Honours Studies in Art & Design Theory

The Faculty of Art & Design at Monash University offers two distinct programs in art and design theory at Honours level, providing the opportunity for advanced study with outstanding scholars in a lively art-school environment at one of Australia's major research universities:

• The Honours degree of Bachelor of Visual Arts (Theory)
• The Honours degree of Bachelor of Arts (Visual Culture)

Both programs enable students to pursue advanced interests in theories and histories of art, design and visual culture, with a combination of coursework and a 15,000 to 18,000 word thesis completed over the year. Entry to the appropriate program will depend on the students academic background.

Potential supervisors in the Theory of Art & Design include eight full-time staff with expertise in diverse areas of contemporary and historical visual culture including Australian and International art, Indigenous art, Mediaeval, Renaissance and Baroque art, modernism, contemporary art, photography, media art, design, fashion, art criticism, curatorship and architecture.

Supervisors will work with students in conceptualising and developing the Honours thesis as well as providing advice and guidance in other issues related to the Honours program. Work on the thesis component should be completed at a consistent pace throughout the program, while the coursework underpins the thesis through the systematic introduction of contemporary art/design and cultural theory. The structure of the Honours programs are outlined in the tables below.

This course consists of one year full-time study or two years' part-time study. The expected number of hours per week is 48 for a full-time student and 24 for a part-time student. The normal Honours program runs from late February until late October for full-time students.

Applications are invited from local and international candidates with a bachelors degree in the arts or related areas.

Honours degree

The Honours degree of Bachelor of Visual Arts
Majoring in the Theory of Art & Design

Semester 1

• TAD4503 Advanced Art Theory (6 points)
• VIS4001 Project Studies (visual arts honours thesis) (12 points)
• Elective (6 points)

Semester 2

• TAD4504 Research Seminar in Art and Design (6 points)
• VIS4002 Major Project (visual arts honours thesis) (18 points)

The Honours degree of the Bachelor of Arts
Majoring in Visual Culture (offered by the Faculty of Art & Design on behalf of the Faculty of Arts)

Semester 1

• VSA4002A Minor Thesis (12 points)
• VSA4012 Visual Culture and its Theories (12 points)*

Semester 2

• VSA4002B Minor Thesis (12 points)
• VSA4076 Australian Postmodernism (12 points)

* Classes for VSA4012 'Visual Culture and its Theories' and TAD4503 'Advanced Art Theory' are held together. Students enrolled in VSA4012 produce an additional piece of assessment to make up the required 9000 word total of a 12 point unit.

For all inquiries, contact the Theory Honours Coordinator:
Dr Daniel Palmer
Email: daniel.palmer@artdes.monash.edu.au
Telephone: 9903 2480
Room G3.27 (Art & Design Building, Caulfield Campus)