Undergraduate Program

Jump to:

• Majoring in Art History and Theory
• Summer School
• Structure of Art History and Theory IV
• Planning a Thesis

In a new century when visual images increasingly challenge text as a means of communication, the history of art and film provides a bedrock of visual literacy. With strengths in European, American, Asian and Australian art and film, units of study offered by the department provide an understanding of different cultures and times. Studying not only the ‘high art’ of the museums and private collections, the department engages with the vitality of popular culture: design, photography, and the medium of film that so defines contemporary experience.

A degree in Art History and Film Studies has a wide range of real-world applications. Beyond the rigorous training in argument and writing the degree provides, it gives a pathway into several arts industries. Many commercial galleries, public art spaces, public galleries and museums are staffed by our graduates. Many art critics, film critics and programmers working in the print media, radio and television have trained in art history and films studies. The department’s excellence in theoretical as well as historical studies has encouraged young researchers who have gone on to find work at the university level around Australia and overseas

Candidates for the Bachelor of Arts may count up to 72 credit points (12 Junior and 60 Senior) from Art History and Theory toward degree requirements. There is no entry requirement for Art History and Theory 1001 or 1002. Students intending to major in Art History and Theory must complete both ARHT 1001 and ARHT 1002.

Majoring in Art History and Theory

To do a major in Art History and Theory, a student must complete a total of 12 junior credit points, and at a Senior level, a minimum of 36 credit points, and a maximum of 48 credit points.

Students can choose a wide range of units of study to create a generalist degree or chose units of study to create a more specialised major (for example, with a focus on Art History before 1900, or Film Studies or Asian Art. Whatever the case, in order to ensure that all students attain the range of knowledge necessary for a depth of understanding of the visual arts, and to maximise opportunities for future employment or research, students are advised to choose units of study from at least three of the six areas available for study, not including ARHT2601.

Students can choose additional units according to whether they wish to achieve a specialist or a generalist degree. For example, those hoping to work in an art museum might choose to specialise in European and Australian art or in Asian art with relevant courses in European art history.

Summer school

The department offers undergraduate units of study as part of the University of Sydney Summer School. Please check the University's Summer School website for this year's offerings.

Structure of Art History and Theory IV

Art History and Theory IV has 3 components: a thesis and two
semester-length option courses.The thesis will be worth 60% of your final result and the two options will total 40% of the final result

Supervised thesis (15-18,000 words)
It is essential that you decide on your area of study and see your supervisor before the end of this year to enable you to begin work on your thesis during the long vacation.

You will be asked to submit a two-page thesis proposal in April. This is a compulsory component of the course, although it is not marked. The aim is to ensure that students do not leave the planning and writing of the thesis until the last minute. Thesis-writing workshops will be scheduled in first and second semesters to assist you in working through the various stages of planning, researching and writing.

Two semester-length options
These courses are usually based on a weekly two-hour seminar; film seminars are four hours long.

Planning a Thesis

The following is a list of members of staff (and their interests) who are available for supervision.

Remember that you should start planning and discussing your thesis topic with your supervisor BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR. This is especially important as some staff members may be away and hence unavailable for consultation after the New Year.
If you are planning to work with a staff member who is on leave for part of the year it is essential that you discuss the situation with the relevant staff member and the Honours Co-ordinator to ensure that there will be a smooth transition from one semester to the next in terms of supervision.

PROF. ROGER BENJAMIN
Rm N312; 9351 4826;

DR KEITH BROADFOOT
9351 6906; Email

• 20th century art: European, American, Australian
• Film theory and history

PROF. JOHN CLARK
9351 3566; Email

• Japanese art and architecture (all periods)
• Problems of modernity in Asian art
• Transcultural art practice and its theorisation
• Godzilla studies

DR LALEEN JAYAMANNE
9351 4084; Email

• Film, film history, theory and criticism
• Feminism and film

DR LOUISE MARSHALL
9351 3073; Email

• Renaissance art and architecture, 1300-1600
• The changing role of the image in late medieval devotional practice; image and cult; the body of Christ; imaging sanctity; mystic eroticism

DR JENNIFER MILAM
9351 4210; Email
Away until 2009

• 17th and 18th century European art, especially France
• Issues of play, gender and reception
• 18th and 19th century American art

DR CATRIONA MOORE
9351 6905; Email

• Contemporary international art
• 20th century Australian art
• Women’s studies, feminism and aesthetics
• Photographic history and theory; electronic media

DR MARY ROBERTS
9351 4213 ;

• Orientalism
• 19th century British art
• Cross-cultural theory

DR RICHARD SMITH
9351 4208; Email

• Film history, theory and criticism

Honours Co-ordinator for 2007 - 2009
Dr. Catriona Moore
9351 4210 ;