University of the West of England

MODULE SPECIFICATION

Code:UA1AD4-20-1			Title: Specialist Pathway 1					Version: 4
Level: 1	UWE credit rating: 20 Credits						ECTS credit rating: 10
Module type: Project
Owning Faculty: AMD				Field: Visual Culture		Field Leader: A Partington
Valid from: September 2006					Discontinued from:
Contributes towards:		FdA Creative Practices
Pre-requisites: None
Co-requisites: None
Excluded combinations: None

Learning outcomes:

On completion of the module students will have demonstrated:

Knowledge/understanding

i) The underlying concepts and principles associated with the chosen discipline

ii) Identification of key issues/theories specific to chosen discipline;

iii) Understanding of historical and contemporary practices in chosen discipline;

Intellectual skills

iv) Observation and contextualization of subject specialism;

v) Development of critical and evaluative skills;

vi) The research and evaluation of the use of visual language by other designers and artists;

Practical skills

vii) Ability to use appropriate materials, techniques and equipment in the production of a body of work;

viii) Evaluation of the appropriateness of different approaches to solving problems related to specialist areas of study;

ix) Identification of a subject that has the potential for sustained personal investigation;

x) Ability to present, evaluate and interpret qualitative and quantitative data, to develop lines of argument in support of practical work;

Transferable skills

xi) Research and visualization skills to develop the communication of ideas;

xii) Personal organization and time management ;

xiii) Writing, documentation, communication.

Syllabus outline:

The theme of the module is the acquisition of basic subject specific skills, which will provide a sound basis for further development. Students will be expected to begin to develop their specialist practice based on their own ideas and direction. There is an emphasis upon questioning, exploring and contextualising ideas through the experience of making and encountering images/objects.

Subject specific skills will be developed through a series of specialist practices:

• The application of a wide range of recording techniques to the production of an imaginative and creative body of work within the chosen discipline.

• The review and evaluation of recording techniques in relation to further development.

• Devising of strategies for research and exploration of a chosen subject.

• Production of a body of work that supports clarifies and deepens understanding of the subject and indicates a growing creative identity.

• The demonstration of a critical understanding of the work produced and its potential for continued growth of a creative identity.

• The demonstration of a sound practical understanding of the expressive qualities in the use of visual language.

• The use of appropriate conventions to visually represent a range of objective and subjective meanings and messages.

• The demonstration of mature skills in the interpretation of work by other artists and designers.

Applied Arts students at Filton will acquire specific skills in:

• Drawing as a design process

• Glass cutting and assembly processes

• Cutting, joining and soldering metals

• Using non-traditional materials in jewellery making

• Handbuilding and throwing on the wheel with clays

• The use of glazes and enamels on ceramic and metal surfaces

Applied Arts indicative content (Filton)

This module will consist of a core Urban project with two main elements:

1) Introductory workshops and contextual lectures

2) Design brief and study of a piece of work by an individual applied artist

	Wednesday pm	Friday
Week 1	Induction	Introductions. Orientation project
Week 2	Lecture – Defining the Applied Arts	Exploring the immediate environment – City Walk
Week 3	Lecture: Preparation for workshop (PowerPoint)	Introductory Workshops. Jewellery – the body adorned
Week 4	Lecture: Preparation for workshop (PowerPoint) Studio time	Introductory Workshops. Clay - Coffee and Sushi - the pots we use
Week 5	Lecture: Preparation for workshop (PowerPoint) Studio time	Introductory Workshops. Glass – Architecture, transparency and light
Week 6	Lecture: Preparation for workshop (PowerPoint) Studio time	Introductory Workshops. Enamel - contemporary approaches to the medium
Week 7	Workshop: Printmaking	Workshop: Printmaking
Week 8	Introduce design brief project	Workshops 2. Jewellery - Surface
Week 9	Drawing: Lines on the Body	Workshops 2. Clay – Making Vessels: throwing on the wheel
Week 10	Preparing for Gallery visit - assignment	Gallery Visit to London *
Week 11	Presentations of Gallery Visit assignment	Workshops 2. Glass – contemporary approaches to glass as a medium
Week 12	Drawing: Three-dimensional drawings	Workshops 2. Enamel – Colour
Week 13	Workshops – finishing work	Workshops – finishing work
Week 14	Preparation for assessment	Assessment

* in conjunction with Fine Art pathway students

Applied Arts pathway students at Stroud College will acquire specific skills in:

• Digital applications towards creating imagery, design

• Ceramic processes: hand-building, modelling, maquettes, surface enhancement,

ceramic colours, firing and glazing.

• Printmaking processes: monoprinting, relief painting, intaglio and screen-printing,

printed textiles

• Interface of Ceramics & Print : all the above printmaking processes will be explored

with clay as a support

• Lens-based recording: wet photography, digital photography

Applied Arts indicative content (Stroud):

There will be two inter-related projects

Project 1 : From Looking to Making

Project 2 : Signs of Habitation

Week 1	Induction. Introduction to signs of habitation and workshops
Week 2	Exploring the immediate environment: Ways of looking and recording
Week 3	Use and manipulation of recorded information
Week 4	Plastic materials
Week 5	Ceramic surface: Interface of ceramics and print
Week 6	Visit to V & A, London and relevant exhibitions
Week 7	Relief printmaking, monoprinting, colour
Week 8	Intaglio printmaking
Week 9	Screen-printing
Week 10	Ways of recording work: wet and digital photography
Week 11	Ceramics: Firing, glazing, Raku
Week 12	Signs of Habitation project: Studio Activity/Workshops
Week 13	Signs of Habitation project: Studio Activity/Workshops
Week 14	Signs of Habitation project: Studio Activity/Workshops/preparation for assessment

Fine Art pathway students will acquire specific skills in:

• Uses for photographic processes (including digital)

• Print processes

• Painting (including introduction to colour theory)

• 3D plastic materials (including basic ceramic processes)

• Drawing (including digital) as a means of production for artworks

Fine Art Indicative Content

This module will consist of two projects:

3) Obsessive Observation

4) The Urban Project

Week 1	Induction. Introduction of the Urban Project. – City Walk.
Week 2	Obsessive Observation 1: Exploring the immediate environment.
Week 3	Obsessive Observation 2: Electronic and digital drawing
Week 4	Obsessive Observation 3: Size, scale, and time, some implications
Week 5	Obsessive Observation 4: Objects and Collections
Week 6	Obsessive Observation 5: Light
Week 7	Obsessive Observation 6: Plasticity
Week 8	Obsessive Observation 7: Colour
Week 9	Obsessive Observation 8: Surface
Week 10	The Urban Project: Gallery Visit
Week 11	The Urban Project: Studio activities / workshops
Week 12	The Urban Project: Studio activities / workshops
Week 13	The Urban Project: Studio activities / workshops
Week 14	The Urban Project: Studio activities and preparation for assessment

Fashion Pathway students will acquire specific skills in:

• Uses of photography for fashion design

• Identification of markets

• Using an industrial specification sewing machine

• Garment construction

• Pattern cutting

• Production and use of a toile

Fashion Design Indicative Content

This module will consist of two linked projects.

1. Identity and Direction

2. Industrial Requirements (design and CMT)

Week 1	Induction. Preparation of first task
Week 2	Visit to London, V&A, designer shops and the Street.
Week 3	Student presentations of findings – historical, contemporary & sub-cultures.
Week 4	Photography – developing the image, styling.
Week 5	Identifying markets. Design based solutions.
Week 6	Industrial (sewing) machine introduction (cont. of design studio time).
Week 7	Construction (cont. of design studio time).
Week 8	Pattern Cutting (cont. of design studio time).
Week 9	Design Critique and selection.
Week 10	Patterns (cont. of design studio time).
Week 11	Patterns (cont. of design studio time).
Week 12	Toile
Week 13	Toile
Week 14	Preparation for assessment & Illustration of designs

.

Graphics Pathway students will acquire specific skills in:

• Use of digital techniques - image processing

• Use of digital techniques - type

• Typography - contexts

• Studio techniques – visual recording, marker techniques

Graphic Design Indicative Content

This module will consist of two linked projects.

1. Image and Communication

2. Type and communication

Week 1	Induction. Preparation for first project
Week 2	Visual research visit – Bristol, Harbourside
Week 3	Image processing - visual resources
Week 4	Image processing for communication -visual journeys
Week 5	Image processing for communication - maps & diagrams
Week 6	Image processing for communication – a sense of place
Week 7	Student presentation and review
Week 8	Type – an introduction
Week 9	Type and layout for communication
Week 10	Type and image - page layouts
Week 11	Type in context – history of type/typography
Week 12	Page layout developments
Week 13	Student presentation and review
Week 14	Preparation for assessment

Media pathway students will acquire specific skills in:

Integrated media production technologies and techniques

Production research

Use of digital technologies – Capturing sound and image

Use of digital technologies – Web design

Identifying audiences

Media Practice indicative content

This module will consist of two practical projects:

1. Media Futures

2. On-line presence

Week 1	Induction. Preparation of first task. Understanding the concept of creative team work. Audiovisual information gathering. Introductory workshops in audio recording, video editing and image manipulation.
Week 2	Media futures - researching the media landscape. Research skills and practical research exercises
Week 3	Media futures - group work skills and managing conflict in industry situations
Week 4	Media futures – Studio workshops, student presentation and review. Preparation for assignment two.
Week 5	Introduction to Integrated Media: Production Languages
Week 6	Forms of media – Converging Practice
Week 7	Student Project Pitches
Week 8	Sound & Integrated Media
Week 9	Games Culture: Context & Practice
Week 10	Critical Language of Integrated Media (1)
Week 11	Critical Language of Integrated Media (2)
Week 12	Student Presentations & Review of Production Folders
Week 13	Preparation for Assessment / The Evaluation
Week 14	Student Presentations & Project Submission

Photography Pathway students at will acquire specific skills in:

• Use of camera (digital SLR), computer, scanner.

• Camera exposure techniques.

• Camera technologies.

• Colour theory

Photography Indicative Content

This module will consist of two practical projects.

1. Black & white photography: The Urban Environment

2. Self directed project.

Week 1	Induction. Project 1 introduction – historical & contemporary examples of representing the urban environment. Health & safety.
Week 2	The subjective & objective camera. Camera composition & techniques – developing photographic styles. Photography baseroom-based workshop activities (cont. of photography studio time)
Week 3	Camera metering – workshop & camera tests. Photography baseroom-based activities (cont. of photography studio time)
Week 4	Experimentation with differing light sources. Studio based activities Photography baseroom-based activities (cont. of photography studio time)
Week 5	Photography baseroom-based activities (cont. of photography studio time) eg improving print quality or digital file-handling.
Week 6	Photography baseroom-based activities (cont. of photography studio time) eg image manipulation
Week 7	Presentation workshop. Preparation & assessment – project 1
Week 8	Project 2 introduction. Health & safety.
Week 9	Application of colour theory. Photography baseroom-based activities (cont. of photography studio time)
Week 10	Photography baseroom-based activities (cont. of photography studio time)
Week 11	Photography baseroom-based activities (cont. of photography studio time)
Week 12	Photography baseroom-based activities (cont. of photography studio time)
Week 13	Photography baseroom-based activities (cont. of photography studio time)
Week 14	Preparation for assessment – project 2

Teaching and learning methods:

Students will be taught through a combination of lectures, demonstrations, workshops and didactic studio delivery.

The first eight weeks of the module will be biased towards didactic delivery. As the module progresses, the opportunity to attend workshops will increase.

These will require students to work more independently, applying practical, subject specific skills to accrued during studio delivery to increasingly personally orientated work.

Reading Strategy

There will be recommended texts for each pathway, and further reading based on students’ individual interests will be suggested during tutorials. Students will also be advised on museum and gallery visits, as well as websites, for research on practitioners within their discipline.

Indicative Reading List:

Archer, M. (2002) Bachelard, G. (1994)	Art since 1960 The Poetics of Space	London: Thames and Hudson Boston: Beacon Press
Berger, J. (1992)	About looking	London: Vintage Books
Benstock, S. & Ferriss, S. (1994)	On Fashion	London: Rutgers University Press
Bright, S, (2006)	Art Photography Now	London: Thames & Hudson
Clarke, G. (1997)	The Photograph: a visual and cultural history	Oxford: Oxford Paperbacks
Cotton, Bob (2001) Fiell, C.& P. (2001) Godfrey, T. (2000)	Designing the 21st Century Futurecasting Digital Media Conceptual Art	London: Taschen Harlow: FT Com London: Phaidon
(ed) Kovats, T. (2007)	The Drawing Book	London: Black Dog Publishing
(ed.) Jones, A. (2006)	A Companion to Contemporary Art Since 1945	London: Blackwell
Mayer, R. (1991)	The Artists Handbook of Materials and Techniques	London: Viking

Lister, M. Giddings, S. New Media: A Critical Introduction.

Dovey, J. Grant, I. Kelly, K. (2003) London Routledge,.

Packer, Randall Multimedia: From Wagner to Virtual Reality

& Jordan, Ken (2003) London. W W Norton.

Perec, G. (1997) Species of Spaces London: Penguin

and Other Pieces

Rush, M. (1999) New Media in late 20^th London: Thames

Century Art and Hudson

Wood, P. (2002) Conceptual Art London: Tate Publishing

Websites:


www.anweb.co.uk – artists professional development and archive of articles
www.linst.ac.uk/library/webguides/art.htm – useful web links from London Institute site

Assessment

The work requirement for this module is a body of work which the student produces in response to the brief.

Assessment of this module will normally be based upon the following:

• A body of research and developmental work;

• Evidence of participation in workshops;

• Sketchbooks;

• Studio Journal;

• Reflective and evaluative statement of at least 500 words.

Students will be assessed according to their fulfilment of the learning outcomes in respect of the following criteria:

Criteria	Relates to learning outcomes	Source of evidence
i) understanding of key issues, theories and historical and contemporary practices appropriate to the subject specialism.	i), ii), iii)	Body of work
ii) observation and contextualisation of the subject specialism and some development of critical and evaluative skills.	iv), v)	Body of work
iii) Identification of subject for personal investigation	ix), x)	Body of work
iv) Appropriate use of materials, techniques and equipment	vii), viii)	Body of work
v) Research and evaluation	vi), viii), x), xi)	Body of work
vi) Visualisation and documentation	xi), xii), xiii)	Body of work

ATTEMPT 1

First Assessment Opportunity

Component A

Description of each element Element weighting

1 Body of work 100%

Second Assessment Opportunity (further attendance at taught classes is/is not required)

Component A

Description of each element Element weighting

1 Body of work 100%

SECOND (OR SUBSIQUENT) ATTEMPT Attendance at taught class is/is not required.

Specification confirmed by ………………………………Date ……………………………

(Associate Dean/Programme Director)

Specialist Pathway 1
Assessment Criteria: Students will be assessed according to their fulfillment of the learning outcomes in respect of the following criteria:	Threshold standard (UG Level)
i) understanding of key issues, theories and historical and contemporary practices appropriate to the subject specialism.	There is evidence in your body of work that you have examined and recorded material and ideas from different sources. There is evidence that you have used your research skills to help you develop ideas in relation to the projects. You have explored different ways of recording ideas: e.g. drawing, photography, note-taking etc. Your research and the different ways in which you develop ideas can be seen in your sketchbooks, workshop report, evaluative statement, research file and in your body of work.
ii) observation and contextualisation of the subject specialism and some development of critical and evaluative skills.	During this module you have consulted the reading list, attended lectures, looked at appropriate publications, spent time in the library, visited relevant exhibitions and have take the trouble to learn more about Fine Art. Your efforts to gain further subject knowledge and understanding are evident in your sketchbooks, research file, etc. You know more about your chosen subject than you did at the beginning of the module.
iii) identification of subject for personal investigation	You have used the projects and workshops as a means of gaining new skills and techniques. You have used the projects and workshops to explore and experiment with the new ideas and skills that are being introduced. Your research has given you new ideas that you have been able to develop through a process of experimentation.
iv) Appropriate use of materials, techniques and equipment	You have accessed resources and equipment and have used materials safely and in the service of your studio and workshop activities.
v) Research and Evaluation	Critical reflection and peer group interaction have enabled you to think about how to develop and progress your work. You have engaged with the course and have been able to progress your work independently. You are able to listen to, evaluate and act on the advice of tutors and fellow students.
vi) Visualisation and documentation	you have submitted work for assessment in a considered and appropriate way.

Levels of Achievement
80% and above -	the student has produced a substantial body of work demonstrating a very high level of critical and creative independence in the research, analysis, recording and presentation of contextual material. The student has made an outstanding contribution to the knowledge and understanding of their peers through their active participation in seminars. The work exceptionally exceeds the threshold profile in respect of all five criteria.
70% - 79% -	the student has produced a substantial body of work demonstrating a high level of innovation, critical and creative independence in the research, analysis, recording and presentation of contextual material. The student has made a considerable contribution to the knowledge and understanding of their peers through their active participation in seminars. The work exceeds the threshold profile in respect of all five criteria.
60% - 69% -	the student has produced a substantial body of work demonstrating innovation, critical and creative independence in the research, analysis, recording and presentation of contextual material. The student has made a considerable contribution to the knowledge and understanding of their peers through their active participation in seminars. The work meets the threshold profile in respect of all five criteria.
50% - 59% -	the student has produced a body of work demonstrating critical independence and creativity in the research, analysis, recording and presentation of contextual material. The student has made a significant contribution to the knowledge and understanding of their peers through their participation in seminars. The work meets the threshold profile in respect of all five criteria;
40% - 49% -	the student has produced a body of work demonstrating engagement with the programme of study. The student is competent in the researching, recording and organization of contextual material. The student has participated in seminar groups and contributed to the knowledge and understanding of the peer group. The work substantially meets the threshold profile in respect of all five criteria.
30% - 39%	the body of work is incomplete and demonstrates a lack of engagement with aspects of the programme of study. As a result the student lacks confidence in the researching, recording and organization of contextual material. Contribution to seminar groups has been erratic. The work substantially fails to meet the threshold profile in respect of all five criteria.
20% - 29% -	the body of work is substantially incomplete and demonstrates very poor engagement with the programme of study. The student has not acquired the core skills introduced in the module and has made an inadequate contribution to seminar groups. The work fails to meet the threshold profile in respect of all five criteria.
0% - 19% -	very little evidence of engagement with the module. No evidence of progression. The work fails to meet the threshold profile in respect of all five criteria.
* for the purpose of assessment the level of achievement is measured against the overarching profile given through the five threshold statements.