FAMCA-Critical Art Practice

Module Provider: Art
Number of credits: 60 [30 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring / Summer module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Ms Christine Ellison
Email: c.ellison@reading.ac.uk

Module Co-convenor: Dr James Hellings
Email: j.hellings@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:
This is a studio-based module that provides a critical and supportive environment in which students develop practice-based research informed by the current discourses on contemporary art

Aims:
This module requires students to develop a practice-based project engaging in the theoretical concerns of production, exhibition and reflection of artwork. The module aims to foster an independent approach to practice and research through the acquisition of relevant practical and academic skills. A further aim is for students to inform their individual approach with current developments in the field of contemporary art and make a case for the cultural relevance of critical practice.

Assessable learning outcomes:
By the end of this module students should demonstrate the ability to:
- critically consider and understand the relationship between material, form and concept
- investigate different methods of presentation and the role that staging art works plays within interpretation
- engage with relevant and current precedents of critical art practice
- convey an individual position through practice within debates and discourses of contemporary art
- assemble and present research and documentation of iterations of practice in appropriate form

Additional outcomes:
The module supports students in the development of a critical and specialised vocabulary and encourages them to refine and deploy this through group discussion and criticism. It also encourages students to extend the presentation of ideas through reflective writing in and through their practice. The module supports students in the development of IT skills suitable for the process of documentation and dissemination of work. The module also promotes understanding of the role of curation in the development of work and allows students to manage their own research, practice and time effectively.

Outline content:
Students are supported in the development of an independent practice-based research through regular meetings and tutorials. At the beginning of the year students are allocated studio space and provided access to workshops. During the year students test their work through tutorials, group criticism, seminars and study visits. Students develop their critical and analytical skills through the taught studio seminar programme which are evidenced in their curated exhibition and related documentation.

Global context:
The global context of contemporary art requires students to reflect and consider their practice within an international perspective that is facilitated through study visits to major international museums, institutions and collections.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
Work produced in the studios will be analysed and discussed in one to one tutorials as an ongoing process. Work will be further discussed in studio seminars. Staff will be available to give support and advice as appropriate on modes of production and technical requirements. All staff will be available to teach any student at the request of the postgraduate coordinator who may from time to time invite specialists into the Department. Students will attend talks by visiting artists and take part in directed visits to exhibitions. They are also encouraged to reflect upon the role of presentation through the use of department bookable spaces and gallery.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	2	2
Seminars	12	12	2
Tutorials	4	4	4
Practicals classes and workshops	4	4
Supervised time in studio/workshop	100	100	50
External visits	10	10
Guided independent study:	70	70	140
Total hours by term	202	202	196
Total hours for module	600

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Project output other than dissertation	100

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:
Students present work for summative assessment in the summer term as part of the degree exhibition. The form of this presentation is dependent on the nature of the practice. The presentation requires that students make judgements in the selection and staging of work. The summative assessment is supported by documentation of work produced over the year and written reflective evaluation of practice.

Formative assessment methods:
Students receive feedback throughout the year that is intended to enable them to make critical judgements and assess different stages of development in their various projects. Students receive feedback both verbally through tutorials and seminars; and in writing following scheduled presentation points.

Penalties for late submission:

The below information applies to students on taught programmes except those on Postgraduate Flexible programmes. Penalties for late submission, and the associated procedures, which apply to Postgraduate Flexible programmes are specified in the policy 'Penalties for late submission for Postgraduate Flexible programmes', which can be found here: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmissionpgflexible.pdf
The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• 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 five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/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 50% in assessed coursework

Reassessment arrangements:
Individually negotiated coursework to be presented and reassessed within one year

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: 30 March 2023