VCE Arts & Technology
Theatre Studies concentrates on creatively bringing a script to life on the stage and performing it to an audience, collaboratively and individually.
Stagecraft elements are explored and practical workshops in design, direction and acting are undertaken with the aim of understanding historical and contemporary theatrical styles and conventions.
They work in at least 2 of these 3 production roles:
- designer (one or more areas):
Unit 1 Theatre Studies: Pre-modern theatre styles and conventions
This unit focuses on the application of acting, direction and design in relation to theatre styles from the pre-modern era, that is, works prior to the 1920s. Students creatively and imaginatively work in production roles with scripts from the pre-modern era of theatre, focusing on at least three distinct theatre styles and their conventions. They study innovations in theatre production in the pre-modern era and apply this knowledge to their own works. Students develop knowledge and skills about theatre production processes including dramaturgy, planning, development and performance to an audience and apply this to their work.
- AREA OF STUDY 1 Exploring pre-modern theatre styles and conventions
- AREA OF STUDY 2 Interpreting scripts
- AREA OF STUDY 3 Analysing a play in performance
Unit 2 Theatre Studies: Modern theatre styles and conventions
Students examine the innovations made in theatre during the Modern Era. Three or more plays which use different theatrical styles and conventions are studied and brought to life on the stage, using the appropriate stagecraft elements (set, costume, lighting and multimedia, sound, prop, hair and make-up design). Students critically reflect on their own process and performance. They attend and analyse a professional performance of a play from the Modern Era.
- AREA OF STUDY 1 Modern theatre styles and conventions
- AREA OF STUDY 2 Interpreting scripts
- AREA OF STUDY 3 Analysing and evaluating a theatre production
Unit 3: Producing Theatre
In this unit students develop an interpretation of a script through the three stages of the theatre production process: planning, development and presentation. Students specialise in two production roles, working collaboratively, creatively and imaginatively to realise the production of a script. They use knowledge developed during this process to analyse and evaluate the ways work in production roles can be used to interpret script excerpts previously unstudied. Students develop knowledge and apply elements of theatre composition, and safe and ethical working practices in the theatre.
- AREA OF STUDY 1 Staging Theatre
- AREA OF STUDY 2 Interpreting a script
- AREA OF STUDY 3 Analysing and evaluating theatre
Unit 4: Performance interpretation
In this unit students study a scene and an associated monologue. They initially develop an interpretation of the prescribed scene. This work includes exploring theatrical possibilities and using dramaturgy across the three stages of the production process. Students then develop a creative and imaginative interpretation of the monologue that is embedded in the specified scene. To realise their interpretation, they work in production roles as an actor and director, or as a designer.
- AREA OF STUDY 1 Researching and presenting theatrical possibilities
- AREA OF STUDY 2 Interpreting a monologue
- AREA OF STUDY 3 Analysing and evaluating a performance
VCE Media provides students with the opportunity to analyse media concepts, forms and products in an informed and critical way. Students consider narratives, technologies and processes from various perspectives including an analysis of structure and features. They examine debates about the media’s role in contributing to and influencing society. Students integrate these aspects of the study through the individual design and production of their media representations, narratives and products.
VCE Media supports students to develop and refine their planning and analytical skills, critical and creative thinking and expression, and to strengthen their communication skills and technical knowledge. Students gain knowledge and skills in planning and expression valuable for participation in and contribution to contemporary society. This study leads to pathways for further theoretical and/or practical study at tertiary level.
Unit 1: Media forms, representations and Australian stories
Students analyse how representations, narrative and media codes and conventions contribute to the construction of the media realities. They develop research skills to investigate and analyse selected narratives focusing on the influence of media professionals on production genre and style.
- AREA OF STUDY 1 Media representations
- AREA OF STUDY 2 Media forms in production
- AREA OF STUDY 3 Australian stories
Unit 2: Narrative across media forms
Students further develop an understanding of the concept of narrative in media products and forms in different contexts. Narratives in both traditional and newer forms include film, television, sound, news, print, photography, games, and interactive digital forms.
- AREA OF STUDY 1 Narrative, style and genre
- AREA OF STUDY 2 Narratives in production
- AREA OF STUDY 3 Media and change
Unit 3: Media narratives and pre-production
In this unit students explore stories that circulate in society through media narratives. They consider the use of media codes and conventions to structure meaning, and how this construction is influenced by the social, cultural, ideological and institutional contexts of production, distribution, consumption and reception. Students assess how audiences from different periods of time and contexts are engaged by, consume and read narratives using appropriate media language.
- AREA OF STUDY 1 Narrative and ideology
- AREA OF STUDY 2 Media production development
- AREA OF STUDY 3 Media production design
Unit 4: Media production and issues in the media
In this unit students focus on the production and post-production stages of the media production process, bringing the media production design created in Unit 3 to its realisation. They refine their media production in response to feedback and through personal reflection, documenting the iterations of their production as they work towards completion.
- AREA OF STUDY 1 Media production
- AREA OF STUDY 2 Agency and control in and of the media
VCE Art is designed to encourage artistic development through personal and independent exploration. It encourages students to explore ideas and to demonstrate effective working methods and a range of technical skills through a process of investigation and experimentation.
Students may work in one or more of a range of studio forms – including drawing, photography, painting, printmaking, computer arts, sculpture/installation, textiles and fashion/garment construction, mixed media and others as so desired by the student.
The study also aims to equip students with the ability to respond to art in an informed and articulate manner by applying the Analytical Frameworks – Formal, Personal, Cultural and Contemporary Frameworks as set out in the Art Study Design.
With the acquisition of technical and analytical skills, personal involvement and critical study, students should build an ability to interpret art and to discuss and debate the ideas and issues which it raises.
In each of these units, students prepare a visual diary of developmental work, folio of final artwork(s) and an essay or report. Units 3 and 4 also include a written end of year examination. Further detail of each of the tasks in the units is available from the Art Department.
Unit 1: Artworks, experience and meaning
- Area of Study 1: Artworks and Meaning
- Area of Study 2: Art Making and Meaning
Unit 2: Artworks and contemporary culture
- Area of Study 1: Contemporary Artworks and Culture
- Area of Study 2: Art Making and Contemporary Culture
Unit 3: Artworks, ideas and values
- Area of Study 1: Interpreting Art
- Area of Study 2: Investigation and Interpretation Through Art Making
Unit 4: Artworks, ideas and viewpoints
- Area of Study 1: Discussing Art
- Area of Study 2: Realisation and Resolution
VCE Studio Arts allows students to specialize in a particular form of studio production (such as photography, and establishes a framework for the establishment of effective art practices through an understanding and application of the design process. Students generate, explore and communicate ideas through specific studio forms and develop and use specialized skills in a range of media and techniques. The theoretical component of the study informs students’ practice through an investigation of how selected studio forms have developed an examination of artists’ working methods and a study of professional practices and art industry issues.
In Units 1 and 2, students prepare folios and written presentations. In Unit 3, students prepare a work brief, a developmental folio and a written report; In Unit 4, a folio of finished art works and a written report form the unit’s assessment. Units 3 and 4 also have an end of year examination requiring written responses.
Please Note: This course is designed specifically for students who have advanced skills in their chosen medium and who wish to apply for practical arts courses.
Unit 1: Studio Inspiration and Techniques
• Area of Study 1: Researching and Recording Ideas
• Area of Study 2: Studio Practice
• Area of Study 3: Interpreting art ideas and use of materials and techniques
Unit 2: Studio Exploration and Concepts
• Area of Study 1: Exploration of studio practice and development of artworks
• Area of Study 2: Ideas and styles in artworks
Unit 3: Studio Practices and Processes
• Area of Study 1: Exploration Proposal
• Area of Study 2: Studio Process
• Area of Study 3: Artists and studio practices
Unit 4: Studio practice and art industry contexts
• Area of Study 1: Production and presentation of artworks
• Area of Study 2: Evaluation
• Area of Study 3: Art Industry Contexts
Visual Communication Design
Unit 1: Introduction to visual communication design
In this unit students are introduced to three stages of the design process, researching designers, generating ideas and applying design knowledge and drawing skills to develop concepts.
Topics include drawing for industrial design, interior design, architecture. A presentation that develops skills in graphic design by studying and applying the elements and principles of design. A poster design is created by students that depicts a design style in an historical context.
Unit 2: Applications of visual communication within design fields
This unit focuses on the application of visual communication design knowledge, design thinking skills and drawing methods to create visual communications to meet specific purposes in designated design fields.
Technical drawing for industrial and environmental use is applied in a folio project that utilises the design process. Practical graphic design tasks are included and may include poster designs for school events such as musicals and plays, the school diary and Pallas covers.
Unit 3: Visual communication design practices
In this unit students gain an understanding of the process designers employ to structure their thinking and communicate ideas with clients, target audiences, other designers and specialists.
Students use their research and analysis of visual communication designers to support the development of their own work. They establish a brief and apply design thinking skills through the design process.
Design from a variety of historical and contemporary design fields is considered by students to provide directions, themes or starting points for investigation and inspiration for their own work.
This is an opportunity for students to focus on an area of design of their own choice from the Environmental, Industrial and Communication fields and create a folio that illustrates their design process.
Unit 4: Visual communication design development, evaluation and presentation
The focus of this unit is the development of design concepts and two final presentations of visual communications to meet the requirements of the brief. This involves applying the design process twice to meet each of the stated needs.
Students also prepare a presentation that outlines how they have addressed the needs of the brief (‘The Pitch’).
VCE Food Studies takes an interdisciplinary approach to the exploration of food, with an emphasis on extending food knowledge and skills and building individual pathways to health and wellbeing through the application of practical food skills.
They study past and present patterns of eating, Australian and global food production systems and the many physical and social functions and roles of food.
They research economic, environmental and ethical dimensions of food and critically evaluate information, marketing messages and new trends.
Practical work is integral to Food Studies and includes cooking, demonstrations, creating and responding to design briefs, dietary analysis, food sampling and taste-testing, sensory analysis, product analysis and scientific experiments.
Unit 1: Food Origins
This unit focuses on food from historical and cultural perspectives. They consider the influence of technology and globalisation and complete topical and contemporary practical tasks.
- Area of Study 1- Food around the world
- Area of Study 2- Food in Australia
Unit 2: Food Makers
Students investigate food systems in contemporary Australia. Students produce foods, compare their foods to commercial products, design new food products and adapt recipes to suit particular needs and circumstances.
- Area of Study 1- Food industries
- Area of Study 2 - Food in the home
Unit 3: Food in Daily Life
This unit investigates the many roles and everyday influences of food. Students apply science and nutrition guidelines to the production of everyday food.
- Area of Study 1 -The science of food
- Area of Study 2- Food choice, health and wellbeing
Unit 4: Food issues, challenges and futures
Students examine debates about global and Australian food systems. Topics include: environmental issues, technology, food security and safety, food information for consumers. Students complete practical activities related to healthy food choices and sustainable / ethical food choices.
- Area of Study 1- Environment and ethics
- Area of Study 2- Navigating food information
Unit 1: Computing
This unit focuses on how individuals and organisations use, and can be affected by, information and communications technology (ICT) in their daily lives.
In Areas of Study 1 and 3, students acquire and apply a range of knowledge and skills to manipulate different data types such as numeric, text, sound and images (still and moving) to create solutions that can be used to persuade, educate, inform and entertain. In Area of Study 3, students also explore how their lives are affected by ICT, and consider strategies for managing how ICT is applied.
In Area of Study 2, students examine how networked information systems allow data to be exchanged locally and within a global environment, and explore how mobile devices, such as phones, are used within these networks.
- Area of Study 1: Data and graphic solutions
- Area of Study 2: Networks
- Area of Study 3: Collaboration and communication
Unit 2: Computing
This unit focuses on how individuals and organisations use ICT to meet a range of purposes. Students apply a range of knowledge and skills to create solutions, including those that have been produced using a programming or scripting language, to meet users’ needs. In this unit, students apply all stages of the problem-solving methodology when creating solutions.
In Area of Study 1 students analyse data from large repositories and manipulate selected data to create visualisations.
In Area of Study 2 students develop skills in using programming or scripting language software and they investigate careers that involve the use of these skills.
Working in teams is an important and effective strategy for solving problems, and this strategy is applied in Area of Study 3 when students solve problems for clients in the community
- Area of Study 1: Programming
- Area of Study 2: Data analysis and visualisation
- Area of Study 3: Data management