University of Bradford: Undergraduate Programme specification
UNIVERSITY OF BRADFORDSchool of Lifelong Learning and DevelopmentProgramme/course title: BA (Hons) Fine Art
Awarding Institution:Teaching Institution: / University of Bradford
Craven College
Final award: / Bachelor or Arts with Honours in Fine Art [Framework for Higher Education Qualifications level 6]
Programme title: / BA (Hons) Fine Art
Programme approved / accredited by: / University of Bradford
Duration: / Full-time 3 years / Part-time 6 years (maximum)
UCAS code: / N/A
Subject benchmark statement: / http://www.qaa.ac.uk/academicinfrastructure/benchmark/statements/adha08.asp
Date produced: / April 2011
Last updated : / -
Introduction
The programme offers a professionally orientated degree course, which will prepare you for fine art practice. The course focuses upon the breadth of fine arts practices within a stimulating and challenging studio environment. Initially you will be taught specialist skills and techniques in areas such as drawing, life drawing, printing, painting, sculpture and digital media. You will be encouraged to develop your skills and approaches in one or more of these areas, whilst developing the ability to contextualise your studio practice within historical, social and cultural issues. The course offers a pluralistic approach to the teaching of Fine Art. You will be encouraged to develop your ideas in whichever medium you wish. The Craven College Fine Art studios, constructed in 2003 are naturally lit and purpose built on the edge of Skipton overlooking the dramatic landscape of the North Yorkshire dales. All studio staff are expected to have a creative arts practice whereby their research interests inform their teaching in studio practice. You will be exposed to current debates and issues within contemporary practice, and develop your work within a practical studio discipline. The course places emphasis on you achieving focus, resolution, independence and professional handling/presentation in your practice.
Input from tutors may include specialisms such as print-making, textiles, digital video, sculpture, painting and drawing. The course will respond to your particular interest through a flexible delivery structure that reacts to interest and need. In the second year you will have access to specialist staff on a day to day basis through micro tutorials.
You will have the opportunity to exhibit externally, online and during the final year degree show as a means to promoting your practice within the wider visual arts industry. The course aims to ensure that you achieve the academic and practitioner standards as laid out in the QAA Benchmark Statement relevant to Art & Design.
Programme Aims
The programme is intended to:
· Provide a high quality programme of study in the processes and development of Fine Art Studio practice, with a professional and contextual focus, which will develop your academic, conceptual and creative skills for employment and wider life.
· Widen participation in the Visual Arts sector and widen access to higher education from under-represented groups in the College and the local Area.
· Contribute to the skill base of the region and other local economies in the context of opportunities in the Visual Arts sector.
· Produce capable and well-rounded graduates who will make a contribution to the creative needs of the regional and national economies and have appropriate knowledge and skills.
· Develop a range of skills and techniques, personal qualities and attitudes essential for successful performance in working life.
Programme Learning Outcomes
Knowledge & understanding
On successful completion of this programme you will be able to:
· Demonstrate a range of specialist fine art production processes
· Demonstrate knowledge of the key functions of contextual and critical studies in Fine Art
· Use visual language effectively as an imaginative and creative response to visual ideas
· Explain how visual arts organisations relate to each other and support/employ practicing artists
· Select, employ and use conceptual techniques and understanding in the production of Fine Art work
· Assess the central debates and methodologies central to the analysis of fine art
· Apply knowledge of histories, cultural contexts and theories to development of own practice
· Analyse procedures for project spaces, publicity, artist led initiatives, marketing strategies, artist contracts/budgets, commercial and public funding bodies related to fine art practice
· Critically apply and use effectively learnt knowledge of fine art contexts in inception and development of aims and objectives outlined in statement of intent
· Critically evaluate relevant professional, theoretical, historical and critical issues as appropriate to the topic
· Independently develop original body of work using knowledge and understanding of fine art concepts and theories
· Evaluate progression opportunities available within the visual arts industry in order to make informed decisions regarding your progression
Subject Specific Skills
On successful completion of this programme you will be able to:
· Experiment with a range of materials and processes
· Define the social, psychological, cultural, historical, political and aesthetic factors that influence Art and Design
· Locate an area of visual exploration that demonstrates a progression of technical and creative skills
· Explain the role of the artist and his/her relationship with exhibiting, artist studios, galleries, museums, public and private agencies, community projects, residencies and curator roles
· Demonstrate creative use of a range of fine arts practices and techniques to produce considered fine art outcomes
· Utilise relevant theoretical approaches in interpreting and writing about art and artists
· Demonstrate use of both convergent and divergent thinking in the production of fine art work
· Exhibit the ability to instigate marketing initiatives, write submissions/proposals, and research both public and private funding organisations
· Use contemporary and historical theories when undertaking critical self-evaluation and reflecting on progress of aims and objectives outlined in statement of intent
· Critically evaluate and synthesize an area of specialist knowledge in your chosen area
· Critically apply theoretical and aesthetic contexts in development and presentation of own work
· Promote own studio practice and generate materials and information for progression into chosen area of visual arts industry
Personal Transferable Skills
On successful completion of this programme you will be able to:
· Demonstrate an ability to manage your time and learning constructively
· Present appropriate ideas and arguments in written and other forms
· Demonstrate how research has contributed to, and informed your method of working
· Source, navigate, select and evaluate information
· Work both independently and collaboratively, manage own workload and meet both personal and group agreed deadlines
· Gather, evaluate and use resources effectively
· Apply critical reasoning and judgment
· Demonstrate independence to communicate effectively in both oral and written form using paper based and digital technologies
· Use the views of others in the development and enhancement of own work
· Synthesize primary and secondary sources effectively
· Independently manage own workloads and deadlines
· Analyse own practice, formulate independent judgments, and articulate reasoned arguments through reflection, review and evaluation
Curriculum
Level 4
Module Code / Module Title / Type / Credits / Level / SemesterFundamentals in Studio Practice 1 / Core / 40 / 4 / 1
Fundamentals in Fine Art Context / Core / 20 / 4 / 1
Fundamentals in Studio Practice 2 / Core / 40 / 4 / 2
Fundamentals in Professional Practice / Core / 20 / 4 / 2
Level 5
Module Code / Module Title / Type / Credits / Level / SemesterExtended Studio Practice 1 / Core / 40 / 5 / 1
Extended Fine Art in Context / Core / 20 / 5 / 1
Extended Studio Practice 2 / Core / 40 / 5 / 2
Extended Professional Practice / Core / 20 / 5 / 2
Level 6
Module Code / Module Title / Type / Credits / Level / SemesterAdvanced Studio Practice 1 / Core / 40 / 6 / 1
Fine Art Dissertation / Core / 30 / 6 / 1 and 2
Advanced Studio Practice 2 / Core / 40 / 6 / 2
Advanced Professional Practice / Core / 10 / 6 / 2
See Appendix 1: Curriculum Map
The curriculum may change, subject to the University's course approval, monitoring and review procedures
Teaching and Assessment Strategies
Teaching and learning strategies are taken from a wide range and are appropriate to the nature of the student profile. Strategies may include: lectures, seminars, tutorials, workshops, use of exemplars and case studies, visiting speakers, independent student reading and research, practical sessions, presentations, directed reading, use of VLEs, workshops. The course provides a clear sequence of interrelated modules, which utilise core themes of research, analysis, development and application of creative ideas. You will be encouraged to develop a working practice through the cross-over of theory and practice. Exhibitions and collaborative work inside and outside of the college will offer an Honours Degree rich in aesthetic experience, enabling you to make mature decisions about practicing fine art in order to compete in national and international environments.
In the first part of the course you will be introduced to a breadth of fine art practices through staff-led projects, practical workshops, lectures and seminars and external study visits. A sense of rigor and discipline within studio practice and the potential for research and development towards exhibition outcomes is investigated and explored throughout the course.
Teaching, learning and assessment methods are designed to enable you to acquire the knowledge, understanding and skills that the contemporary art practitioner will require, which are set out within the learning outcomes of the course. The majority of the work undertaken is visual art studio based and teaching is responsive to differing learning styles and experiences. The studio teaching is delivered through a variety of tutorials, including group and one-to-one, collaborative work, a series of formal and informal lectures, tutor-led and student-led seminars, visiting speakers, residential study visits, workshops and supporting group activities.
Feedback will be delivered on a formative and summative basis both during each module and on completion. You will receive regular constructive advice on work in progress within studio practice and during one to one tutorials. Within group discussion you will articulately critique the work of your peers and provide supportive feedback to each other about direction and content of studio practice. You will also have the opportunity to receive guidance from visiting speakers and lecturers. There will be an opportunity to participate in an optional international or national residency in order to further your experience of the fine art industry.
Assessment methods on the course include the production of visual art in the studio, developmental studio work, developmental written work for contextual analysis, and associated exhibitions/presentations of studio production and portfolio reviews. Assessment also involves written assignments, verbal and illustrative presentations, self-assessment and evaluation.
See Appendix 2: Assessment Map
See Appendix 3: Teaching Map
Assessment Regulations
Craven College’s HE Scheme assures consistency and rigour in marking through internal and external moderation or verification as appropriate. Consistency and parity is achieved through the definition of the forms of assessment and a requirement for each programme to adopt a range of assessment methods. Assessment is governed by a structure, which is rigorous and transparent. Module assessments are reported through the Route Examination Committee attended by University of Bradford representative/s. Student progression recommendations are made at the Scheme Board of Examiners and ratified by the University of Bradford.
Extract from the Craven College HE Scheme, p13: Figure 4. HE Scheme Board of Examiners Flowchart
Admission Requirements
The admission of any applicant to a programme of study (course) is based on the academic judgement that the applicant has a reasonable expectation of being able to:
· fulfil the aims and outcomes of the course and
· achieve the standard of the course
Merit and Ability: To ensure that students are recruited on the basis of their relevant merits and abilities, admission and selection criteria and procedures will be monitored and reviewed by the Scheme Committee.
Equal Opportunities: The Scheme will offer equal opportunities for access to its programmes and in line with college policy, the admissions procedures will operate so as to ensure that no applicant is disadvantaged on the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation, ethnic or national origin, colour, age, marital status, disability, social class, political or religious belief and activities, unless those activities are contrary to the policies of the College.
Widening Participation: The College actively seeks to widen access by attracting students who may lack formal qualifications because of lack of opportunities in earlier life, or because they have been disadvantaged due to gender, race or disability. The Scheme supports this objective.
Information for applicants: The admissions policy and criteria for admission to a programme will be detailed in all published and promotional literature: HE Prospectus, college website, course leaflets.
Candidate’s suitability for the course will be assessed through possessing the below admission requirements and interview with a portfolio of work that demonstrates an ability to manipulate media and ideas at a level 3/4 standard. Candidates may required to submit a piece of written work for prior assessment:
· Level 3 qualification/s totalling 200 UCAS points
o BTEC National Diploma (MMP) or Certificate (DM) in Art and Design or equivalent.
o Diploma in Foundation Studies in Art and Design (M)
· 5 GCSE’s including English Language (Grade C or above)
· Students with a relevant HNC may be able to transfer credit in certain modules onto the Degree
Entry onto a programme is normally at the beginning of (NQF) level 4 except where applicants may be eligible for admission on the basis of prior certificated and/or experiential learning i.e. APL and/or APEL. Normally applicants will not be admitted to a point more than half way through a level of the proposed programme of study. The importation of credit is up to 50% of the balance of the award. The College’s Accreditation of Prior Learning Policy and Procedures will be applied in all cases, and in discussion with the partner University Liaison Representative where appropriate. For example, undertaking a piece of work relevant to the subject area (s)
Learning Resources
Curriculum Resources
The two principal campuses of Craven College are in Skipton town centre and at Aireville on the outskirts of the town. The Aireville Campus is the principal campus for teaching the curriculum for students aged 16 to 18.