To be read in conjunction with the program of study requirements for the degree in which you are enrolled:

A student may complete a major sequence of 36 units in Visual Arts by completing two Year 1 topics (9 units), two Year 2 topics (9 units) and two Year 3 topics (9 units) plus two additional topics (9 units) from the Year 2 or Year 3 topics listed in the program of study below.

A student may complete a minor sequence of 22.5 units in Visual Arts by completing two Year 1 topics (9 units), two Year 2 topics (9 units) plus an additional topic (4.5 units) from the Year 2 or Year 3 topics listed in the program of study below.

Visual Arts is not offered as an extended major.

Course aims

The Visual Arts major aims to:

  • introduce students to the major themes and history of art;
  • provide students with the opportunity to analyse the changing modes of representation and meaning and to reflect on the changing social and cultural contexts of visual arts;
  • provide students with the opportunity to develop an understanding of the ISSes and concepts in the visual arts;
  • introduce students to contemporary issues in visual art;
  • provide students with the opportunity to investigate and develop their understanding and skills in a chosen medium;
  • provide students with the opportunity to analyse the use of the chosen medium in depth;
  • develop an appreciation of the concepts of creativity and visual thinking.

Learning outcomes

On completion of the major students will be able to:

  • articulate their own ideas about the development of visual art history, theory and practice
  • demonstrate their understanding of social and cultural contexts of visual art
  • demonstrate their ability to critically analyse and evaluate visual art works using informed criteria
  • identify issues and concepts in visual art, including concepts of creativity and visual thinking
  • demonstrate the development of their art-making skills in a chosen medium

Program of study

The following is the program of study for a 36 unit major sequence in Visual Arts.

Major - Visual Arts

Year 1 topics

VISA1001 Visual Arts: Traditions and Theories  (4.5 units) 

Plus one of:

VISA1401 Drawing and Design Fundamentals (4.5 units)
SCME1003 Essential Multimedia (4.5 units)
VISA1003 Studio Fundamentals (4.5 units)

Year 2 topics

Choose 4.5 units from:

AUST2610 Australian Studies: Indigenous Australian Art (4.5 units)
VISA2002  Curatorial and Museum Studies (4.5 units)
VISA3404 Visual Thinking and Creativity (4.5 units)

Plus 9 units of Studio Specialisation topics or 9 units of Digital Media topics:

Studio Specialisation topics:

VISA2000 Studio Specialisation A  (4.5 units)##
VISA2001 Studio Specialisation B  (4.5 units)##

or

9 units of Digital Media topics:

SCME2004 Introduction to Digital Graphic Design (4.5 units)
SCME2108 Multimedia Production Part 1 (4.5 units)
SCME2109 Multimedia Production Part 2 (4.5 units)
SCME2201 Interaction Design (4.5 units)
SCME2202 3D Animation (4.5 units)
SCME2203 3D Effects (4.5 units)
SCME3005 Digital Games (4.5 units)

Year 3 topics

Choose 4.5 units from:

AUST2610 Australian Studies: Indigenous Australian Art (4.5 units)
VISA2002 Curatorial and Museum Studies (4.5 units)
VISA3404 Visual Thinking and Creativity (4.5 units) 

Plus 9 units of Studio Specialisation topics or 9 units of Digital Media topics:

Studio Specialisation topics:

VISA3100 Studio Specialisation C (4.5 units)##
VISA3101 Studio Specialisation D (4.5 units)## 

or

9 units of Digital Media topics:

SCME2004 Introduction to Digital Graphic Design (4.5 units)
SCME2108 Multimedia Production Part 1 (4.5 units)
SCME2109 Multimedia Production Part 2 (4.5)
SCME2201 Interaction Design (4.5 units)
SCME2202 3D Media Studio B (4.5 units)
SCME2203 3D Media Studio C (4.5 units)
SCME3005 Digital Games (4.5 units)

## The Studio Specialisation topics are taught at the Adelaide College of the Arts in Light Square, Adelaide. Studio Specialisations include: Painting; Photography; Drawing; Printmaking; Sculpture; Ceramics; and Jewellery.