FAMMA-Mapping the Art World

Module Provider: Art
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Autumn term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2019/0

Email: k.s.cooke@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:
The module examines landmark exhibitions, the proliferation of museums and the emergence of the biennial and art fair. The module covers different historical examples sampling of galleries, dealers, artists, critics and collectors in selected decades as a means of understanding new developments in art.

Aims:
The module aims to provide students with an overall understanding of the role of curators, gallery spaces, art critics and collectors in the art world and their connection with modern and contemporary artists.

Assessable learning outcomes:
By the end of the module it is expected that students will be able to:
- identify and explain the workings of the art world historically and in the present.
- understand the power dynamics and relationship between an artist, a curator, a critic, and a collector.
- carry out a scholarly investigation of an aspect of the art world giving an account of its significance.
- access and use information on the subject by their own research.
- form arguments and opinions about the workings of the art world.
- organise material into effective and detailed arguments in oral presentations, written work and a longer project.

Additional outcomes:
With its requirement of group seminar presentations, this module encourages the development of oral communication skills and teamwork. It also develops students' library research skills and IT skills by the use of relevant Web resources and databases.

Outline content:
Consideration will be given to the formation of networks of dealers, critics, artists, gallerists and art administrators and the defining characteristics of the art and the institutions with which they were internationally connected. The module examines the specifics and emergence of the biennial culture, the art market and globalization whereby the forms of activity have become deregulated, independent and entrepreneurial. It looks at landmark exhibitions, purpose-built and designed gallery spaces, the influence of the art critic and the inter-relationship between the curator and the institution. It uses historic examples as test cases for further study.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
Seminar presentations to be presented by students working in small groups and group discussion. At least one study visit to relevant galleries and collections in London.

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

For the final submission, each student is required to develop and write up their individual contribution to the oral presentation, in a written assignment as part of a research project with full scholarly references. 

The coursework mark reflects the oral presentation and the individual research project which is due at the beginning of the spring term.

Formative assessment methods:

Students work in groups to identify an area of research, which they develop and deliver as an oral presentation in their group, for feedback from the cohort and convenor.

Penalties for late submission:
Penalties for late submission on this module are in accordance with the University policy. Please refer to page 5 of the Postgraduate Guide to Assessment for further information: http://www.reading.ac.uk/internal/exams/student/exa-guidePG.aspx

Assessment requirements for a pass:
A mark of 50% overall.

Reassessment arrangements:

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):
1) Required text books:
2) Specialist equipment or materials:
3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:
4) Printing and binding:
5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:
6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:

Last updated: 10 April 2019