretical approaches to contemporary practices of curation and conservation; and (5) understand historical and cultural contexts of the destruction and decay of artworks across a broad range of periods.

Assessment

Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) research proposal; (2) research essay; and (3) oral assessment. Further information is available in the unit outline.



Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.

Unit Coordinator(s)
Dr Susanne Meurer
Unit rules
Prerequisites
at least one Level 2 unit from the History of Art major sequence
Incompatibility
HART2040 Breaking Art
Contact hours
lectures: 2 hours per week
seminars: 2 hours per week
  • The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
  • All students are responsible for identifying when they need assistance to improve their academic learning, research, English language and numeracy skills; seeking out the services and resources available to help them; and applying what they learn. Students are encouraged to register for free online support through GETSmart; to help themselves to the extensive range of resources on UWA's STUDYSmarter website; and to participate in WRITESmart and (ma+hs)Smart drop-ins and workshops.
  • Visit the Essential Textbooks website to see if any textbooks are required for this Unit. The website is updated regularly so content may change. Students are recommended to purchase Essential Textbooks, but a limited number of copies of all Essential Textbooks are held in the Library in print, and as an ebook where possible. Recommended readings for the unit can be accessed in Unit Readings directly through the Learning Management System (LMS).
  • Contact hours provide an indication of the type and extent of in-class activities this unit may contain. The total amount of student work (including contact hours, assessment time, and self-study) will approximate 150 hours per 6 credit points.