ARTH 7021OL - The Art and Science of Leonardo da Vinci

Online - Semester 2 - 2023

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 7021OL
    Course The Art and Science of Leonardo da Vinci
    Coordinating Unit Art History
    Term Semester 2
    Level Postgraduate Coursework
    Location/s Online
    Units 6
    Contact 3 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Assessment Comparative Visual Analysis 25%, Research Proposal 25%, Research Essay 50%
    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 advanced 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 Locate, analyse and interpret visual and textual primary sources to generate independent research questions.
    3 Communicate critically, creatively, and theoretically in writing and speaking using discipline-specific vocabulary.
    4 Apply innovative theoretical and methodological approaches for independent and collaborative problem-solving to develop informed arguments and conclusions. 
    5 Construct a research project requiring application of advanced 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)

    Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth

    Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.

    1-5

    Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving

    Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.

    2, 3

    Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills

    Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.

    3, 4

    Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness

    Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.

    1-5

    Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency

    Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.

    1, 2, 5

    Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence

    Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.

    3, 4, 5
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    Prescribed weekly readings will be available on MyUni.

    Recommended Resources
    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 essential course materials and is complemented by Zoom tutorial discussions.

    Essential course materials on MyUni include:

    • Pre-recorded lectures (Echo 360)
    • Lecture and Zoom tutorial images (PowerPoint presentations)
    • Prescribed course readings
    • Announcements
    • Discussion forums
    • 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 Zoom tutorials.
    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
    8 hours reading per week 96 hours per semester
    7 hours research per week 84 hours per semester
    7 hours assignment preparation per week 84 hours per semester
    TOTAL HOURS  312 HOURS PER SEMESTER
    Learning Activities Summary
    Week  Topic 
    1 Course Induction: The Leonardo Toolkit
    2 The Art and Life of Leonardo da Vinci
    3 Young Leonardo in Verrocchio's Workshop: Visual Analysis Workshop
    4 Leonardo and Nature: Botany and Geology
    5 Leonardo and the Body: Anatomy and Physiognomy 
    6 Leonardo's Theories of Drawing and Painting: The Last Supper 
    7 High Renaissance Art: Leonardo's Rivals 
    8 Leonardo's Portraits and Patrons: From Sforza Milan to the French Court
    9 Engineering Leonardo's World: Machines and Maps: Research Essay Workshop 
    10 Leonardo's Battlefield: Weapons and Warfare 
    11 Rethinking Leonardo's Masterpieces: Mona Lisa 
    12 Learning from Leonardo's Polymathic Creativity: Assignment preparation 
    Specific Course Requirements
    N/A
  • 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
    Comparative Visual Analysis Formative or Summative

    During semester

    25% 2, 3, 5 
    Research Proposal Formative and Summative During semester 25% 1, 2, 3 
    Research Essay Summative  End of semester 50% 1-5 
    Assessment Detail
    Assignment Description Word count
    Comparative Visual Analysis Students will be required to locate two works of art, one by Leonardo da Vinci and the other by a different High Renaissance master. to write a 1000-word comparative visual analysis. 1,000 words
    Research Proposal Students will be required to write a research proposal for the research essay, which can either contextualise the work of art by Leonardo da Vinci used in the visual analysis assignment or focuses on a new topic relevant to the course content, including an annotated bibliography, list of images, and proposed research essay question to be negotiated with and approved by the Course Coordinator. 1,000 words
    Research Essay Students will be required to write a research essay based on the research proposal, including a synopsis with thesis statement. 4,000 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
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