ARTH 3021OL - The Art and Science of Leonardo da Vinci

Online - Semester 2 - 2021

Leonardo da Vinci's innovations in the theory and practice of drawing and painting not only transformed Renaissance art, but also intersected with his experiments and discoveries in science and technology. This course will explore the origins, functions, and evolving significance of Leonardo's polymathic practice as an artist, scientist, and engineer from his early career in Florence to the patronage of the dukes of Milan and final years working for the king of France.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code ARTH 3021OL
    Course The Art and Science of Leonardo da Vinci
    Coordinating Unit Art History
    Term Semester 2
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s Online
    Units 3
    Contact 3 hours per week (structured online learning)
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Assumed Knowledge ARTH 1001 (No assumed knowledge required as an external elective course)
    Quota ARTH 1001 (No pre-requisite required as an external elective course)
    Course Description Leonardo da Vinci's innovations in the theory and practice of drawing and painting not only transformed Renaissance art, but also intersected with his experiments and discoveries in science and technology. This course will explore the origins, functions, and evolving significance of Leonardo's polymathic practice as an artist, scientist, and engineer from his early career in Florence to the patronage of the dukes of Milan and final years working for the king of France.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Lisa Mansfield

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    1 Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of multidisciplinary connections between art, science, and technology in Italian Renaissance society and culture, with a focus on the innovations of Leonardo da Vinci. 
    2 Analyse and interpret visual and textual primary sources relevant to research questions.
    3 Communicate critically and creatively in writing and speaking using discipline-specific vocabulary. 
    4 Apply innovative theoretical and methodological approaches in collaborative problem-solving.
    5 Construct a research project on a prescribed topic requiring competent application of basic methods and theories used in art historical research and writing practice. 
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)
    Deep discipline knowledge
    • informed and infused by cutting edge research, scaffolded throughout their program of studies
    • acquired from personal interaction with research active educators, from year 1
    • accredited or validated against national or international standards (for relevant programs)
    1-5
    Critical thinking and problem solving
    • steeped in research methods and rigor
    • based on empirical evidence and the scientific approach to knowledge development
    • demonstrated through appropriate and relevant assessment
    2,3
    Teamwork and communication skills
    • developed from, with, and via the SGDE
    • honed through assessment and practice throughout the program of studies
    • encouraged and valued in all aspects of learning
    3, 4
    Career and leadership readiness
    • technology savvy
    • professional and, where relevant, fully accredited
    • forward thinking and well informed
    • tested and validated by work based experiences
    1-5
    Intercultural and ethical competency
    • adept at operating in other cultures
    • comfortable with different nationalities and social contexts
    • able to determine and contribute to desirable social outcomes
    • demonstrated by study abroad or with an understanding of indigenous knowledges
    1, 2, 5
    Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
    • a capacity for self-reflection and a willingness to engage in self-appraisal
    • open to objective and constructive feedback from supervisors and peers
    • able to negotiate difficult social situations, defuse conflict and engage positively in purposeful debate
    3, 4, 5
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    Prescribed weekly readings will be available on MyUni. 
    Recommended Resources
    The following texts (available in the Barr Smith Library in hard copies or eBooks] provide useful background context to the Italian Renaissance and the art and life of Leonardo da Vinci:

    Brotton, Jerry. The Renaissance: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2006. [eBook]. 

    Campbell, Stephen J. and Michael W. Cole, A New History of Italian Renaissance Art. London: Thames & Hudson, 2012. 

    Kemp, Martin. Leonardo da Vinci: The Marvellous Works of Nature and Man. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2006.

    Klein, Stefan and Shelley Frisch, Leonardo's Legacy: How Da Vinci Reimagined the World. New York: Da Capo Press, 2010. [eBook].

    Vasari, Giorgio. The Lives of the Artists, trans. Julia Conway Bondanella. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2006. [eBook].
    Online Learning
    This online course uses MyUni for:

    • Prescribed course readings
    • Announcements
    • Discussion forum
    • Pre-recorded lectures
    • Lecture and tutorial digital images (powerpoint presentations)
    • Assignment instructions 
    • Assignment submission (Turnitin)
    • Links to external resources (museum and gallery websites; databases for academic sources and images) 


  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    This course is delivered online (there are no lectures or tutorials on campus).

    Course content consists of pre-recorded lectures complemented by asynchronous virtual seminars (Zoom). 


    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    Structured Learning Online Total Hours
    3 hours per week MyUni activities  36 hours per semester
    Self-Directed Learning Online Total Hours 
    6 hours reading per week 72 hours per semester
    2 hours research per week 24 hours per semester
    2 hours assignment preparation per week 24 hours per semester
    TOTAL HOURS  156 HOURS PER SEMESTER
    Learning Activities Summary
    Tentative Weekly Schedule
    Week 1 Introduction to Course  Course Induction 
    Week 2 The Art and Life of Leonardo da Vinci  The Leonardo Toolkit
    Week 3 Young Leonardo in Verrocchio's Workshop Visual Analysis Workshop
    Week 4 Leonardo and Nature  Botany and Geology 
    Week 5 Leonardo and the Human Body Anatomy and Physiognomy 
    Week 6 Leonardo's Theories of Drawing and Painting The Last Supper 
    Week 7 High Renaissance Art  Leonardo's Rivals 
    Week 8 Portraits and Patrons From Sforza Milan to the French Court  
    Week 9 Engineering Leonardo's World Machines and Maps
    Week 10 Leonardo's Battlefield Weapons and Warfare
    Week 11 Rethinking Leonardo's Masterpieces Research Essay Workshop 
    Week 12 Learning from Leonardo's Polymathic Creativity  Course Conclusion 
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Assessment Task Task Type Due Weighting Learning Outcome
    Visual Analysis Formative and Summative

    During semster

    35% 1, 2, 3, 5 
    Annotated Bibliography Formative and Summative During semster 15% 3, 5 
    Research Essay Formative and Summative End of semester 50% 1-5
    Assessment Related Requirements
    Students must submit all assignments to pass the course.
    Assessment Detail
    Assignment Description  Word Count
    Visual Analysis Students will be required to write a visual analysis of a single work of art by Leonardo da Vinci from a prescribed list of images. 1,000 words
    Annotated Bibliography Students will be required to write an annotated bibliography on 4-8 key academic sources relevant to the Research Essay question.  800 words
    Research Essay  Students will be required to write a research essay from a list of prescribed questions, including a synopsis with thesis statement. 3,200 words 
    Submission
    Assignments must be submitted in Turnitin on MyUni by midnight of the due date.
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

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