Art History: Theory and Controversy

Art can be both an interpretive lens to understand global and historical cultures, as well as a flashpoint for controversy, debate and protest. This subject will introduce you to the study of art history by focusing on case studies drawn from historical and contemporary contexts. You will develop a broad understanding of the interpretive frameworks informing artworks produced during selected artistic periods (for example, High Renaissance, Baroque and contemporary art). Through classroom discussion, site visits and visual analysis, you will also directly engage with some of art history’s biggest questions and debates around censorship, gender and sexual identity, and politics. The subject draws attention to the varying contexts informing works of art, including the relationship between art and its methods of production and preservation, its engagement with society and installation in museum settings, and the different ways in which viewers respond to art and interpret the meanings and messages it conveys. The subject will provide a fundamental grounding in art history and the broader critical and analytical skills necessary for the study of art. It provides a platform to build transposable academic skills and collaborate with peers, setting you up for success at university. Art History: Theory and Controversy is available as a Bachelor of Arts Discovery subject, supporting your introduction to university and fostering connections within your course. If you are taking this as your Discovery subject, you will need to concurrently complete the three compulsory Joining Melbourne modules.