module specification

The FA6010 Methods and Enquiry 2 module supports intensive research and development towards the realisation of a major art or photographic project in the parallel module FA6XXX. The module involves students in presenting a plan for a major art or photographic project; establishing method of enquiry; research and testing approach to practice and project management.

During the module, students test out working methods, clarify their intentions, and frame their project in a contemporary context. The module involves an extensive period of independent research practice and development, to be documented and reflected on at fixed intervals before a final evaluation.

The FA6010 Methods and Enquiry 2 module is shared by, serves and sustains the Honours awards in the BA Fine Art, BA Fashion Photography, BA Painting and BA Photography courses, delivered in a seamless and integral relationship with the work of other core modules in the level. Students are expected to reflect upon and represent the complexity of critical and creative relationships between and across the body of work undertaken in Level 6, including in the Critical and Contextual Studies dissertation.

The module aims to allow students to show they have acquired coherent and detailed knowledge at the forefront of art or photography, able to deploy critical thinking with accuracy by developing and sharing method of enquiry over the course of a major project.

By planning and communicating method of enquiry to peers in advance, one of this module’s objectives is to enable students to make decisions about and solve complex and unpredictable problems encountered in a project they have initiated and executed themselves.

The module also aims to enable students to demonstrate skills in reflection on and evaluation of concepts used in method of enquiry and judgements made over materials and techniques in project, via a public dialogue with a specialist audience - their peers.

Completion and pass (120 credits) of previous level.

At the beginning of the module, its aims, key concepts and milestones will be outlined to all students. There will then be sessions on the context for and definition of individual method, approach research and enquiry into their art or photographic project work by a presentation (LO1 and LO3).

In an early session, students will set out in an unprompted plan of their own making the timings, stages and targets of their project development (LO5), in which account will be made of their life/work/study balance.

Sessions will be dedicated by tutorial and guided independent study to the framing of appropriate questions for problem-solving in the individual project work (LO2) in the same presentation.

At points throughout the module, students will be required to reflect on learning successes and failures in studio practice (LO4), before a final evaluation at the end of the module.

Scheduled teaching ensures that independent study is effective and addresses the learning outcomes and assessment tasks. Students are expected to (and to have the opportunity to) continue with their studies outside of scheduled classes. There will be a range of learning strategies deployed and individual learning styles will be accommodated. The module’s learning outcomes, its contents and delivery, have been scrutinised and will be regularly reviewed to ensure an inclusive approach to pedagogic practice.

The module and course utilise the University’s blended learning platform to support and reinforce learning, to foster peer-to-peer communication and to facilitate tutorial support for students. Reflective learning is promoted through assessment items and interim formative feedback points that ask students to reflect on their progress, seek help where they identify the opportunity for improvement in learning strategies and outcomes, and make recommendations to themselves for future development. Throughout the module, students build a body of work, including reflections on progress and achievement.

The School’s programme of employability events and embedded work-related learning within the curriculum supports students’ personal development planning. Through these initiatives, students are increasingly able, as they progress from year to year, to understand the professional environment of their disciplines, the various opportunities available to them, and how to shape their learning according to their ambitions.

On completing the module, the student should be able to:

1. set out the cultural, political or economic context for individual art or photographic practice by explaining that context in a presentation to peers;
2. solve problems in an art or photographic practice by framing appropriate questions, using ideas and techniques at the forefront of fine art or photography;
3. define to peers the parameters of an individual method of enquiry and how these are to be applied to a major art or photographic project;
4. connect learning experience to improvement of future performance by critical thinking in reflection and evaluation;
5. set out an unprompted budget and schedule for major project work.

The module is assessed first on the methods, approaches, research and enquiry to be used in project work. Assessment will in the autumn term be of one oral presentation of proposed project work, explaining method of enquiry in major project and illustrated by slides. The student submits presentation in digital files on Weblearn by summative assessment deadline. The module is also assessed via documentation of, reflection on and evaluation of studio practice learning at 3 points between end of January and final submission.

The assessment strategy includes formative assessments throughout the Level, with tutorial feedback designed to encourage and help students to develop and improve their work. These will inform the student of their progress through the course. An interim review offers a specific opportunity to reflect on the work in relation to the module’s learning outcomes and this together with finished project work and supporting material will inform the assessment panel at the summative assessment at the end of the Level.

Students will evaluate their own learning on the module using the criteria given and write a short critical appraisal (summary statement) of their work. This will provide the basis for discussion at the assessment feedback session after the formal coursework assessment has taken place.

Summative assessment takes place at the end of the module. Written feedback addresses the strengths and weaknesses of individual presentations in relation to the grading criteria.

Work will be assessed against the learning outcomes in relation to the following criteria:

• Appropriate use of research methods and enquiry
• Quality of analysis and interpretation
• Knowledge of and relevance to Photography or Fine Art
• Quality of communication and presentation
• Appropriate use of problem solving, testing and experimentation
• Management of own learning and personal professional development

Core Textbooks:
Caruana, N. and Fox, A. (2013) Behind the Image, London: AVA Publishing
Rose, G. (2013) Visual Methodologies: An Introduction to the Interpretation of Visual Material, London: Sage

Additional Textbooks:
Schneider Adam, L. (2009) The Methodologies of Art: An Introduction, Abingdon : Westview Press
Schön, D. (1984) The Reflective Practitioner, New York: Basic Books

Journals:
Visual Art Research, Champaigne: University of Illinois Press
Aperture, New York: Aperture Foundation

Websites:
Associated Press Archive, https://www.ap.org/en-gb/formats/archive
International Center of Photography, https://www.icp.org/collections

Other
Time Management for Artists - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQuPVEO3ECI