Go to Courses and units

Critical Practices: Foundations unit (FSA125)

eStudent Enquire

Unit year 2026

View 2025 unit information

View previous years unit information

Quick Help

2027 Unit information is now available. View 2027 unit information

Location: Hobart, Launceston

Introduction

Critical Practices in Art: Foundations fosters the development of foundational knowledge, skills, and understanding for creative practice. This unit centres on the artist studio and the resultant works, placing a strong emphasis on materiality as a fundamental element of art creation and interpretation. The evolution of contemporary art is explored through direct engagement with real pieces in exhibitions, archives, online resources, books, and other arenas. The cultivation of critical and formal analytical skills is a core focus, encouraging a deeper understanding essential for interpreting, discussing, and producing art. The exploration of materiality takes shape in studio work, guiding you through processes that involve interaction with diverse materials and iterations. This unit introduces you to the creative arts' emphasis on praxis, where theory finds expression through hands-on creation and written exploration in the modules: Sensing (Creative Literacies), Making (Materiality Matters) and Dialogue (Communication through Art).

Summary

Unit name Critical Practices: Foundations
Unit code FSA125
Credit points 12.5
College/School Arts and Society
Creative and Performing Arts
Discipline Arts
Coordinator Ms Sarah Stubbs
Available as an elective? Yes
Delivered By University of Tasmania
Level Introductory

Availability

Location Study period Attendance options Available to
Hobart Semester 1 This unit is available through on-campus delivery Available to International Students Available to Domestic Students
Launceston Semester 1 This unit is available through on-campus delivery Available to International Students Available to Domestic Students
  • Key:
  • This unit is available through on-campus delivery On-campus
  • This unit is available through off-campus delivery Off-Campus
  • Available to International Students International students
  • Available to Domestic Students Domestic students
Note

Please check that your computer meets the minimum System Requirements if you are attending via Distance/Off-Campus.

Units are offered in attending mode unless otherwise indicated (that is attendance is required at the campus identified). A unit identified as offered by distance, that is there is no requirement for attendance, is identified with a nominal enrolment campus. A unit offered to both attending students and by distance from the same campus is identified as having both modes of study.

Key Dates

Study Period Start date Census date WW date End date
Semester 1 22/2/2026 16/3/2026 19/4/2026 13/6/2026

* 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

  • Explore diverse approaches to material experimentation.
  • Describe, contextualise and evaluate art works in relation to their form, content, and context.
  • Create finished works in response to a brief that show the development of coherent visual and cultural literacy
  • Work collaboratively, constructively, and respectfully within group and individual learning contexts.

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
109900 $1,192.00 $1,020.00 not applicable $2,972.00
  • 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

Mutual Exclusions

You cannot enrol in this unit as well as the following:

FSA115 Critical Practices in Art: Encounters¿

Teaching

Teaching Pattern

Weekly on campus 3 hr workshops

AssessmentMaterial Diary (25%)|Presentation (25%)|Folio (50%)
TimetableView the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable

Textbooks

Required

Required readings will be listed in the unit outline prior to the start of classes.

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