Art and Critical Thinking

Undergraduate | 2026

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Mode
Mode
Your studies will be on-campus, and may include some online delivery
On campus
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Area/Catalogue
VISU 1015
Course ID icon
Course ID
208212
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Campus
Online, Adelaide City Campus West
Level of study
Level of study
Undergraduate
Unit value icon
Unit value
6
Course owner
Course owner
School of Art and Design
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Course level
1
Work Integrated Learning course
Work Integrated Learning course
No
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Inbound study abroad and exchange
Inbound study abroad and exchange
The fee you pay will depend on the number and type of courses you study.
No
University-wide elective icon
University-wide elective course
No
Single course enrollment
Single course enrolment
No

Course overview

This course aims to develop students' critical thinking and analytical skills through an introduction to a range of interpretative frameworks and theories that will be used to analyse or contextualise art and visual culture. Students will learn to apply critical thinking to a range of issues that are reflected in art and visual culture. Students will develop an understanding of various theories and interpretative frameworks that can be used to contextualise and analyse art and visual culture, including ideology, poststructuralism, feminism and the gaze, the abject, the sublime, panopticism, gender performativity, postcolonialism, race theory, and cyborg theory. This course has an emphasis on late 20th century to 21st century art and visual culture.

Course learning outcomes

  • Express an understanding of the principles and context of the theoretical frameworks relevant to art and visual culture
  • Apply the theories as an interpretative or analytical framework and make meaningful connections between the theories and examples of art and visual culture
  • Demonstrate a critical approach to the analysis and contextualisation of art and visual culture
  • Develop advanced academic writing skills for research in the fields of art and visual culture

Prerequisite(s)

  • must have completed all of VISU1009 Reading Visual Culture 1/VISU1014 Reading Visual Culture 2

Corequisite(s)

N/A

Antirequisite(s)

  • must not have completed VSAR3016 Art and Critical Thinking at the University of South Australia

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If you are studying in a Professional Pathway Psychology or Clinical Psychology program, please refer to the Student Contributions amounts published here.

The Student Contribution amount displayed below is for students commencing a new program from 2021 onwards. If you are continuing in a program you commenced prior to 1 January 2021, or are commencing an Honours degree relating to an undergraduate degree you commenced prior to 1 January 2021, you may be charged a different Student Contribution amount from the amount displayed below. Please check the Student Contribution bands for continuing students here. If you are an international student, or a domestic student studying in a full fee paying place, and are continuing study that you commenced in 2025 or earlier, your fees will be available here before enrolments open for 2026.