module specification

FA4003 Studio Practice 3 has a close relationship with other Level 4 course modules. Focusing upon the student’s own evolving fine art or photographic practice, this module provides an opportunity for students to develop an individual negotiated project, relating to research undertaken within other modules during the year. The module considers the relationship between method, medium and meaning, with reference to relevant theory, as well as traditional and contemporary practices.

Working under guidance, the module is structured around a negotiated project. Students are encouraged to develop as autonomous learners, taking increasing responsibility for the progress of their project work. The precise nature of the project will be negotiated and may be related to themes from the CP4010 Critical & Contextual Studies 1.

Students will be expected to consider and construct critical connections between Level 4 modules.

The module aims to:
• Introduce students to self directed research and practice within the visual arts
• Encourage creative and inquiring approaches to practice through a negotiated project
• Enable students to reflect upon their own work in relation to contemporary practice
• Support students to develop the necessary study skills relevant to introductory professional practice

Indicative Content:

• Introduction of negotiated projects through lectures, seminars, tutorials
• Testing out approaches to self directed practice
• Evaluation and reflection within group critique, tutorials and presentations
• Engagement in group activities for example: peer interviews, ‘pop-up’ exhibitions
• Structured feedback & individual guidance

The Learning and Teaching strategy for the module seeks to introduce students to UG learning and approaches to visual practice. The range of learning and teaching methods includes:

Peer review and critiques that encourage students to develop communication skills and to analyse, critically evaluate and engage with their own work and the work of others.

Student presentations that support students to interrogate their own approaches, develop presentation skills and instil a platform for debate and engagement in the wider spheres of art and culture.

Self-directed negotiated project is core to the module and is used as the basis for tutorial discussion and critique. Students will be encouraged to engage with personal development planning (PDP) to enable them to reflect upon, plan and review their own personal development.

Access to technical facilities that enable students to test out and produce work in an appropriate medium.

In addition, students are encouraged to make maximum use of the resources available to them in terms of the IT provision, both within the Faculty 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 completing the module, students should be able to:
1. Initiate and test proposals and approaches to practice;
2. Make independent judgements and demonstrate critical awareness in relation to their proposals;
3. Develop technical skills and processes relevant to their project;
4. Synthesise research and learning in order to produce a coherent body of work
5. Demonstrate an engagement in the module, an ability to manage workloads and to meet deadlines.

Students are required to demonstrate sound attendance, engagement and participation throughout the module. Failure to do so, will impact adversely upon assessment outcomes.

Students are required to submit the Project Proposal (ca. 500 words) alongside the submission of the Negotiated Practical Project.

The assessment strategy includes formative assessment, with tutorial feedback which is designed to encourage and support students to develop and improve their work. Interim review offers the opportunity to reflect upon the work in relation to the module’s learning outcomes. 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 given criteria, writing a short critical appraisal (summary statement) of their work. This will provide the basis for discussion at the assessment feedback session following formal coursework assessment.

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

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

• Appropriate use of research methods
• Quality of analysis and interpretation
• Subject knowledge and relevance
• Quality of communication and presentation
• Appropriate use of problem solving, testing and experimentation
• Management of own learning and personal professional development

Fine Art:
Howells, R. (2011) Visual Culture, Cambridge: Polity Press
Rose, G (2001) Visual Methodologies: An Introduction to the Interpretation of Visual Material, Sage
Schneider A L (2009) The Methodologies of Art: An Introduction, Westview Press
Sullivan, G (2010) Art Practice as Research: Inquiry in the Visual Arts, Sage

Photography:
Barthes, R. (1993) Camera Lucida London: Vintage
Bull, S. (2009) Photography London: Routledge
Howells, R. (2011) Visual Culture, Cambridge: Polity Press
Jaeger, A. (2010) Image Makers, Image Takers, London: Thames and Hudson
Sontag, S. (1979) On Photography Harmondsworth: Penguin
Wells, L. (2005) The Photography Reader London: Routledge
Warner M M. (2001) Photography: A Cultural History New York: Lawrence King