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 Contemporary 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: | V3V6 |
| Publication date: | 06/07/2010 |
| 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. Allowances will be made for relevant experience in the field [for example gallery work]. 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 Contemporary 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 ways and methods of making contemporary art visible. 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. This would involve close scrutiny of and methodical research into key questions put to the discourses and history of curatorial practice as it relates to contemporary curatorial practices and the curating of contemporary 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 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 : 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 A2 : The purposes of exhibition making A3 : The range of methods for the interpretation of visual objects on display A4 : The history and theory of exhibition making and of museum display, plus other curatorial strategies as they apply to the curating of contemporary art A5 : The display of contemporary art as a challenge to traditional notions of the gallery or museum space A6 : The concepts, values and debates that inform study and practice in the field |
B: Intellectual/Cognitive Skills
|
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
|
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 users or viewers or works of architecture and design, and to articulate complex conceptual issues and create frameworks for understanding them. |
D: Key Skills
|
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
|
Learning Methods 1-6 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. Curatorial practice covers all practical aspects of exhibition making (A1, A3). There are workshop sessions led by visiting speakers. Reading seminars debate classic texts relating to curatorial practice and the history and theory of museum display (A2, A3, A4, A5, A6) The four modules provide for in-depth study of major historical/theoretical issues in the field (all outcomes). Assessment Methods Assessment of student's knowledge and understanding takes place through coursework essays (4 x 3-5000 word essays) and a final individual portfolio of project proposals incorporating a research journal that outlines key issues for the student's curatorial practice as it is described by the project proposals and associated research on those topics and the proposals. 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
|
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 projects portfolio and research journal. 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 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 projects portfolio and research journal. |
C: Practical Skills
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Learning Methods C1 and C2 are acquired through the Curatorial Practice element and are reinforced through site visits and discussions in some module seminars. C3-C5 are developed in seminars and modules and through related coursework. Tutorial supervision is available to assist and advise in the development of the topic for each 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. Assessment Methods Assessment is by essays and projects proposals portfolio. |
D: Key Skills
|
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 object are presented to us. 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 effectively 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 projects portfolio and research journal are assessed for qualities that incorporate most of these skills. |
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 | AR958-7-SU | Individual Project | Core | Compulsory | |
| 02 | AR932-7-SP | Researching Art History | Core | Core | Core |
| 03 | AR912-7-AU | Managing Galleries and Exhibition Projects | Compulsory | Core | Compulsory |
| 04 | AR911-7-AU | Case Studies in the History of Museums and Exhibitions | Core | Core | Compulsory |
| 05 | AR936-7-SP | Art, Politics and Ethics: Contemporary Art and Social Responsibility | Compulsory | Compulsory | Compulsory |
| 06 | ART HISTORY MODULE (20 CREDITS) | 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.
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)