module specification

FA5002 Studio Practice 5 encourages and facilitates development of practical and conceptual knowledge and understanding of contemporary visual arts practice. The module builds on the skills and key concepts introduced at level 4, providing students with a sustained and in-depth engagement with their practice. Technical competence is enhanced while exploring the range and application of Fine Art practice in the realisation of an individual project.

FA5002 Studio Practice 5 is taught in integral relationship with the work produced in other core modules. Students will be expected to investigate and develop critical and aesthetic working relationships between and across modules.

Pass & Complete Preceding Level

The main module aims are to:

• Equip students with the skills and a developing conceptual command of Fine Art practice.
• Extend and apply disciplinary knowledge in the context of a negotiated project.
• Support the development of sound working practices.
• Enable students to become knowledgeable about the processes of production, contextualization and display, as required by professional practice in their field.

Indicative Content:
• Outline of Module: Themes, Aims, Key Concepts
• Guided Independent Studies
• Technical Development-demonstrations, seminars, tutorials
• Reflection, Revision, formative assessment (in-class presentation)
• Structured Feedback & Guidance
• Project development
• Presentations/folio review
• Reflection, Revision
• Submission of negotiated project and critical commentary.

Teaching and learning is organised around a series of demonstrations, lectures, seminars and workshops, supported by online learning, in supporting effective conception, development, production and presentation of a negotiated practical project.

On completing the module, students should be able to:

1. Identify, test and apply technical processes to support their developing art practice;
2. Explore approaches to presentation and interaction with audience and evaluate their effectiveness;
3. Document their practice to communicate ideas and intentions both visually and in writing;
4. Devise, manage and produce artwork based on research explorations;
5. Apply informed critical judgment to support their developing practice.

The assessment strategy is iterative and developmental. Studio Practice is punctuated and supported at intervals by tutorial analysis. Tutorials provide constructive critique and guidance on work in progress. Records of these inform the student of their progress and go forward to inform the assessment panel at summative assessment. Assessment and evaluation as learning is key to the assessment strategy and approach. Students are routinely expected to engage in peer and self-evaluation.

Students are required to submit the Project Proposal, 20% (ca. 1000 words) alongside the submission of the Negotiated Practical Project, 80%. 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

Bann, S. Allen, W., 1991, Interpreting Contemporary Art. Reakton Books.
De Bolla, P., 2001, Art Matters, Harvard University Press.
Grace, H., (Editor) 1996, Aesthesia and the Economy of the Senses. PAD Publications
Madoff, S, H., (Editor) 2009 Art School, MIT Press.