University of the West of England

    MODULE SPECIFICATION

    Code: UAAA7V-40-1

    Title: MEANING AND MEDIA

    Version: 7

    Level: 1

    UWE credit rating: 40 Credits

    ECTS credit rating: 20

    Module type: Project

    Owning Faculty: FCA

    Field: Art

    Field Leader: Mandy Ure

    Valid from: September 2008

    Discontinued from:

    Contributes towards:

    BA (Hons) Fine Art, BA (Hons) Art and Visual Culture

    Pre-requisites: None

    Co-requisites: None

    Excluded combinations: None

    Learning outcomes:

    To enable students to:

    Knowledge and understanding

    i) Begin to locate their own ideas and work in relation to a range of contexts;

    ii) Explore relevant social, cultural and theoretical influences in their research and the development of their Fine Art practice;

    iii) Explore and gain understanding of the relationship between form and meaning within their Fine Art practice;

    Intellectual Skills

    iv) Conceptualise themes and questions in relation to their own practice through dialogue with staff and other students;

    v) Begin to evaluate strengths and weaknesses in their work in relation to contemporary and historical examples of Fine Art practice;

    Subject/Practical Skills

    vi) Develop relevant practical skills and make appropriate media choices;

    vii) Note and document the development of ideas through notebooks, sketchbooks or portfolios;

    viii) Examine relevant presentation methods through an awareness of the practice.

    Transferable/Key Skills

    ix) Access and utilise a given range of learning resources.

    x) Communicate ideas visually, verbally and in writing.

    xi) Organise their time according to a defined schedule of activities and be able to work independently.

    Syllabus outline:

    This module offers students an opportunity to further develop their own studio practice. There is an emphasis on exploring and questioning media/forms and investigating how meaning relates to this. Issues of the appropriateness and relevance of media, context and themes that they are exploring is also discussed. Throughout the module students have the opportunity to attend lectures by visiting artists, which will raise issues concerning meaning and media in relation to the evolution of an artist’s practice. During this module students are expected to determine which programme option choice is appropriate for them to pursue at level 2. This is supported by induction talks about the two programme option choices (Fine Art / Art and Visual Culture).

    During the module there are technical workshops and students will be required to sign up to relevant workshops throughout the semester.

    The workshops may include the following and others will also be offered:

    q Casting

    q Metal Work

    q Woodwork

    q Mini DV Camera

    q Final Cut Pro

    q Digital Photography

    During this module students should:

    q Develop a sustainable practice in a chosen media or combination of media and approaches.

    q Produce a body of work.

    q Develop critical awareness regarding the context and presentation of their work.

    q Apply research skills.

    q Exploit alternative source material and contexts i.e. Field trip

    q Use research and practical experience gained in workshop sessions to make choices about relevant areas of practice and approaches to media.

    q Evaluate strengths and weaknesses.

    q Present completed and preparatory work and a short written evaluation for assessment.

    The Written Evaluation

    The written evaluation is a document provided by the student at assessment. In this evaluation the student addresses their understanding of the strengths and weaknesses in their practice. This allows them to communicate their aspirations and ideas in writing. It also requires some awareness of the location of their own ideas in relation to a range of contexts, and also in relation to contemporary and historical examples of Fine Art practice.

    Teaching and learning Methods

    Learning is supported throughout this module by a variety of different teaching approaches and learning activities. The methods employed in this module are designed both to allow for orientation within the discipline and to be diagnostic in terms of knowledge and skills.

    Teaching and learning methods include:

    q Individual tutorials

    q Group critiques

    q Workshops

    q Lectures

    q Self directed study

    The students are allocated a tutor who meets them on a regular basis for tutorials. Issues of the appropriateness and relevance of media, context and themes that the students are exploring are discussed.

    During this semester the students are also involved in organised group critiques in which students present and evaluate work in progress. This allows students to begin to develop skills in articulating their ideas to an audience. It also provides a forum where a critical discussion of their work can occur.

    Practical skills are delivered through technical workshop sessions and through studio sessions.

    Assessment Criteria

    Criteria

    Ability to…

    Relates to learning outcomes

    Source of evidence

    i)

    develop and sustain a self directed art practice;

    i), ii), iii), iv)vi, ix, xi

    Assessment presentations, completed work and support material.

    ii)

    note & document development of ideas, including relevant references or sources, through notebooks or sketchbooks;

    i), ii), iii), vii), ix), xi)

    As above

    iii)

    make relevant material choices and apply a range of art skills;

    v), viii), ix), x), xi)

    As above

    iv)

    identify ideas, themes and questions in relation to your own practice;

    i), ii), iii), iv), v)

    As above

    v)

    present work in relation to your intention.

    i), iii), vi), viii), x)

    As above

    Reading Strategy

    ‘Essential Reading’ is indicated to supplement student understanding of the subjects covered throughout the module. ‘Further Reading’ guides students through more specific aspects of research and students will be directed to these under the guidance of staff. While many of the reference sources are available through the library, additional sources of reference (including web sites and a suggested list of galleries and arts organisations) are identified along with how to access them.

    A separate module resource pack for this module may be supplemented by handouts at lectures with additional references identified for individual students in consultation with staff.

    Essential Reading

    Jeremy Millar Fischli and Weiss - The Way Things Go (p1 – p30) Afterall Books 2007

    Further Reading

    Alberro, A Conceptual Art and the Politics of Publicity MIT 2003

    Bachelard, G, The Poetics of Space Beacon Press 1994.

    Barthes, R, Mythologies Vintage 1993

    Berger, J, About Looking, Writers and Readers 1980

    Harrison and Wood’ (ed) Art in Theory Blackwell 1993

    Buchloh, B, The Museum Fictions of Marcel Broodthaers Art Metropole 1983.

    de Oliveira,N/Oxley,N. Installation Art, Smithsonian Press 1994.

    Godfrey, T, Conceptual Art Phaidon 1998

    Harrison, C Conceptual Art & Painting MIT 2001

    Sontag, S On Photography, Penguin 1977

    Reiss, J, From Margin to Centre: The Spaces Tate 2000.

    of Installation Art.

    Periodicals

    a-n magazine, Art Monthly, Artforum, Flash Art, Frieze, October, Parkett, Untitled

    Articles on Websites

    Benjamin, W, “The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction” www.marxists.org/reference/subject/philosophy/works/ge/benjamin.htm

    Theodor Adorno ‘The Culture Industry: Enlightenment as Mass Deception’

    and Max Horkheimer www.marxists.org/reference/archive/adorno/1944/culture-industry.htm

    Websites

    www.a-n.co.uk - information on all aspects of professional development, case studies and opportunities

    www.newexhibitions.com - national exhibitions listings

    www.artupdate.com

    www.artincontext.org

    www.linst.ac.uk/library/intranet/webguides/art.htm - weblinks for artists from London Institute site

    http://www.tategallery.com

    Suggested Viewing

    Recommended viewing will be made available according to the nature of individual student’s research undertaken within this module and to complement their studio practice module.

    During the module students will be encouraged to regularly visit galleries and museums in London, and via noticeboard information regarding the following local organisations:

    Arnolfini; Spike Island; Picture This Moving Image. Watershed; The Cube; in the South West are G39 Gallery, Cardiff, Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff; Spacex, Exeter;

    Assessment

    Weighting between components A and B (standard modules at levels 0-3 only) A:

    ATTEMPT 1

    First Assessment Opportunity

    Component A

    Description of each element Element weighting

    1. Body of work including support material 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 including support material 100%

    SECOND (OR SUBSEQUENT) ATTEMPT Attendance at taught classes is/is not required.

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

    (Associate Dean/Programme Director)

Assessment: Profile of student achievement in relation to stated learning outcomes:

    MEANING & MEDIA UAFA7V-40-1

    In order to pass the module your performance as a student and the work that you have produced will be assessed against the following ‘assessment criteria’. The statements next to the criteria describe the performance of a student who is going to pass the module. The extent to which you achieve or over achieve these descriptions will determine your percentage mark.

    Assessment Criteria:

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

    Threshold standard

    (UG Level)

    i) Develop and sustain a self directed art project

    Production of a body of self-directed work that demonstrates that you have pursued and explored a chosen subject and media. You have made relevant choices and decisions in relation to form and content. There is some evidence that you are able to make connections between your own work and other artists and/or appropriate sources.

    You have a growing confidence in your ability to identify and reflect on the formal and conceptual elements in your work.

    ii) Note & document development of ideas, including relevant references or sources, through notebooks or sketchbooks.

    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 your project. 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, in your portfolio of work and in the samples you have developed in workshops.

    iii) Make relevant material choices and apply a range of art skills.

    You have used the workshops and exercises as a means of gaining new skills and techniques. You have used the faculty centres to explore and experiment with new methods and materials. Your research has given you new ideas that you have been able to develop through a process of experimentation within your practice. You have recognised how these approaches to media can be of relevance to the development of your work.

    iv) Identify ideas, themes and questions in relation to your own practice.

    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 evaluate and respond to the advice of tutors and fellow students. This should be evidenced in supporting work and in finished work selected for assessment.

    v) Present work in relation to your intention.

    This is evidenced in your ability to select and present completed work and demonstrate the development of your ideas clearly through appropriate supporting material and documentation.

    Levels of Achievement

    80% and above -

    you have produced a substantial body of work covering all aspects of the module. The standard you have reached exceptionally exceeds that described in the threshold student profile in relation to all the criteria.

    70% - 79% -

    you have produced a substantial body of work covering all aspects of the module. The standard you have reached exceeds that described in the threshold student profile in relation to all the criteria.

    60% - 69% -

    you have produced a substantial body of work covering all aspects of the module. The standard you have reached exceeds that described in the threshold student profile in relation to the majority of the criteria.

    50% - 59% -

    you have produced a body of work that shows you have engaged with nearly all aspects of the module. The standard you have reached matches that described in the threshold student profile in relation to at least four out of five of the criteria.

    40% - 49% -

    you have produced an adequate body of work that shows you have engaged with most aspects of the module. The standard you have reached matches that described in the threshold student profile in relation to at least three out of five of the 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 you lack confidence in the manipulation of some core processes, skills and techniques. The work fails to meet the threshold profile.

    20% - 29% -

    the body of work is substantially incomplete and demonstrates very poor engagement with the programme of study. You have not acquired the core skills introduced in the module. 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.

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