module specification

The module offers MFA students an opportunity for wider peer group interaction and collaboration.

The module provides students with the opportunity to develop tools to promote and interrogate their area of study within the expanded fields of digital interaction and social media – all forms of professional networking for practice.

Students will be encouraged to explore interaction between current ideas regarding the market, curating, communication and publishing with reference to their personal practice. This module will utilise current developments in online publishing platforms to publish to and reach new audiences.  Students will develop new etiquette and innovative ways to ‘connect’.

The module aims to:

• Establish within the cohort students’ critical awareness and understanding of professional networking contexts and communication practices from a range of backgrounds
• Provide students with a context from which they can deepen their understanding of their practice as a cultural construct and understand the significance to their practice of the latest developments in online media.
• Enable students to make important connections between their own area of practice and wider concerns that cut across subject disciplines. Students will be able to study alongside their peers on related courses and engage in productive discussion, debate and at times collaboration.

Contextual themes will be presented and interrogated through talks, off site visits/screenings and seminar discussions. Students will discuss best practice regarding the internet and social media and develop strategies for online content for their own practice.

As the module develops, students will take an increasing lead in relation to shaping the learning on the module. The outcome will be negotiated with each student and will take the form of a written submission together with evidence of online presence and social media interaction. Self-directed project work and collaborative practices will be encouraged.

The Learning and Teaching strategy for the module is to both inform students and actively engage them in a critical discussion and research related to the themes. This is achieved through:

Lectures – illustrated lectures will offer students a framework and key ideas in relation to the themes of the option topic.

Seminars – students will engage in critical discussion with peers following each lecture, this will enable them to share views and relate the theme of the lecture to their own experiences and practice.

Supervision – individual and group tutorials will be available to students on the module and support them to frame their area of research and develop a response either as a written submission or as a self-directed project or collaborative work.

Study Trips – students may undertake study trips during the module. These will encourage a deeper understanding of the theme in the context of contemporary culture.

Testing - new media practices and developing an individuated strategy in respect of their own work.

Access to technical facilities will enable students to test out and produce work in an appropriate medium based on their research plans.

In addition, students are encouraged to make maximum use of the resources available to them in terms of the IT provision, both within the School and the library. Blended Learning /WebLearn includes the provision of course and module information on the web, lecture notes, feedback, and blogs are used to enhance independent learning.

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

1. develop an individual response and approach to the creative challenges of art, photography or design, and be prepared to publicly defend and promote their position and work in practical, conceptual and socially responsible terms
2. critically appraise art, photography or design concepts and media within a given social, commercial, cultural and interdisciplinary framework and determine the appropriate vehicles for dissemination
3. clearly formulate and express the critical framework of ideas supporting a proposal through appropriate models of representation or written argument, including online and digital
4. reflect upon and evaluate their own contribution to contemporary art, photography or design

The final summative assessment will be based upon the submission of an accumulated weekly weblog and a social media report (2000 words) surveying and analysing current and probable future practice, and proposing how the student will use social media to communicate and disseminate their practice to chosen audiences with the desired impact, meaning and understanding

The assessment will be based upon the following criteria:

• appropriate use of research methods
• quality of analysis and interpretation
• subject knowledge and relevance
• quality of communication and presentation
• appropriate technical competence
• effective use of collaborative or independent working strategies

The key shared texts for art, photography or design students is:

Baber, A, and Waymon, L. (2007) Make Your Contacts Count Networking Know-How for Business and Career Success, Saranec Lake: Amacom

Reading and resources for art or photography students include:

Craig-Martin, M. (2015) On Being An Artist, London: Art/Books
Doherty, C. (2009) Situation: Cambridge, Mass., London: MIT Press
Farr, I. (ed.) (2012) Memory: London: Whitechapel Art Gallery

Reading and resources for design students include:

Hansson, D. H. and  Fried, J. (2013) Remote: Office Not Required New York: Vermillion
Sagar, J. (2013) The Design Career Handbook, Bath: Future
Shaughnessy, A. (2012) How to be a Graphic Designer, Without Losing Your Soul London: Laurence King
Shaughnessy A. and Brook, T. (2009) Designing Brand Identity: An Essential Guide for the Whole Branding Team, London: Unit Editions
Taylor, F. (2013) How to Create a Portfolio & Get Hired: A Guide for Graphic Designers and Illustrators, London: Laurence King