FA7028 - Contextual Studies: MA by Project (2016/17)
Module specification | Module approved to run in 2016/17 | ||||||||||
Module status | DELETED (This module is no longer running) | ||||||||||
Module title | Contextual Studies: MA by Project | ||||||||||
Module level | Masters (07) | ||||||||||
Credit rating for module | 20 | ||||||||||
School | School of Art, Architecture and Design | ||||||||||
Total study hours | 200 | ||||||||||
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Assessment components |
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Running in 2016/17(Please note that module timeslots are subject to change) |
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Module summary
The purpose of this module is to develop a review of work related to the student’s own research territory. This includes a literature review and an object/ image review related to the research project, live project or, studio/ workshop project in art, architecture, design and visual/ material culture.
The module will examine notions of ‘context’ and the different frames in relation to which research can be contextualized: social, historical, cultural, methodological, material, technological, etc. It will present material related to the academic skills required: description and analysis of objects, images, and texts; critical thinking; forms and functions of bibliographies.
After an initial block of seminar-workshop presentations, students will be encouraged to develop an independent perspective through scrutiny and appraisal of key and seminal works. This is a core module for MA By Project and integral for research training for MPhil, and PhD research within the Faculty.
Module aims
This module aims to:
- Facilitate the development of a review of works related to a project;
- Facilitate the planning and/or development of research and/or live/ studio/workshop project through identification of, and critical engagement with related work;
- Engender knowledge and understanding of work at the forefront of the relevant subject area;
- Encourage development of an appropriate, independent research perspective and approach within the boundaries of the fields of practice;
- Further develop skills of analysis and critical thinking;
- Further develop knowledge and understanding of theory and method relevant to the project;
- Develop awareness of the traditions and practices of research within historical, cultural and contemporary contexts.
Syllabus
After an initial series of seminars, students engage in independent research supported by tutorial advice. This module addresses multidisciplinary fields of practice and research.
General questions of method and theory will be reviewed in the introductory seminars and workshops that address:
• Definitions of ‘context’.
• The range of potential contextual frameworks: social, historical, cultural, methodological, material, technological, etc.
• Writing description and analysis of works
• Uses and forms of bibliography.
Learning and teaching
The Learning and Teaching strategy for the module is largely based on student’s own systematic review of research related to their project proposal:
Lectures and Seminars will consider potential contextual frameworks, offering both practical advice and necessary theoretical discussion to support independent study
Supervision involving individual and group tutorials will be available to students on the module to support them with their independent study
Independent study will engage students in a range of research approaches to support their work on the module
In addition students are encouraged to make maximum use of the resources available to them in terms of the IT provision both within the department and the library. Blended Learning /weblearn includes the provision of course and module information on the web, lecture notes, feedback, and/or blogs are used to enhance independent learning.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:
- Demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of research and other work related to the research proposal;
- Identify issues raised through the review of work, including gaps in the literature, and problems that are unresolved;
- Demonstrate appropriate use of the conventions of scholarly writing and citation in construction of a review of work and methods of visual or other analysis;
- Employ effective independent learning and research strategies.
Assessment strategy
Assessment for this module includes a Research Report with bibliography (3000- 3500 words). This report on the context of the proposed project will identify, describe, and engage critically and analytically with carefully selected key works related to the project. The report will be accompanied by a bibliography related to the project.
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
• Management of own learning and personal professional development
Bibliography
The following are indicative only. Refereed journals/articles and electronic resources: issued according to syllabus. Texts will be recommended on an individual basis as appropriate. Students will be expected to read widely in and around their subject area and to keep up with current specialist journals and exhibitions.
Gaiger, J. and Wood, P. (ed.) (2003) Art of the Twentieth Century: A Reader, Yale UP.
Hall, S., et al. (ed.) (1980) Culture, Media, Language, Unwin Hyman.
Harrison, C. and Wood, P. (ed.) (2003) Art in Theory 1900 - 2000: An Anthology of Changing Ideas, Blackwell (2nd edition).
Manghani, S. Piper, A., and Simon, J. (2006) Images: A Reader, Los Angeles, London, New Delhi: Sage.
Murray, R. (2002) How to Write a Thesis, Open University Press.
Ritter, R. (2002) The Oxford Manual of Style, London, New York, Sydney, Toronto, Oxford University Press.
Van Leeuwen, T., and Jewitt, C. (2001) Handbook of Visual Analysis, London, Thousand Oaks, New Delhi: Sage.
Bergson, H. (1946) The Creative Mind: An Introduction to Metaphysics, New York: The Wisdom Library, pp. 30-90.
Gugger, H and Couling, N and Blanchard, A. (2013) Barents Lessons: Teaching and Research in Architecture Chicago: University of Chicago Press
Lefebrve, H. (1991) The Production of Space, Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell