FA7058 - Public Art: Research for Practice (2024/25)
| Module specification | Module approved to run in 2024/25 | ||||||||||||||||
| Module title | Public Art: Research for Practice | ||||||||||||||||
| Module level | Masters (07) | ||||||||||||||||
| Credit rating for module | 40 | ||||||||||||||||
| School | School of Art, Architecture and Design | ||||||||||||||||
| Total study hours | 400 | ||||||||||||||||
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| Assessment components |
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| Running in 2024/25(Please note that module timeslots are subject to change) |
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Module summary
This module focuses on research methodologies inherent to the fields of public art, performative and participatory practices, and curating public programming. It is designed to provide students with the necessary theoretical knowledge in order to frame their creative practice academically, drawing on the study of contemporary concerns and established and emerging practices in these fields. A particular emphasis is placed on the notion of ‘practice-as-research’.
In doing so, the module aims to:
provide a critical framework for the student’s own work
establish academic rigour in creative practice as research
foster an understanding of scholarly research, in terms of research questions, methodology, ethics, findings and impact
mentor the students on their developing practice, leading to the theoretical proposal of the project to be realised in their Summer Studies Period (FA7P02).
Prior learning requirements
Available for Study Abroad? NO
Syllabus
This module combines class-based lectures and seminars with individual tutorials. Along the year, opportunities for off-site visits and guest interviews will also be included. In the first semester, the module will focus on understanding key processes in research, including identifying research questions and methodologies and understanding what characterises creative practice as research. This part of the module will lead to the creation of a literature review, based on a topic chosen by the student in relation to public art and performative practices. LO1-LO4
Following the literature review, classes will become increasingly based on tutorials, tailored to the students’ individual research projects, regularly informed by group crits, whereby students benefit from both tutor-led and peer feedback. Students are expected to test methods both theoretically and practically, appropriately documenting their research process in order to share this at group crits. LO1-LO5
Across the year, students will be encouraged to engage in supplementary research events and activities via the University’s Research Centres and partnering organisations. While such activities are optional, they are emphasised as an important way to complement the student’s ongoing research process.
The combination of tutor-led content and independent research will inform the student’s final submission for the module: a Finalised Project Plan, which will form the basis for the work to be developed in FA7P02, Public Art Project. LO3-LO5
Balance of independent study and scheduled teaching activity
The module consistently combines class-based content with the student’s independent research, regularly mentored via individual tutorials.
Students are expected to supplement the knowledge covered in class with additional research, both through reading and field observations of actual case studies. Blended learning and online resources will be used to implement tasks and further research.
In-class activity makes use of varied student-centred approaches, so that a range of learning strategies is deployed, and individual learning styles are accommodated. Information is provided through a range of means and sources to minimise and remove barriers to successful progress through the module. The course team seeks to embed the University’s Education for Social Justice Framework in fostering learning that is enjoyable, accessible, relevant and that takes account of the social and cultural context and capital of its students.
Activities foster peer-to-peer community building and support for learning. Reflective learning is promoted through interim formative feedback points that ask students to reflect on their progress, receive 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 written reflections on progress and achievement.
Learning outcomes
On completion of this module, students will have gained:
A. Cognitive intellectual abilities
LO1 An understanding of what distinguishes creative practice (artistic and curatorial) as research from creative practice as professional practice, including how these two notions may overlap
A. Knowledge and understanding
LO2 An understanding of key research elements, such as literature reviews, case studies, methodologies, research questions, findings and impact
B. Transferable skills
LO3 The ability academically frame creative inquiry and to communicate such framing through rigorous research
B. Subject specific skills
LO4 An understanding of the theoretical/cultural context underpinning public art and performative practices, across disciplines and across case studies from around the world
LO5 Experience in planning a research project, drawing in existent practices as case studies