Students

ANTH204 – Art and Culture

2017 – S2 Day

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor
Chris Houston
Contact via chris.houston@mq.edu.au
W6A 605
Tuesday 3.00pm - 5.00pm; Wednesday 2.00pm - 3.00pm
Credit points Credit points
3
Prerequisites Prerequisites
ANTH150 or (12cp at 100 level or above) or admission to GDipArts
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
This unit introduces students to certain vital artistic practices and the social worlds and relationships they generate. The unit first sketches out some theoretical questions concerning the anthropology of art, examining issues such as the universality or social-specificity of art and aesthetics as a phenomenon; the relationship between artworks and artefacts; the rise of the artist as a vocation; and how the body, senses, and emotions are trained in the production and consumption of aesthetic forms. Next, students are encouraged to learn not only about the anthropology of art but to consider also the complementary process of anthropology as art. How do we represent – write about, film, draw – the lives, places and activities of others? Anthropology, too, is an artistic and experimental practice, as seen most clearly in the discipline and creativity of ethnographic writing or ethnographic film. Third, we focus on the practices of artists, and the ways in which their work might contribute to anthropological understandings. How does ‘fieldwork’ with artists illuminate our understanding of art? Last, students engage with art in a more experiential manner, through our own practice of it, enabling us to make art and to reflect upon the issues and experiences that emerge in the process. This fourth aspect of the course encourages students themselves to engage in art practice.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • Identify and analyse key concepts and theoretical developments in the anthropology of art;
  • Experience the perceptual modifications that arts practice facilitate through participation in practical art skills
  • Appreciate how anthropological research contributes to our understanding of the cultural diversity of contemporary art practices and aesthetic experiences;
  • Analyse the relationship between art and ethnography as collaborative practices;
  • Actively participate in group discussion on the anthropology of art in a confident and critically informed manner;
  • Plan and present work according to the unit schedule and guidelines.

General Assessment Information

You must submit your essay through the turnitin link, found on iLearn for this subject.

Extensions: any extensions must be requested in writing with valid documentation of their necessity (e.g. medical certificate). Any work that is submitted after the due date without an extension will be penalized at the standard rate of 1 percentage point per day.

Important Note: It is a requirement that all students keep a copy of their written work. In the event of work being lost, or if you have handed it in but it is not in our records, you must be able to present a second copy. If you do not do so, no consideration can be given and all marks will be forfeited for that piece of work.

Plagiarism is a serious matter and will be treated as such by the Department. It is important that you understand what plagiarism is and the nature of the penalties it incurs. Please refer to the section on Policies and Procedures below. It is expected that every student familiarise themselves with this policy. 

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Seminar participation 10% No Weekly
Tutorial Reading Response 20% No Weekly
Dossier of workshop activities 15% No 30/10/2015
Essay 30% No 20/10/2015
Take Home Test 25% No Week 13

Seminar participation

Due: Weekly
Weighting: 10%

The Wednesday seminar class will run as a combination of lectures and practical workshops. We have a number of guests coming to speak to us and/or to mentor us in certain art practices, according to their particular areas of specialization. Attendance at Tuesday seminars is therefore mandatory. I will be taking attendance in our seminar sessions. In order to receive full marks for attendance you must attend at least 80% of seminars.  Attendance in seminars is worth 10% of your overall mark

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify and analyse key concepts and theoretical developments in the anthropology of art;
  • Experience the perceptual modifications that arts practice facilitate through participation in practical art skills
  • Appreciate how anthropological research contributes to our understanding of the cultural diversity of contemporary art practices and aesthetic experiences;
  • Analyse the relationship between art and ethnography as collaborative practices;
  • Actively participate in group discussion on the anthropology of art in a confident and critically informed manner;
  • Plan and present work according to the unit schedule and guidelines.

Tutorial Reading Response

Due: Weekly
Weighting: 20%

Tutorial preparation involves a couple of hours of pleasurable reading each week. To facilitate tutorial discussion, you are required to submit a one-page typed answer to the tutorial question for that week (see lecture and tutorial programme below).

The format of this answer is quite specific and you must address the following criteria:

  • Your one-page answer must be double-spaced and in 12 point font. This ensures that everyone does the same amount of work for each week. Do not go over the one page limit. It is quite challenging to provide a meaningful response to the question in such a small word limit, but this will develop a really important set of skills that will make it easier to grasp some of the complex concepts in the course.
  • Answer the question in your own words. Do not simply summarize the reading!!
  • In addition to the answer you provide to the tutorial question, you are required to write one succinct sentence capturing the reading’s major claim. 

The tutorial mark will be awarded both on the basis of the written work, as well as on tutorial participation.

  • Tutorial papers are to be done every week and they can only be submitted at the tutorial in which the reading is to be discussed.

You will be handing in 9 tute papers in total (which means out of the 10 weeks of tutorial questions, you can miss handing in one tutorial paper without academic penalty).

 

 

 

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify and analyse key concepts and theoretical developments in the anthropology of art;
  • Experience the perceptual modifications that arts practice facilitate through participation in practical art skills
  • Appreciate how anthropological research contributes to our understanding of the cultural diversity of contemporary art practices and aesthetic experiences;
  • Analyse the relationship between art and ethnography as collaborative practices;
  • Actively participate in group discussion on the anthropology of art in a confident and critically informed manner;
  • Plan and present work according to the unit schedule and guidelines.

Dossier of workshop activities

Due: 30/10/2015
Weighting: 15%

In the course of the semester we engage in four different art practices: an ethnographic writing workshop, a calligraphy class, a pottery lesson and an IPhone filming workshop. Students must participate in all three activities, and collect and submit in a single dossier the writing and drawing exercises. Student participation in these workshops is appreciated more than assessment of the quality of their work.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify and analyse key concepts and theoretical developments in the anthropology of art;
  • Experience the perceptual modifications that arts practice facilitate through participation in practical art skills
  • Analyse the relationship between art and ethnography as collaborative practices;
  • Plan and present work according to the unit schedule and guidelines.

Essay

Due: 20/10/2015
Weighting: 30%

Students will write one short essay for the course, choosing their topic from one of the major themes under discussion. This essay should be approximately 1500 words. Weekly tutorial readings and lectures provide broad research areas for this essay, due in the 7th week of semester.

The essay is due on Friday October 20th, and must be submitted through the turnitin system on iLearn. Your essay question must be clearly stated in your assignment.

NO EXTENSIONS unless accompanied with documentation. Those wishing to obtain an extension MUST have notified the convenor and tutor in writing. Penalties as per departmental policy will apply to late work received without an extension.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify and analyse key concepts and theoretical developments in the anthropology of art;
  • Appreciate how anthropological research contributes to our understanding of the cultural diversity of contemporary art practices and aesthetic experiences;
  • Analyse the relationship between art and ethnography as collaborative practices;
  • Plan and present work according to the unit schedule and guidelines.

Take Home Test

Due: Week 13
Weighting: 25%

A take-home exam will be distributed at the seminar on 1st November and is due back at the seminar on 8th November. No extensions will be allowed and any late returns will be penalized. The exam will consist of a combination of short answers to questions that link together topics and themes covered in lectures, tutorials and practical activities throughout the course.  

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On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify and analyse key concepts and theoretical developments in the anthropology of art;
  • Appreciate how anthropological research contributes to our understanding of the cultural diversity of contemporary art practices and aesthetic experiences;
  • Analyse the relationship between art and ethnography as collaborative practices;
  • Plan and present work according to the unit schedule and guidelines.

Delivery and Resources

Classes

Course Structure: 2-hour lecture (or 1 hour lecture + 1 hour film), 1 hour tutorial per week. Attendance at both lectures and tutorials is required.

A commitment to reading is essential

  • It is the basis for your informed engagement with ideas.
  • The lectures require more than passive listening.
  • You will be expected to actively participate in discussions that may evolve.
  • No prior knowledge of art history or criticism will be assumed and the theoretical frameworks required for this unit will be taught in the context of lectures, tutorials, and course readings.

Required and Recommended Texts and/or Materials

Required Reading:

There is no one set text for this unit but the weekly Required Readings are available on the ILearn page. Lectures, tutorials, the essay and exam are based on these readings. Additional references are listed below and should be available from Open Reserve in the library.

Recommended Texts:

In addition to the articles and chapters linked to ILearn, the following are highly recommended background and supplemental texts.

  1. Berger, John. Ways of Seeing.
  2. Born, Georgina. 1995. Rationalizing Culture: IRCAM, Boulez, and the Institutionalization of the Musical Avant-Garde. University of California Press.
  3. Gell, Alfred. 1998. Art and Agency: An Anthropological Theory. Oxford University Press.
  4. Guilbault, Serge. 1985. How New York Stole the Idea of Modern Art. University of Chicago Press.
  5. Myers, Fred. 2002. Painting Culture. Durham and London: Duke UP.
  6. Weidman, Amy. 2006. Singing the Classical, Voicing the Modern: The Postcolonial politics of music in South India. Durham and London: Duke UP.
  7. Winegar, Jessica. 2006. Creative Reckonings: The Politics of Art and Culture in Contemporary Egypt. Stanford University Press.

Unit Schedule

Class Program (overview)

Part One: Introduction to the Anthropology of Art

Week One: Introduction, Framing Concepts, Housekeeping

Week Two: Is Aesthetics a Cross-Cultural Category?

Week Three: What do Galleries do? Collection, Curation, and Exhibition (Visiting Macquarie University Art Gallery, tour with Rhonda Davis)

 

Part Two: The Art of Anthropology (1)

Week Four: The Art of Ethnography\

Week Five: Ethnographic Writing Workshop (with Michael Jackson)

Week Six: Anthropology and Poetry 

 

Part Three: Learning Artistic Practices – Skill Acquisition, Perceptual Modification and Embodied Senses

Week Seven: Art and Self Formation – Modifying Perceptual Dispositions

Term break

Week Eight: Learning to Listen … to Music

Week Nine: Artless Art? Calligraphy as Art Practice

Week Ten: Visit to Pottery Studio

 

Part Four: The Art of Anthropology (2): Screen and Visual Anthropology

Week Eleven: Video Production Workshop

Week Twelve: New Developments in Visual Anthropology

Week Thirteen: Tying up the Loose Ends of the Anthropology of Art

 

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html

Assessment Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy_2016.html

Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html

Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/complaint_management/procedure.html​

Disruption to Studies Policy (in effect until Dec 4th, 2017): http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html

Special Consideration Policy (in effect from Dec 4th, 2017): https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policies/special-consideration

In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/

Results

Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.

Student Services and Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

Student Enquiries

For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Graduate Capabilities

Creative and Innovative

Our graduates will also be capable of creative thinking and of creating knowledge. They will be imaginative and open to experience and capable of innovation at work and in the community. We want them to be engaged in applying their critical, creative thinking.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Identify and analyse key concepts and theoretical developments in the anthropology of art;
  • Experience the perceptual modifications that arts practice facilitate through participation in practical art skills
  • Appreciate how anthropological research contributes to our understanding of the cultural diversity of contemporary art practices and aesthetic experiences;
  • Analyse the relationship between art and ethnography as collaborative practices;
  • Actively participate in group discussion on the anthropology of art in a confident and critically informed manner;

Assessment tasks

  • Dossier of workshop activities
  • Essay
  • Take Home Test

Capable of Professional and Personal Judgement and Initiative

We want our graduates to have emotional intelligence and sound interpersonal skills and to demonstrate discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgement. They will exercise initiative as needed. They will be capable of risk assessment, and be able to handle ambiguity and complexity, enabling them to be adaptable in diverse and changing environments.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcome

  • Plan and present work according to the unit schedule and guidelines.

Commitment to Continuous Learning

Our graduates will have enquiring minds and a literate curiosity which will lead them to pursue knowledge for its own sake. They will continue to pursue learning in their careers and as they participate in the world. They will be capable of reflecting on their experiences and relationships with others and the environment, learning from them, and growing - personally, professionally and socially.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcome

  • Plan and present work according to the unit schedule and guidelines.

Discipline Specific Knowledge and Skills

Our graduates will take with them the intellectual development, depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content in their chosen fields to make them competent and confident in their subject or profession. They will be able to demonstrate, where relevant, professional technical competence and meet professional standards. They will be able to articulate the structure of knowledge of their discipline, be able to adapt discipline-specific knowledge to novel situations, and be able to contribute from their discipline to inter-disciplinary solutions to problems.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Identify and analyse key concepts and theoretical developments in the anthropology of art;
  • Experience the perceptual modifications that arts practice facilitate through participation in practical art skills
  • Appreciate how anthropological research contributes to our understanding of the cultural diversity of contemporary art practices and aesthetic experiences;

Assessment tasks

  • Seminar participation
  • Tutorial Reading Response
  • Dossier of workshop activities
  • Essay
  • Take Home Test

Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

We want our graduates to be capable of reasoning, questioning and analysing, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments; to be able to critique constraints, assumptions and limitations; to be able to think independently and systemically in relation to scholarly activity, in the workplace, and in the world. We want them to have a level of scientific and information technology literacy.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Identify and analyse key concepts and theoretical developments in the anthropology of art;
  • Experience the perceptual modifications that arts practice facilitate through participation in practical art skills
  • Appreciate how anthropological research contributes to our understanding of the cultural diversity of contemporary art practices and aesthetic experiences;
  • Actively participate in group discussion on the anthropology of art in a confident and critically informed manner;

Assessment tasks

  • Seminar participation
  • Tutorial Reading Response
  • Dossier of workshop activities
  • Essay
  • Take Home Test

Problem Solving and Research Capability

Our graduates should be capable of researching; of analysing, and interpreting and assessing data and information in various forms; of drawing connections across fields of knowledge; and they should be able to relate their knowledge to complex situations at work or in the world, in order to diagnose and solve problems. We want them to have the confidence to take the initiative in doing so, within an awareness of their own limitations.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Experience the perceptual modifications that arts practice facilitate through participation in practical art skills
  • Appreciate how anthropological research contributes to our understanding of the cultural diversity of contemporary art practices and aesthetic experiences;
  • Actively participate in group discussion on the anthropology of art in a confident and critically informed manner;
  • Plan and present work according to the unit schedule and guidelines.

Assessment tasks

  • Seminar participation
  • Tutorial Reading Response
  • Dossier of workshop activities
  • Essay
  • Take Home Test

Effective Communication

We want to develop in our students the ability to communicate and convey their views in forms effective with different audiences. We want our graduates to take with them the capability to read, listen, question, gather and evaluate information resources in a variety of formats, assess, write clearly, speak effectively, and to use visual communication and communication technologies as appropriate.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Identify and analyse key concepts and theoretical developments in the anthropology of art;
  • Experience the perceptual modifications that arts practice facilitate through participation in practical art skills
  • Appreciate how anthropological research contributes to our understanding of the cultural diversity of contemporary art practices and aesthetic experiences;
  • Actively participate in group discussion on the anthropology of art in a confident and critically informed manner;
  • Plan and present work according to the unit schedule and guidelines.

Assessment tasks

  • Seminar participation
  • Tutorial Reading Response
  • Essay
  • Take Home Test

Engaged and Ethical Local and Global citizens

As local citizens our graduates will be aware of indigenous perspectives and of the nation's historical context. They will be engaged with the challenges of contemporary society and with knowledge and ideas. We want our graduates to have respect for diversity, to be open-minded, sensitive to others and inclusive, and to be open to other cultures and perspectives: they should have a level of cultural literacy. Our graduates should be aware of disadvantage and social justice, and be willing to participate to help create a wiser and better society.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Identify and analyse key concepts and theoretical developments in the anthropology of art;
  • Appreciate how anthropological research contributes to our understanding of the cultural diversity of contemporary art practices and aesthetic experiences;
  • Analyse the relationship between art and ethnography as collaborative practices;

Assessment task

  • Tutorial Reading Response

Socially and Environmentally Active and Responsible

We want our graduates to be aware of and have respect for self and others; to be able to work with others as a leader and a team player; to have a sense of connectedness with others and country; and to have a sense of mutual obligation. Our graduates should be informed and active participants in moving society towards sustainability.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcome

  • Analyse the relationship between art and ethnography as collaborative practices;

Assessment task

  • Dossier of workshop activities