This course will both survey postmodern art in general, and will pursue a more focussed approach to a dominant theme of such art, the sublime. In this respect, we will concentrate on the writing of Lyotard. Once the issue of the sublime is raised, the question of the links to Romanticism automatically follows, and the course will investigate whether postmodern art should be considered fundamentally neo-Romantic, or whether it should stand as an independent, revolutionary category in itself. The relation of Modernism to neo-Romanticism will also be investigated, thus allowing for a consideration of Modernism and Postmodernism to each other. Other topics to be examined include the political values and claims of postmodern art and the status of the art-producer as artist-theoretician.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- question and evaluate the stronghold of modernist painting and the 'heroic' male artist in the last three decades of the twentieth century;
- expand their knowledge of postmodernist art and think critically about the changing role, meaning and purpose of art in rising global cultures, which will result from their engagement with diverse media ranging from photography, fashion, the moving image, collage and painting; and
- assess the rise of feminism in art practice, the appropriation of 'history' in imagery across media, the blurring of boundaries in disciplines, cultures and geographies, and the rising voice of minority groups excluded from the normalising definitions of art presented during the height of modernist era of the 1950s and early 1960s.
Indicative Assessment
- 2,000 word tutorial paper (30) [LO 1,2,3]
- 3,000 word essay (50) [LO 1,2]
- Image test (20) [LO 2,3]
In response to COVID-19: Please note that Semester 2 Class Summary information (available under the classes tab) is as up to date as possible. Changes to Class Summaries not captured by this publication will be available to enrolled students via Wattle.
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Workload
130 hours of total student learning time made up from:
a) 36 hours of contact over 12 weeks: 24 hours of lectures and 12 hours of tutorials; and
b) 94 hours of independent student research, reading and writing. Contact hours may include visits to major art institutions in Canberra.
Inherent Requirements
Not applicable
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
None
Preliminary Reading
Benjamin, A, (ed), The Lyotard Reader, New York, 1989
Docherty, T, Postmodernism: A Reader, New York, 1993
Kristeva, J, The Powers of Horror, New York, 1982
Foster, Hal (ed), The Anti-Aesthetic : Essays on Postmodern Culture, Washington, 1983
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
If you are a domestic graduate coursework or international student you will be required to pay tuition fees. Tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 1
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are an undergraduate student and have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). You can find your student contribution amount for each course at Fees. Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2020 | $3570 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2020 | $5460 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
First Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4476 | 21 Feb 2022 | 28 Feb 2022 | 31 Mar 2022 | 27 May 2022 | In Person | View |