Interdisciplinary theory teaching: can one size really fit all?

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to report on and discuss a course for National Diploma students recently introduced by the Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture at the University of Johannesburg. The Faculty has diverse departments including Architecture, Fine Arts and six design departments, namely, Multimedia Design, Graphic Design, Industrial Design, Fashion Design, Jewellery Design and Interior Design. After years of being housed in geographically dispersed locations, the Faculty recently relocated to one building, and is in the process of consolidating and rationalising its teaching programmes. One area of rationalisation has been modules in the history and theory of art and design, which have been reworked to provide a single offering to which most departments could subscribe. The course, titled Contextual Studies, consists of year modules to be phased in across three years from 2009 onward.