AHT2440 History and theory of photography, film and video
Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture
AHT2440 History and theory of photography, film and video is a level 2, 6-credit-point, undergraduate unit from the Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture, offered in 2026 in Semester 2 at Caulfield. It has no prerequisites.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2026
- Semester 2
- Caulfield
- Assessment
- No exam
- 3 tasks
This is the 2026 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
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Requisites
Before AHT2440
Corequisites
Pass these before, or take them in the same semester.
Prohibitions
You can't enrol if you have passed any of these.
After AHT2440
No unit lists AHT2440 as a prerequisite in the 2026 handbook.
Enrolment rules
Prohibitions: AHT3440, VSA2440, VSA3440, CLS2440, CLS3440, TAD3440.
You must have completed at least 12 credit points at first-year level in Art History and Theory, or approval from Chief Examiner.
Equivalent units
The same content under another code. Only one of them counts.
Overview
This unit surveys the history of photography, film and video from the mid-19th century until today. It introduces important theories of how photography, film and video function socially and artistically, and considers how they relate to one other. It examines how the use and understanding of photography, film and video have differed over time and between cultures, and concludes with a detailed examination of their role in the digital era.
Offerings in 2026
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Second semester | Caulfield | On campus |
Assessment
- Weekly critical responsesWritten15%
- Critical analysisWritten30%
- Final research essayWritten55%
Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
Demonstrate your knowledge of key developments in the history of photography, film and video;
- 2
Explain how photography, film and video have influenced society since the 19th century;
- 3
Provide examples of how photography, film and video have been used and understood in different ways over time and across cultures;
- 4
Demonstrate a critical understanding of key theories relating to photography, film and video;
- 5
Critically interpret a broad range of photographs, films and videos.
Workload and teaching
- Tutorials24 hours
- Seminars12 hours
- Teaching approachOnline learning
- Teaching approachPeer assisted learning
- Teaching approachActive learning
- Teaching approachResearch activities
12 hours per week including 3 contact hours plus 9 hours of independent study.
Where it fits
AHT2440 is part of 1 area of study in the 2026 handbook.
Contacts
- Chief Examiners
- Dr Luke Smythe
- Unit Coordinators
- Dr Luke Smythe
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for AHT2440?
None, but you must take OHS1000 before or alongside it.
When is AHT2440 offered?
In 2026, AHT2440 runs in Semester 2 at Caulfield.
Does AHT2440 have an exam?
No. AHT2440 has 3 assessment tasks and no exam.
Which majors and minors include AHT2440?
AHT2440 is part of Art history and theory.