Foundations of Arts Education unit (EMT552)

Online

Introduction

This unit will introduce you to key theories and research praxis in arts education. Beginning with an exploration of the philosophical underpinnings of the role and value of arts, culture and education in society, you will examine research evidence of the attributes and affordances of quality arts education for academic, personal and social learning. You will investigate key issues in the historical development of at least two arts education disciplines and subjects (i.e.drama, music, media arts, visual arts) and become familiar with current discourses and debates articulated in key Australian and international arts education and curriculum scholarship. By the end of the unit, you will have developed a foundation understanding of the interrelated fields of arts, culture and education, and familiarity with critical studies and contemporary approaches to scholarship in arts education.

Summary

Unit name	Foundations of Arts Education
Unit code	EMT552
Credit points	12.5
College/School	Arts and Society Faculty of Education
Discipline	Education
Coordinator	Associate Professor Abbey MacDonald
Delivered By	University of Tasmania
Level	Postgraduate

Availability

Location	Study period	Attendance options		Available to
Online	Semester 2

Note

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Key Dates

Study Period	Start date	Census date	WW date	End date
Semester 2	5/7/2026	27/7/2026	30/8/2026	24/10/2026

* The Final WW Date is the final date from which you can withdraw from the unit without academic penalty, however you will still incur a financial liability (refer to How do I withdraw from a unit? for more information).

Unit census dates currently displaying for 2026 are indicative and subject to change. Finalised census dates for 2026 will be available from the 1st October 2025. Note census date cutoff is 11.59pm AEST (AEDT during October to March).

About Census Dates

Learning Outcomes

• Identify, analyse and respond to current issues surrounding the role and value of the arts in contemporary society and the ways in which these inform arts education.
• Recognise and articulate the distinct value of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Arts to Australian cultural and educational practice.
• Recognise and distinguish between the elements and processes of art form(s).
• Review, analyse and synthesise research relevant to the ways in which students learn in the arts.
• Interpret the research evidence for the benefits of arts education for the purposes of advocacy.

Fee Information

Field of Education	Commencing Student Contribution 1,3	Grandfathered Student Contribution 1,3	Approved Pathway Course Student Contribution 2,3	Domestic Full Fee 4
070105	$592.00	$592.00	not applicable	$2,562.00

• Available as a Commonwealth Supported Place
• HECS-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility³
• FEE-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility⁴

¹ Please refer to more information on student contribution amounts.
² Please refer to more information on eligibility and Approved Pathway courses.
³ Please refer to more information on eligibility for HECS-HELP.
⁴ Please refer to more information on eligibility for FEE-HELP.

If you have any questions in relation to the fees, please contact UniConnect or more information is available on StudyAssist.

Please note: international students should refer to What is an indicative Fee? to get an indicative course cost.

Requisites

Concurrent Prerequisites

EMT502

Teaching

Teaching Pattern	Please note this unit is offered in fully external mode and administered via MyLO. As the first of four fully online units that comprise the MTeach Arts Specialisation, an approach to learning that embodies the following are essential to supporting your success:  • high levels of independence, organisation and responsibility for your own personal study plan,   • consistent and regular interaction with, and contribution to the online learning experience and all associated activities, and;   • engagement with the full complement of learning resources and experiences. Your teacher will flag opportunities and encourage you to participate in face to face and practice-based interactions, including (but not limited to) Teacher Professional Learning organisations’ scheduled events and other one-off Faculty and Arts industry events.  Content for EMT552 Foundations of Arts Education is assembled across four modules.  Module One involves a short introductory experience where we will be exploring unit outcomes, assessment opportunities, engaging with the design of the unit. Module Two (Experiencing Elements and Processes of Arts Education) provides purposeful scheduled space within the semester for you to seek out and participate in experiential arts creating and performing opportunities that are accessible to you.  For Module Three, we ruminate the question ‘what is “Australian” about an Australian Arts Curriculum?’ in relation to the three dimensions of the Australian Curriculum (Learning area, General Capabilities and Cross Curriculum Priorities).  In Module Four, students investigate the affordances of creativity and approaches for navigating ethical considerations while teaching the creative arts.
Assessment	Arts Education debate and position statement (50%)|Arts practice-based experiment and discussion (50%)
Timetable	View the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable

Textbooks

Required

In this unit, downloadbale PDFs of each week's required readings are embedded in the weekly/modular content in MyLO.

Recommended

You are encouraged to join the relevant arts teacher professional associations for your area of specialisation. For example, if you live in Tasmania:   • Drama Tas for dance and drama educators: https://www.dramatas.org.au/ • ATOM Australian Teachers of Media Victoria for media arts educators: https://atomvic.org/     • TATA Tasmania Art Teachers Association for visual arts educators: https://www.tata.org.au/services   • ASME Australian Society for Music Education Tasmanian Chapter: https://www.asme.edu.au/p/membership/ and/or TMTA Tasmanian Music Teachers Association: https://www.tmta.com.au/

The University reserves the right to amend or remove courses and unit availabilities, as appropriate.