 Price$200 |  Duration3 hours |  DeliveryOnline |  StartsAnytime |
About this course
Explore how artists, writers and storytellers have imagined and represented Antarctica over the past two centuries. The course examines the relationship between art, literature, science and the human experience of the continent, from early expedition artists and natural history illustration to novels, photography, film, music and contemporary creative works.
This comprehensive short course is part of the HX | UTAS Antarctic short course series, an educational partnership between HX and the University of Tasmania's Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS). It is designed for anyone interested in literature, history, the visual arts or Antarctica itself. This course stands alone, so no prior HX | UTAS study is required.
The course is organised into seven parts. It shows how artistic and literary representations have shaped understanding of the continent and reflected changing attitudes towards exploration, wilderness, scientific discovery and environmental protection. Where a topic is covered in more depth elsewhere, you will be directed to the relevant companion course.
The course takes around three hours to complete. By taking this course, you are helping to fund the next generation of Antarctic researchers. A portion of your enrolment supports travel grants that enable researchers to reach departure ports, join HX expedition vessels and conduct new research, contributing to Antarctica's future as a continent for peace and science.
Course Structure
Explore how artists and naturalists documented Antarctica's landscapes and wildlife during early voyages of discovery.
This part examines how drawing, painting and early photography contributed to scientific knowledge and the visual record of the far south.
Discover how expedition artists, photographers and cinematographers documented exploration during the 'Heroic Era'.
This part explores how their images recorded life in extreme conditions and helped expeditions share their experiences with audiences at home.
Examine how writers have encountered and imagined Antarctica.
This part covers expedition accounts, memoirs and travel writing, and fiction that has imagined the continent through adventure, horror, science fiction, utopian visions and alternative histories.
Explore how documentaries, historical dramas, feature films and television have represented Antarctica.
This part shows how filmmakers have brought the continent's wildlife, expedition histories and isolated communities to audiences around the world.
Investigate the role of music and sound in Antarctic life.
This part ranges from maintaining expedition morale to how composers and sound artists have interpreted the continent's soundscapes and collaborated with scientists.
Discover how contemporary artists respond to Antarctica.
This part covers the work of photographers, sculptors, dancers and multimedia practitioners that engages with scientific research, human perception, environmental change and the continent's significance as a place of peace and international cooperation.
Learn how artists and writers have experienced the continent firsthand.
This part examines the residencies offered by national Antarctic programs, tour operators and other organisations, the creative works they have inspired, and how the arts can deepen public understanding of Antarctica.
What you will learn
Learn how artists, writers, photographers, filmmakers and musicians have shaped the ways we imagine and understand Antarctica, and how cultural representations have influenced perceptions of its landscapes, history and scientific significance.
You can work through the seven parts at your own pace, in one sitting or one part at a time. The course includes interviews with researchers, a glossary to help you understand specialist terminology, and a quiz that allows you to test your understanding. Completing the quiz with a score of 50% or higher makes you eligible for a Certificate of Completion, and you can attempt the quiz as many times as you like.
You can also combine this course with others in the Antarctic short course series to build your own bespoke Antarctic learning journey.
Interested in further study?
Expand your Antarctic knowledge with our HX | UTAS Antarctic short course series.