Programme specification
This programme specification is aimed at prospective students and represents the most current course structure.
SECTION A: DETAILS OF THE COURSE AND AWARD
| Programme: | Curating Latin American Art |
|---|---|
| Awarding body: | University of Essex |
| Teaching institution: | University of Essex |
| Department: | Art History and Theory |
| Final award: | MA |
| NQF Level of Qualification: | |
| Full / Part Time | Full-time or part-time |
| QAA Benchmark Group: | History of Art, Architecture and Design |
| JACS code: | V353 |
| Publication date: | 26/09/2012 |
| Admission criteria:
if the applicant does not meet the specified criteria, he or she may discuss the application with the Head of Undergraduate or Head of Postgraduate admissions. |
BA degree of Upper Second class standard or above in Art History or other relevant discipline, or an equivalent qualification in Fine Art. BA in Fine Art should contain Art History as a significant component. Applicants with other qualifications may be asked to enrol for the Graduate Diploma (see separate Programme Specification) before proceeding to the MA. Evidence of practical experience in museum, gallery or associated work would be an advantage. Language requirements: IELTS 7.0 or TOEFL 250 (600) or comparable. |
SECTION B: PROGRAMME AIMS, OUTCOMES, LEARNING AND ASSESSMENT METHODS
This section provides a concise overview of the programme of study, identifying the aims, learning outcomes and the corresponding methods of learning, teaching and assessment.
Programme: MA Curating Latin American Art
Programme aims:
To offer students the opportunity to combine practical and theoretical training in contemporary curatorial practice with a grounding in the history and principles of the technologies of making contemporary art visible. To provide the opportunity for an in-depth understanding of aspects of Latin American Art from the conquest to the present day, including systematic knowledge informed by advanced work in the field, and for some original work either by developing new material or in the application of ideas to existing material. To afford students the opportunity and support to engage in a measure of self-directed research in developing an ongoing practice as a curator, or to initiate this practice alongside developing research skills appropriate to the study of Latin American Art, and to art history as a field of study, and to provide the basis for them to develop the necessary levels of skill and knowledge required to progress to research degree level. This would involve close scrutiny and methodical research into key questions put to the discourses and history of curatorial practice as it relates to the display of Latin American art. To make students familiar with the basic principles of professional good practice in museum and gallery work, as well as other forms of curatorial practice, and to afford the opportunity to acquire technical competence in applying them. To develop in students the research skills appropriate to academic study of the history of exhibitions, or of exhibition curating, and other forms of contemporary curatorial activity and to provide the basis for them to develop the necessary levels of skill and knowledge required to progress to research degree level. To develop sound understanding of interpretative methods and forms of questioning appropriate to visual artefacts; including historical inquiry, theory of representation, aesthetic approaches to the value and function of visual art, and critical approaches to the conditions of the production, consumption, interpretation or reinterpretation of visual artefacts. To encourage both critical engagement with and enjoyment of the visual arts, particularly through first-hand observation, and to enable students to understand how to facilitate this engagement for others in an exhibition context or through other means of making contemporary art available, visible and accessible to audiences. To provide the knowledge and skills (critical inquiry and argument, imaginative understanding, written, spoken and visual interpretation, communication and presentation, basic project and financial management) that will not only stand students in good stead for more specialised museum, gallery, and freelance curating careers, but will also enhance their opportunities for employment in a wide range of other careers. Note: The outcomes listed below represent the minimum that might be expected of an MA graduate from the Department of Art History and Theory of the University of Essex. It is the intention of the Department that the vast majority of graduates will achieve significantly more.
Programme Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the programme a graduate should demonstrate knowledge and skills as follows:
A: Knowledge and Understanding
|
A1 : A range of Latin American visual art from conquest to the present day, including theoretical issues that have been central to its development A2 : The relationships of Latin American art to the broader cultural context A3 : (in greater depth) one or more artists, architects, exhibitions, theoretical texts and/or forms of Latin American visual art and architecture A4 : Some substantive areas of current research in the field of study including an awareness of the development of these areas of research. A5 : The methods of critical analysis and argument appropriate to visual artefacts A6 : The concepts, values and debates that inform study and practice in the field A7 : Practical aspects of exhibition making, including concept and research, planning and programming, drawing up budgets, negotiating loans, transport and insurance, catalogue production, security and object handling A8 : The purposes of exhibition making A9 : The range of methods for the interpretation of visual objects on display A10 : The history and theory of exhibition making and of museum display, plus other curatorial strategies as they apply to the curating of Latin American art |
B: Intellectual/Cognitive Skills
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B1 : Analyse a complex body of material, which may be incomplete, breaking it down into component points or parts and highlighting the most significant among them B2 : Synthesise evidence, arguments or ideas from different sources productively in a self-directed manner B3 : Reason critically and offer judgements based on argument that can be communicated effectively to a specialist or non-specialist audience B4 : Think independently and with an open-mind, sometimes making connections between familiar and new ideas or material |
C: Practical Skills
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C1 : Curatorial skills; including an understanding of working with a wide range of visual materials in both two and three dimensions in a gallery, museum of heritage environment C2 : Basic budget management skills C3 : Research Skills: including use of appropriate methods to locate primary and secondary sources, and works of visual art, but also forming research questions and pursuing them autonomously C4 : Critical Skills: including selection of relevant material, and appraisal of other people's arguments on the basis of familiarity with source materials and current literature C5 : Writing Skills: including use of proper academic conventions, creating logical and structured narratives, and effective use of language to convey particular and general responses of readers or viewers to works of visual art, and to articulate complex conceptual issues and create frameworks for understanding them C6 : Visual skills; including observation (including recognition of materials and techniques but also other aspects of works of visual art such as formal organisation or narrative structure), description (using ordinary as well as specialised language) and interpretation (recognising necessary differences between different forms of art, between language and visual art, making appropriate use of personal responses, relating works of visual art to historical and contemporary philosophical and cultural context) |
D: Key Skills
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Communication: D1 : The ability to communicate information, arguments and ideas cogently and effectively in a range of different contexts using a range of different aids or resources; special ability to deploy visual material in a variety of media in the context of presentations or written work IT Skills: D2 : Students should be able to make use of IT for research purposes (including searchable databases such as library catalogues and internet sources). Word-processing is essential. Numeracy: D3 : Students should be able to use basic budgeting and monitoring, invoicing and record keeping involving correct use of budget codes Problem Solving: D4 : Management of projects and timetables. Students should be able to apply knowledge and understanding in order to make judgements and offer solutions in a range of contexts. Working with Others: D5 : Students should be able to work in groups on practical assignments or find solutions to set problems Self Learning: D6 : Students should have the ability to: work to briefs and deadlines; take responsibility for their own work; reflect on their own learning and performance and make constructive use of feedback; develop their work independently of guidance for extended periods. |
Learning, Teaching & Assessment Methods or Strategies for the following:
A: Knowledge and Understanding
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Learning Methods 1-10 are acquired through module seminars and related coursework (with regular feedback, both oral and written, from tutors), reading seminars, lectures, curatorial practice sessions and site visits. Students are fully expected to extend and enhance the knowledge and understanding they acquire from seminars by regularly consulting library or archival materials related to the course, or in order to provide wider context. This independent research is consolidated in essay work and the final exhibition project. Curatorial practice covers all practical aspects of exhibition making (A5 to A10). There are workshop sessions led by visiting speakers. The four modules provide for in-depth study of major historical/theoretical issues in the field (all outcomes). Assessment Methods Assessment of students' knowledge and understanding takes place through coursework essays (4 x 3-5000 word essays) and a final individual portfolio documenting the exhibition project curating the Sloman Library Display from UECLAA. The core module 'Researching Art History' provides specialist training in critical analysis and in the concepts, values and debates relevant to art history. |
B: Intellectual/Cognitive Skills
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Learning Methods Intellectual and cognitive skills are practised in module seminars, either in responding to or giving presentations on agreed topics, and through the conception and preparation of the final assessed individual exhibition portfolio. The seminar work encourages critical discussion arising from the analysis and interpretation of exhibitions and other modes of curatorial activity with an emphasis on being able to reason cogently, argue coherently, present one's own viewpoint persuasively, and learn from others. Site visits to museums and galleries further encourage development of B2 and B4. Assessment Methods Students translate the skills acquired collectively into individually assessed essays and the dissertation The seminars are intended as practice sessions for cognitive skills. Students translate the skills acquired there collectively into individually assessed essays and in exhibition plans and research material generated for the individual exhibition portfolio. |
C: Practical Skills
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Learning Methods All MA teaching takes the form of seminars directed by a member of staff, but often developed in consultation with the students according to specific research interests in the group. The core module 'Researching Art History' provides training in research methods. Personal supervision is available to students in order to allow them to develop the topic for the essay in the relevant module. Considerable autonomy is encouraged in researching essays, the staff member aiming to assist in the formulation of research questions and in developing a strategy for answering them. All students are encouraged to attend the weekly Staff-Student Research Seminar, and to participate in debate on the topic presented. C1 and C2 are acquired through the Curatorial Practice element and is reinforced through site visits and discussions in some module seminars. C3-C6 are developed in seminars and modules and through related coursework. Assessment Methods Assessment is by essays and individual exhibition portfolio. |
D: Key Skills
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Learning Methods Communication is developed through seminar discussion and workshop in groups. Visual media skills are developed through personal instruction to students using audio visual media in class, and through class discussion of the significance the medium through which visual objects and images are presented to us, both in terms of informing students but also developing a critical appreciation of the relationship between image and context in any medium. Students are expected to acquire IT skills based on some initial guidance. Students will be given the opportunity to work constructively and productively in groups, and be able to participate in seminars. Students develop group working to a high level. Most seminars require students to present theories or historical material to the group, and to answer questions on the topic Assessment Methods Essays and final individual exhibition portfolio are assessed for qualities that incorporate these skills. The core module 'Researching Art History' provides training in IT and in developing and managing research projects |
SECTION C: COURSE STRUCTURE
Please refer to your option list as issued by the department where necessary,
and view module details in the module directory.
Components
| Component No. | Module Code | Module Title | Status in Award | Status in PG Diploma | Status in PG Certificate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | AR952-7-FY | Exhibition Portfolio (Individual Project) | Core | Compulsory | |
| 02 | AR932-7-SP | Researching Art History | Core | Core | Core |
| 03 | AR911-7-AU | Case Studies in the History of Museums and Exhibitions | Core | Core | Compulsory |
| 04 | AR912-7-AU | Managing Galleries and Exhibition Projects | Compulsory | Core | Compulsory |
| 05 | AR915-7-AU | Collecting Art From Latin America | Compulsory | Core | Compulsory |
| 06 | 20 CREDIT ART HISTORY HALF MODULE | Compulsory with Options | Compulsory | Compulsory |
SECTION D: RULES OF ASSESSMENT
Rules of assessment are here: http://www2.essex.ac.uk/academic/students/pgt/pgtrulesmenu.htm
Assessment information for individual modules can be found on the Module Directory at http://www.essex.ac.uk/courses/
See also: details of individual modules in the module directory and links to course materials and resources in the Online Resource Bank.
External Examiner Information
- Name: Dr Martin Hammer
- Institution: The University of Edinburgh
- Academic Role: Reader
NOTE
The University of Essex Programme Specifications Catalogue is updated annually in April/May. The specifications represent the most current course structures and may be subject to review and change. Should you have any queries about the Catalogue's pages, please contact the Course Records Team, Systems Administration Office, Academic Section; email: crt (non Essex users should add @essex.ac.uk)