FA2S2-Part 2 Studio including Career Management Skills

Module Provider: Art
Number of credits: 40 [20 ECTS credits]
Level:5
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring / Summer module
Pre-requisites: FA1ART Art Studio
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Mr Timothy Renshaw
Email: t.renshaw@reading.ac.uk

Module Co-convenor: Prof John Russell
Email: j.a.russell@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This is a studio-based module where students are supported and guided in the development of an individual art practice. Studio tutors are available from Monday to Friday and they encourage students to be experimental, creative and

to become knowledgeable about contemporary art and culture. Material sessions where students can learn new skill in a range of media from painting to digital are available in the Autumn and Spring term. Weekly lectures by visiting artist give insight into diversity in the art world and the different ways artists make and practice today. Through staging exhibitions students learn about group working and this is further advanced through a program of group tutorials. During the module students learn appropriate methods of documenting and writing about their work. Through making, documenting and writing students learn what materials and ideas matter to them and how their concerns are informed by and relate to relevant contemporary art practices. The university careers team and alumni visit the department in the Autumn and Spring term to give practical and creative advice on the range of careers open to arts graduates.

Aims:

The studio module aims to:

• provide an environment to support the development of an independent self-directed art practice


• support students in developing new or existing material skills and techniques


• foster in each student a critical awareness and understanding of relevant contemporary art and the diversity of contemporary art practices


• develop student’s knowledge and understanding of the role presentation and the role of working collectively in the staging of group exhibitions


• support students in making informed decisions both through the development of work and through processes of reflection in the documenting and writing about their work


• initiate independent learning that enables continued creative and intellectual development

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Provide evidence of self-directed, purposeful experimentation and inquiry. [DEVELOPMENT]


2. Demonstrate an informed, effective and skillful use of materials, techniques and ideas. [PRODUCTION]


3. Show evidence of imaginative and critical engagement with relevant cultural and/or other contexts. [RESEARCH]


4. Make an informed and considered selection of work that is effectively presented with appropriate methods. [PRESENTATION]


5. Demonstrate informed decision-making and reflective development, with a clear position and sense of ownership in relation to the work, its context and intentions. [REFLECTION]

Additional outcomes:

This module also aims to enable students to organise time productively, to develop communication skills and work effectively as a group. The module introduces students to the role of health and safety in relation to making art and the studio environment. Students will also develop IT skills relevant to art practice and learn appropriate research methods relevant to gaining knowledge of the art world.

Outline content:

At the beginning of the module students receive workshop inductions and guided support from studio tutors to introduce them to working in the studio environment. Studio tutors guide students towards the development of a self-directed art practice and direct them to the department resources. In particular students will be encouraged to engage with Material Sessions where they can learn new material skills and techniques. In the Autumn term students will also be assigned an Academic Tutor who will oversee the develop and progression of their work. During Autumn and Spring term a weekly lecture from a visiting artist informs students about the diversity of art practices and gives insight into the contemporary art world. At weekly studio seminar meetings students learn about documentation of work, statement writing and the key areas of assessment. In the Autumn and Spring term students produce exhibitions and reflect on the values of collaborative working. In week 6 of the Autumn and Spring term students are directed towards relevant exhibitions and collections to further enhance their understanding of the art world and exhibition making. Visit from the careers team induct students into thinking about skills they possess and accessing career paths. At the end of the Autumn term students receive an induction to Study Abroad. In the Autumn and Spring term the University’s careers team and alumni deliver lectures on career planning and identify skills. There are two assessment points, a Formative Assessment at the end of the Autumn term and a Summative Assessment in the Summer Term.

Global context:

Through tutorials, visiting artist lectures and exhibition study visits students learn about the global nature of the contemporary art world. Studio tutors encourage students to think about diversity in practice and to reflect on the role context plays in informing identity, making and thinking. Students receive an induction into study abroad where they have the opportunity to work in a different cultural environment and experience different methods of teaching art.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

In the first weeks of the Autumn Term students receive guided project support to induct them into the studio environment and into working independently. During the term-time teaching staff are available from Monday to Friday to further guide students in the development of self-initiated working. The nature of tutorial discussions are framed within the key assessment criteria. Through tutorial meetings students are encouraged to reflect upon how to progress their work, develop their understand ing of materials and techniques, identity relevant artistic practices and to consider the role of presentation. During the Autumn and Spring term students can sign up for Material Sessions where they can learn and develop skills in a range of different media. Each student is assigned an Academic Tutor and who will over see their progress, monitor their engagement with the studio teaching program and direct them to enrol on the appropriate Material Session. In weekly studio seminars student learn about documentation, writing an artist statement and the different assessment criteria. From the weekly visiting Artist Lecture program students learn about the diversity of relevant contemporary art practices. In the Autumn and Spring term students learn the value of collaborative work through making exhibitions and this also supports their understanding of presentation for the Formative and Summative Assessments. In addition to the feedback received from the studio tutorial program students r eceive feedback from both assessments which enables students to identify strengths and weaknesses in their art practice.

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Number and length of final examination(s):  One week

1.         Exhibition of artwork

2.         Documentation

3.         Statement

In the Summer Term students will stage an exhibition of selected work for summative assessment. Performances and film screenings are timetabled for assessment.

This will be accompanied by updated visual Documentation of work produced during the module and a 500 word Artist Statement submitted via Turnitin on Blackboard.

Formative assessment methods:
Interim assessments are formative and take place mid module where a diagnostic mark is achieved alongside self assessment, written and verbal feedback

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:
A mark of 40% in the assessed coursework and Career Learning assignments

Reassessment arrangements:
Individually prescribed work to be presented and reassessed in August/ September.

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: 27 June 2024