In response to the "super wicked" problems that we must respond to today like climate change, many contemporary art practices, alongside new materialist philosophy and recent research in the natural sciences complicate established ideas about the distinction between "nature" and "culture". In this course we will explore a posthuman understanding of artistic practice, appreciating and engaging with the activities and agency of materials, technologies and forces. Understanding the artist's role as one actor among others in the creation of a work, in this course we will explore how to bring the relations between different actors to the fore. The course will involve analysis of recent posthuman art projects and the development of projects that explore specific systems and relations, activating different media and materials. The course will incorporate technical instruction in bronze casting alongside 3D modelling and printing as a way to examine the agency and potential of two different technologies and materials of replication.   

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. use, create and discuss posthumanist art practices that engage with materials and technologies as active agents;
2. make artworks that critically engage with posthumanist art practices and the specific materials and technologies used in the major project;
3. conduct research into practices and discourses around posthumanist art practice and the specific materials and technologies used in the major project and apply findings to creative production; and
4. substantiate artistic outcomes with research and rationale.

Field Trips

Excursion to a local cultural institution on Week 8

Additional Course Costs

$30 per student

School of Art & Design MATERIALS FEES

Each workshop sources appropriate specialist materials, which are made available to students to facilitate their working effectively, efficiently and safely within our programs. The School of Art & Design is able to supply materials that don’t compromise ANU obligations under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (WHS), and that have been assessed as suitable for each course. 

The Material Fee is payable for the School of Art & Design to supply materials that become your physical property. You can choose to pay the Materials Fee and have these materials supplied to you through the School of Art & Design, allowing you to take advantage of the GST-free bulk purchasing power of the ANU. These materials are also WHS compliant.

Students have the choice of acquiring these materials from a supplier other than the School of Art & Design, however students should note that many materials may not be WHS compliant (and therefore are not approved for use in the workshops), or are not available for individuals to purchase because they must be supplied and stored in a particular way in order to meet WHS regulations. See here for additional information: https://soad.cass.anu.edu.au/required-resources-and-incidental-fees

Recommended Resources

Whether you are on campus or studying remotely, there are a variety of online platforms you will use to participate in your study program. These could include videos for lectures and other instruction, two-way video conferencing for interactive learning, email and other messaging tools for communication, interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities, print and/or photo/scan for handwritten work and drawings, and home-based assessment.

ANU outlines recommended student system requirements to ensure you are able to participate fully in your learning. Other information is also available about the various Learning Platforms you may use.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• written comments
• verbal comments
• feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group etc

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Course intro; modelling, moulding, and molding
2	Digital modelling
3	Bronze casting or Fermentation	Assessment 1 due (10%)
4	Fermentation or Bronze casting
5	Flexible working day to complete Model, Cast, and Ferment projects
6	Presentation of first 3 projects; Introduce Major Project	Assessment 2 due (20%); Assessment 3 due (10%)
7	Implosion process and proposals for major project
8	Excursion
9	Individual proposal discussions and working day
10	Crit day for in-progress Major Projects
11	Working day
12	Presentation of Major Projects	Assessment 4 due (10%)
13	Examination period	Assessment 5 due (50%)

Tutorial Registration

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.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Model	10 %	10/08/2022	17/08/2022	1, 2
Cast, Ferment	20 %	31/08/2022	21/09/2022	1, 2
Week 1-6 Research and Documentation Blog	10 %	31/08/2022	21/09/2022	1, 3, 4
Week 7-12 Research and Documentation Blog	10 %	26/10/2022	01/12/2022	1, 3, 4
Major Project	50 %	09/11/2022	01/12/2022	1, 2, 3, 4

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines , which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Guideline and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Skills website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Assessment Task 1

Model

Value: 10%

Presentation Requirements: Bring printed model to class

Rubric

Criteria	Exceeds expectations	Meets expectations	Below expectations
Execution (LO 1, 2)	Uses materials and processes to create an artwork	Material outcome evidences use of relevant materials and processes	Unfinished or incomplete work
Experimentation (LO 2)	Tries and evaluates multiple approaches to one or more materials and processes	Uses unfamiliar materials and processes	Unfinished or incomplete work

Assessment Task 2

Cast, Ferment

Value: 20%

Presentation Requirements: Install Model, Cast, and Ferment in the Sculpture & Spatial Practice Modelling Room by 3pm

Rubric: Same as Assessment Task 1

Assessment Task 3

Week 1-6 Research and Documentation Blog

Value: 10%

Presentation Requirements: Weekly research and documentation blog is to be completed online by the end of Week 6. Details will be provided on Wattle.

Rubric

Criteria	Exceeds expectations	Meets expectations	Below expectations
Relevant and complete blog posts (LO 1, 3, 4)	More than 5 relevant and complete weekly posts	5 weekly posts that are relevant and complete Complete: 100 words per week plus images Relevance (one or more): Discusses posthumanist art practices that engage with materials and technologies as active agents Substantiates studio outcomes Conducts research into materials and technologies used in posthumanist art practice	Fewer than 5 relevant or complete weekly posts

Assessment Task 4

Week 7-12 Research and Documentation Blog

Value: 10%

Presentation Requirements: Weekly research and documentation blog is to be completed online by the end of Week 12. Details will be provided on Wattle.

Rubric: Same as Assessment Task 3

Assessment Task 5

Major Project

Value: 50%

Presentation Requirements: Work to be installed by on November 9. Time and location to be specified on the course Wattle.

Rubric

Criteria	Exceeds expectations	Meets expectations	Below expectations
Experimentation (LO 1)	Uses these methods to question conventional approaches and the status quo Takes risks in form and content	Uses one or more methods of posthumanist art practices Takes some risk in form or content	Relies on conventional approaches that reproduce status quo No conceptual or formal risks taken
Contextualisation (LO 2, 3, 4)	Works cited are relevant, drawn from supplementary sources, independent research into quality sources Critical engagement with relevant art practices and theories in sources across form and content	7-10 relevant works cited from lectures or reading Sources evidence critical engagement with posthumanist art practices and active materials	Fewer than 7 works cited Works cited are not relevant to the project Lack of engagement with posthumanist art practices
Execution (LO 2)	Resolved artwork where minimal changes required for exhibition	Work can be experienced and accessed by a viewer Installation supports the artwork	Work is too unfinished to engage with as an artwork Installation of the work undermines its reception
Engagement with posthumanist art practices (LO 2)	Chosen methods and materials are used to critically engage with posthumanist art practices and theories	Engages with posthumanist art practices, theories, and/ or their use of active materials	Doesn't engage with posthumanist art practices or related theories, processes, and materials

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

• Late submission not permitted. If submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date is not permitted, a mark of 0 will be awarded.
• Late submission permitted. Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Access and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students