MC3DD: Display Design, Planning and Creation: Project Module

Module code: MC3DD

Module provider: The Museum of English Rural Life

Credits: 40

Level: Level 3 (Honours)

When you'll be taught: Semester 1 / 2

Module convenor: Dr Rhi Smith, email: r.smith@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s): BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST TAKE MC2LE (Compulsory)

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s): BEFORE OR WHILE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST TAKE MC2CCM (Compulsory)

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: No

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 20 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

You will research, design, instal a museum exhibition using the University of Reading collections. You will be assessed on a literature review regarding the subject matter of the exhibition, an exhibition diary, and a group mark regarding the final exhibition. 

This module is the opportunity for you to put their experience from the other Museum Studies modules into practice with a final exhibition. In Semester 1 you will work as a group to outline and research a relevant theme across the University collections. In Semester 2 you will design and install the exhibition for the public. 

Module learning outcomes

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

1. plan, organise, and carry out a major piece of sustained museum work, including identifying and resolving any problems in its design;
2. work effectively as part of a team; 
3. demonstrate critical self-awareness in reflecting up on their own role in the project; 
4. identify, assemble, organise and present information in an accessible and engaging design and written style which reflects best practice in heritage interpretation. 

Module content

The University of Reading’s collections cover a wide range of topics, time periods, and media. This module challenges you to design an exhibition which will appeal to campus and surrounding communities. You will be supported via a series of workshops and scaffolded meetings.  

You will identify a current and relevant topic which they will agree with professional staff. During Semester 1 you will undertake research regarding the topic in order to create a draft exhibition brief for the project. In Semester 2 your group will design the text and visual design of the displays. You will also design an accompanying marketing and supporting learning materials. With the supervision of professional staff, you will move and install the exhibition during Semester 2. 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

This module relies on an enquiry-based learning model where learning is guided by students towards the solution of a real life ‘problem’. Project management support is provided via an in person and online team environment.  

• There are several supported learning opportunities spread out during Semester 1 and 2: 
• A series of fortnightly 3-hour workshops focussing working with professional staff around a specific phase of the project 
• A series of fortnightly 2-hour student meetings following an outline project plan with set deadlines.  
• A full day ‘mock up’ installation with staff to assess the success of their plans before final installation.  
• A 2-day installation.  

Otherwise the module consists of independent working in a museum or collection. In addition to the module convenor a member of collections staff will act as liaison. You will be responsible for managing their own coursework. This is a 40-credit module which means that it should take up 400 hours of time.  

Study hours

At least 51 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

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.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Reassessment

Additional costs