At the beginning of the twenty first century, the concept of memory is hotly debated: some argue that we have become locked into a state of cultural amnesia, others argue that the need to remember has become a cultural malaise. This multi-disciplinary course explores the intersections between public and historical memory in the construction of national identity, the role of memory in the archive and the exploration of memory in contemporary visual practice, film and fiction.

By the end of this course students should be able to:

1. Demonstrate knowledge of important theoretical debates about memory and how they are mobilised in public discourses and institutions such as the memorial and the museum

2. Relate theoretical debates about memory to developments in the visual arts and their own research interests.

3. Present written and oral arguments about the ways in which memory and the past is configured in public discourses and institutions and within the visual arts.

4. Compare and evaluate artworks relevant to individual research interests.

Oral Presentation: 30% (1500 wd equivalent): [LO's 1 - 4]

Essay: 60%  (4,500 wds) [LO's 1 - 4]

Attendance and Participation: 10% [LO's 1 - 4]

10 hours per week comprised of one 2 hour lecture each week and a one hour tutorial.  There will be four additional tutorials for graduate students each semester.  The remainder will be spent in independent study.

Enrolment in a graduate cw program.

no.

A reading list will be published on the course Wattle site prior to commencement of the course.

There are no special requirements.