3AHIS

NCEA Level 3 Art History

Course Description

Head of Faculty - Kaihautuu: Miss E. Hansen.

Art History makes you think and question “what is culture?” Students will participate in discussions and contribute to the classes collective, growing knowledge and understanding of the meaning and styles of art and how this fit into broader context of history and culture. 

Art History develops sophisticated skills in visual literacy, making you examine, argue, respond, critique, analyse and interpret images in a world that is saturated with imagery.  Broad and deep research provides a deeper understanding of different cultural traditions and historical periods and teaches us the importance of creativity, freedom of imagination and art. It helps us understand the theories, contexts and values of different times and places.  Although the course is named 'Art History', much of the work studied links to the recent past and contemporary work and societies.

You will discover visual evidence of who and where you came from through artworks from a variety of cultures, including New Zealand, developing confidence and a strong cultural identity.  

Art History will help you appreciate art, know what is “good art,” visit exhibitions, buy and collect art and appreciate the sights and the art of other cultures when you travel. It will broaden your mind to embrace new perspectives and ways of seeing. Along the journey you may discover a passion for the scientific aspects of art restoration, or curating exhibitions or writing about art.

Students complete three internals during the year worth four credits each, focusing on research, theory (post-colonial theory) and forming an argument.  At the end of the year students can sit one or two external exams, focusing on style or iconography (symbolism in Art), or the context of the art.  In Art History we cover parts of Three Topics of study:

  • The Early Italian Renaissance

  • Modernism to Post-Modernism

  • Contemporary Diversity - Art after 2000

Each topic has a set-list of artists to be studied. These areas will be the focus of internals and at the same time prepare students for external exams.

Art History is a challenging subject that requires spelling names correctly, remembering dates, facts and details about artworks. To be successful students must attend class regularly and take good notes during class. They will also need to read and revise the notes provided in class and on Teams for homework. In their internal assessments students need to source all their quotes and reference them correctly (like they would be required to do at University).  This course is an excellent preparation for University level thinking and working, whatever your pathway forward.  Art History is a Level 3 NCEA literacy subject, and a list A University entrance subject.

Course Overview

Term 1
Topic: Intro to Art History and Early Italian Renaissance art - Intro to Religious art, style, Iconography and Context. First internal based on analysis 3 texts.

Term 2
Topic: Contemporary Diversity art since 2000 and Post colonial theory. Second internal on NZ and Pacifica art and post colonial theory.

Term 3
Topic Modernism and Post Modernism. Third internal focused on Creating a structured argument about Pop art or Feminist Art.

Term 4
Revision for Externals. It is recommended that students select one external paper to focus on for the 3 hour exam. Art History is often the last level 3 exam in the timetable so students need to commit to attend study tutorials when school has finished, till the exam at the start of December.

Recommended Prior Learning

Level 2 English or an accredited literacy subject is desirable. Students who pass two of the following at merit -  English 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, and 2.4  will be well set-up to attain credits in this course, or similar literacy skills gained from the Social Sciences subjects.  Competent reading and writing skills are required.  Visual Arts study at level 2 and/or Level 3 in the current year of study are also recommended, but this subject will appeal to many students other than those studying visual arts.

Pathway

Art history is an ideal complementary subject to all other visual arts (Painting, Printmaking, Photography, Design, Motion Special Effects). The high levels of literacy and thinking skills developed in this course make it an excellent preparation for tertiary study in any field, in particular in any of the Arts, Architecture, Humanities, Communications, Politics.
Art History will develop your awareness of the cultures in which we live, societal issues and trajectories, histories of the world from ancient through to contemporary, and of course insights into and deeper appreciation of historical and contemporary art.

Career Pathways

Assessment Information

Students will demonstrate their knowledge via written assignments. Three Internals are offered worth 4 Credits each, focused on research, post colonial theory and forming an argument.
Students are advised to select one or two of the externals offered, focusing on style and iconography (symbolism in Art) or context for the duration of the exam.
Art History students will be offered and are advised to attend study tutorials in Term 4.

Credit Information

You will be assessed in this course through all or a selection of the standards listed below.

This course is eligible for subject endorsement.

This course is approved for University Entrance.

Total Credits Available: 24 credits.
Externally Assessed Credits: 12 credits.
Internally Assessed Credits: 12 credits.

Assessment
Description
Level
Internal or
External
Credits
L1 Literacy Credits
UE Literacy Credits
Numeracy Credits
A.S. 91482 v2
NZQA Info
Art History 3.1 - Demonstrate understanding of style in art works
Level: 3
Internal or External: External
Credits: 4
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 4r,4w *
Numeracy Credits: 0
A.S. 91483 v2
NZQA Info
Art History 3.2 - Examine how meanings are communicated through art works
Level: 3
Internal or External: External
Credits: 4
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 4r *
Numeracy Credits: 0
A.S. 91484 v2
NZQA Info
Art History 3.3 - Examine the relationship(s) between art and context
Level: 3
Internal or External: External
Credits: 4
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 4r,4w *
Numeracy Credits: 0
A.S. 91486 v1
NZQA Info
Art History 3.5 - Construct an argument based on interpretation of research in art history
Level: 3
Internal or External: Internal
Credits: 4
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 4r *
Numeracy Credits: 0
A.S. 91488 v2
NZQA Info
Art History 3.7 - Examine the relationship(s) between a theory and art works
Level: 3
Internal or External: Internal
Credits: 4
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 4r *
Numeracy Credits: 0
A.S. 91489 v1
NZQA Info
Art History 3.8 - Analyse texts about art
Level: 3
Internal or External: Internal
Credits: 4
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 4r *
Numeracy Credits: 0
Credit Summary
Total Credits: 24
Total Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
Total University Entrance Literacy Credits: 24
Total Numeracy Credits: 0

Approved subject for University Entrance

Number of credits that can be used for overall endorsement: 24

Only students engaged in learning and achievement derived from Te Marautanga o Aotearoa are eligible to be awarded these subjects as part of the requirement for 14 credits in each of three subjects.