Introduction to History of Art and Design
UndergraduateCUR-VIS182025
Travel back through centuries of art history. Traverse European and Eastern countries as you learn what inspired and influenced artistic movements. Identify hallmarks of artworks created under the banner of modernism, romanticism and expressionism.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Enrol by
- 24 Aug 2025
- Entry requirements
- Prior study needed
- Duration
- 13 weeks
- Start dates
- 3 Mar 2025,
- 2 June 2025,
- 1 Sept 2025,
- 1 Dec 2025
- Price from
- $1,286
- Upfront cost
- $0
- Loan available
- HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP available
Introduction to History of Art and Design
About this subject
At the completion of this subject students will be able to:
- research the major developments in Western art and design history and explain how they were related to the cultural context in which they occurred.
- demonstrate and present clear articulation of research-based analysis using appropriate technologies.
- demonstrate the ability to synthesise new knowledge in the analysis of any art and design work.
- demonstrate the ability to research for the analysis of an art and design work.
- Western Philosophical Thought
- Indian art
- Chinese and Japanese art
- Islamic art
- Gothic art
- The Renaissance
- The Reformation and Counter Reformation
- Neo-classicism
- Romanticism
- Realism to Impressionism
- Expressionism
- Modernism
This subject was previously known as VIS18 Historical Issues in Art and Design.
This subject provides students with an introduction to some of the key ideas and events in the history of art and design. It is intended as a basic introduction to the history of ideas and the effects such ideas have had on the recent evolution of art and design. While this unit has a Euro-centric bias, ideas from other cultural histories are introduced. Students are taught the visual literacy and analysis needed to be able to understand historical and contemporary art and design.
Please Note: If it’s your first time studying a Curtin University subject you’ll need to complete their compulsory ‘Academic Integrity Program’. It only takes two hours to complete online, and provides you with vital information about studying with Curtin University. The Academic Integrity Program is compulsory, so if it’s not completed your subject grades will be withheld.
Find out more about the Academic Integrity module.
- Image Analysis (30%)
- Essay (45%)
- Online Test (25%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
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Entry requirements
Others
You must have a high level of proficiency in the English language and competent essay writing skills.
Additional requirements
No additional requirements
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.
Student feedback
24 student respondents between 19 Aug 2024 - 16 June 2025.
91%of students felt the study load was manageable
95%of students felt this subject helped them gain relevant skills
What to study next?
Once you’ve completed this subject it can be credited towards one of the following courses
Bachelor of Education (Secondary Education) (The Arts - Visual Arts)
UndergraduateCUR-SAR-DEG
Undergraduate Certificate in Fine Art
UndergraduateCUR-FIA-CTF
Bachelor of Arts (Animation and Game Design)
UndergraduateCUR-AGD-DEG
Bachelor of Arts (Digital and Social Media) (Visual Culture)
UndergraduateCUR-ICV-DEG
Undergraduate Certificate in Art History
UndergraduateCUR-ART-CTF
Bachelor of Arts (Fine Art) (Visual Culture)
UndergraduateCUR-FAV-DEG
Bachelor of Arts (Professional Writing and Publishing) (Visual Culture)
UndergraduateCUR-PVC-DEG
Bachelor of Arts (Visual Culture)
UndergraduateCUR-VLC-DEG
Bachelor of Arts (Digital Experience and Interaction Design) (Visual Culture)
UndergraduateCUR-DDV-DEG
UndergraduateCUR-JPN-DEG
UndergraduateGRF-ART-DEG
Bachelor of Arts (Korean Studies)
UndergraduateCUR-KOR-DEG
Bachelor of Arts (Digital and Social Media)
UndergraduateCUR-NET-DEG
UndergraduateCUR-FIA-DEG
Bachelor of Arts (Professional Writing and Publishing)
UndergraduateCUR-PWP-DEG
UndergraduateCUR-CHN-DEG
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