Visualising "Nature": Landscape, Land Art and Environmental Ethics
UndergraduateLTU-ART30012025
Course information for 2025 intake View information for 2024 course intake
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Enrol by
- 20 July 2025
- Entry requirements
- Prior study needed
- Duration
- 12 weeks
- Price from
- $1,164
- Upfront cost
- $0
- Loan available
- HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP available
Visualising "Nature": Landscape, Land Art and Environmental Ethics
About this subject
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Analyse and evaluate ethical debates and ideas that apply to current ecological and environmental issues within a contemporary art context.
- Articulate and develop an understanding of changing interpretations of the landscape tradition and their relation to ecological issues.
- Demonstrate a broad understanding of how art is made and responds to its cultural, political and historical context.
- Consolidate advanced research, critical and reflective thinking and writing skills by evaluating key ideas and concepts.
- What is Nature?
- The Western Landscape Tradition
- First Nations' Art and Care for Country
- Land Art
- Environmental Ethics
- "Nature Photocraphy" and Activism
- Art and Climate Emergency
Our understanding of what is ‘nature’ or ‘natural’ is embedded in systems of value that are thoroughly mediated by representations in art and visual culture. In Western philosophical traditions, ‘nature’ has been understood as separate from ‘culture’ and as such more easily cast as a resource to be exploited for the benefit of humans. First Nations peoples have a more relational integrated worldview where human beings are but one component of a complex and ever-changing web of relationships. In this subject, you explore how these ideas are shaped by and reflected in various visual approaches over time, and critically consider the role that visualisations of ‘nature’ play in processes of social change. You focus on: the Western landscape tradition and its transformation at the encounter with Indigenous representations of Country; the influence of land art in its many manifestations on how we conceive of human/nature relations; and the long history and contemporary examples of artistic projects and interventions driven by the desire for environmental justice.
You will participate in weekly seminars to develop your own perspective and point of view, in addition to engaging with a range of learning activities.
- Textual analysis (400 words) (10%)
- Case Study 1 (800 words equiv.) (20%)
- Case Study 2 (1000 words) (30%)
- Research essay (1600 words) (40%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
The third university established in Victoria, La Trobe University has a diverse community of more than 38,000 students and staff. Its commitment to excellence in teaching and research prepares students to make a bold and positive impact in today's global community. La Trobe provides Open Universities Australia with its core tenets, entrepreneurship and sustainability.
Learn more about La Trobe University.
Explore La Trobe courses.
- QS Ranking 2024:
- 17
- Times Higher Education Ranking 2024:
- 18
Entry requirements
Equivalent subjects
You should not enrol in this subject if you have successfully completed any of the following subject(s) because they are considered academically equivalent:
LTU-ARH3ENV (Not currently available)
Others
Prerequisites: Students must have completed 60 credit points of Level one or Level two subjects.
Additional requirements
No additional requirements
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.
What to study next?
Once you’ve completed this subject it can be credited towards one of the following courses
Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Health Sciences
UndergraduateLAT-AHS-DEG
UndergraduateLAT-ART-DEG
UndergraduateLAT-HSC-DEG
UndergraduateLAT-BUS-DEG
Bachelor of Information Technology
UndergraduateLAT-TEC-DEG
Bachelor of Psychological Science
UndergraduateLAT-PYS-DEG
UndergraduateLAT-CYS-DEG
Single subject FAQs
What’s a single subject?
Single subjects are the individual components that make up a degree. With Open Universities Australia, you’re able to study many of them as stand-alone subjects, including postgraduate single subjects, without having to commit to a degree.
Each of your subjects will be held over the course of a study term, and they’ll usually require 10 to 12 hours of study each week. Subjects are identified by a title and a code, for example, Developmental Psychology, PSY20007.
How can I use single subjects to get into a full degree?
First, find the degree that you would like to study on our website.
If that degree allows entry via undergraduate subjects, there will be information about this under the Entry Requirements section. You will find a list of 2-4 open enrolment subjects you need to successfully complete to qualify for admission into that qualification.
Once you pass those subjects, you will satisfy the academic requirements for the degree, and you can apply for entry.
Our student advisors are here to help you take that next step, so don’t hesitate to reach out when you’re ready! We’ve also made it easier to figure out the right way to get started on our pathways page.
Can anyone help me choose a subject?
Our student advisors are more than happy to help you plan your online study. Get in touch with an advisor by:
How do I pay for my subjects?
You can pay up front with your credit card, or you may be eligible for a HELP loan from the Australian government depending on your citizenship status and where you’ll live during your studies.
For more information about how to pay for your studies visit our fees page or contact a student advisor.
How do I enrol?
When you’ve made your choice, click ‘Enrol now’ on the relevant course page and follow the prompts to begin your enrolment. We’ll ask you to supply some supporting documentation, including proof of your identity, your tax file number, and a unique student identifier (USI) during this process.
Your university will get in touch with you via email to confirm whether or not your application has been successful.
If you get stuck at any time, reach out to us and we’ll talk you through it.
You can also take a look at our online self-service enrolling instructions.
When is the cut-off date for enrolling?
Close of enrolment times vary between universities and subjects. You can check the cut-off dates for upcoming study terms by visiting key dates.