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
This unit develops distinctions between genres and periods of writing in the art world and in the academy. It brings students to a level at which they can distinguish art criticism, art history, new art history and art theory from each other, and make judgements about their value as research material. It prepares students for honours work, as well as for art world workplaces by developing research skills already established in Level 1 and Level 2 units. These skills are developed by detailed examination of texts that have played a significant role in the history of art and their adequacy at interpreting the visual art they address. These texts are given historical context and students are expected to understand them alongside their geographical, social, cultural and historical contexts. Students are also required to develop arguments that examine the rhetorical forms and argumentative styles that art writers and art historians put to work.
- Credit
- 6 points
- Offering
Availability Location Mode Not available in 2025 UWA (Perth) Face to face - Details for undergraduate courses
- Level 3 option in the History of Art; Art History and Curatorial Studies major sequences
- Level 3 elective
- Outcomes
Students are able to (1) historical and cultural contexts of several areas of art historical study; (2) some key theoretical and historical moments in the development of the discipline of art history; (3) the relationship of different genres of art writing and art history to each other; (4) the relationship that these moments and genres have played in the interpretation of artworks and the development of art movements; and (5) how to evaluate writing about art after the demands of research methodologies.
- Assessment
Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) short essay; (2) oral assessment; and (3) long essay. 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)
- Associate Professor Darren Jorgensen
- Unit rules
- Prerequisites
- at least one Level 2 unit from the History of Art major sequence
- Incompatibility
- VISA3330 Art Theory
- Contact hours
- lectures: 2 hours per week
tutorials: 1 hour per week - Note
- Enrolled students can access unit material via the LMS (Learning Management System).
- 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.
Face to face
Predominantly face-to-face. On campus attendance required to complete this unit. May have accompanying resources online.
Online flexible
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit is asynchronous delivery, with NO requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online timetabled
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit includes some synchronous components, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online Restricted
Not available for self-enrolment. Students access this mode by contacting their student office through AskUWA. 100% Online Unit.
NO campus face-to-face attendance. All study and assessment requirements are online only. Unit includes some timetabled activities, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times. In exceptional cases (noted in the Handbook) students may be required to participate in face-to-face laboratory classes when a return to UWA’s Crawley campus becomes possible in order to be awarded a final grade.
External
No attendance or regular contact is required, and all study requirements are completed either via correspondence and/or online submission.
Off-campus
Regular attendance is not required, but student attends the institution face to face on an agreed schedule for purposes of supervision and/or instruction.
Multi-mode
Multiple modes of delivery. Unit includes a mix of online and on-campus study requirements. On campus attendance for some activities is required to complete this unit.