Module Identifier AH20410  
Module Title PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE FOR STUDENTS OF ART HISTORY  
Academic Year 2007/2008  
Co-ordinator Mr Christopher P Webster  
Semester Semester 2 (Taught over 2 semesters)  
Other staff Ms Moira M Vincentelli, Mr Simon J Pierse, Dr Elizabeth McDermott, Mr Paul J Croft, Mr Christopher P Webster, Professor John Harvey  
Pre-Requisite AR10120 , AR10220 , AH10120  
Co-Requisite AR30130 , AH32020 , MG32020  
Course delivery Lecture   Part 1: 8 x 1 hour, 1 x 2 hour  
  Seminars / Tutorials   Part 1: 1 x 15 minute PDP tutorial per student Part 2, Routes A & B: 5 x 2 hours workshop/seminars + 1 x 15 minute tutorial per student  
Assessment
Assessment TypeAssessment Length/DetailsProportion
Semester Assessment (Semester 1) Group and PowerPoint Presentation (30%) and CV/Career Profile (20%) (Semester 2: Route B) Dissertation Proposal with Literature Review and Bibliography100%

Learning outcomes

On completion of this module, students should be able to:
Part 1
1.   effectively communicate, orally, in the public domain
2.   contribute as part of a team in a supportive manner, demonstrating appropriate leadership and initiative
3.   identify career possibilities and the steps required to achieve career goals
4.   prioritize and plan schedules
5.   produce a CV and a career profile

Part 2, Route B
1.   access, evaluate and deploy information technology and library sources
2.   develop an outline topic, methodology and bibliography in readiness for a dissertation
3.   word process documents to create a written proposal outlining the subject or research problem and strategy for the dissertation
4.   understand the expectations and demand of a dissertation and write an orderly bibliography that is pertinent and useful
5.   produce a professional statement accompanied by a PowerPoint presentation to promote themselves and present ideas in a clear, logical and orderly manner

Brief description

Part 1: Presentation, Communication and Methodology, Career Awareness, Preparing for a Vocation in the Art World.
In Semester 1 students are taught the principles and develop skills associated with effective communication and presentation. These will have an application for 2nd and 3rd year studies and also for employment. The module introduces information technology and writing skills and will encourage students to articulate and present ideas clearly and persuasively (both orally and visually) individually and in a group context. Students are enabled to identify job aspirations and strategic career goals. In respect of the latter, the module builds on the PDP program introduced in Year 1.
After Part 1, students split into groups for specialized seminars, workshops and demonstrations.

Part 2, Route B (Art History): Aspects of Research Methodology, Writing and Skills.
Route B introduces skills relevant to conducting academic study and research for essay and dissertation writing in Art History and Museum and Gallery Studies. It introduces students to sources of information, generally and at the Hugh Owen and National Libraries. Various research strategies are explained. The mechanics and techniques of good writing, scholarly presentation and the use of appropriate resources, methodologies and patterns of organization for learning are introduced through class-based exercises, projects and group activities. By the end of the module, students will have an awareness of the roles, responsibilities and relationship of student/supervisor, defined a dissertation topic and begun an initial draft in consultation with their elected supervisor. The module provides a forum to discuss problems and share solutions that are common to all students regardless of their dissertation subject.

Aims

This module, designed to help students develop an ethos of professionalism as artists, art historians and museum curators, is in two parts, one per semester. It teaches skills fundamental to communication in an academic and vocational context, introducing skills that will be developed and applied in the context of fine art and art history modules. This is a core module for students of Single Honours Fine Art, Single Honours Art History, Single Honours Museum & Gallery Studies, Joint Honours Fine Art and Art History, Joint Honours Fine Art and Museum & Gallery Studies. Semester 1 covers generic skills and knowledge, whilst in Semester 2, students select specialist pathways: Route A for SH Fine Art, Route B for SH Art History and SH Museum & Gallery Studies. JH students select ONE pathway.

Content

Semester 1: Career Awareness and Skills Development (10 hours)

1. Introduction and Module Rationale
2. Writing Workshop: Catalogue Introductions and Entries, Artist Statements, Biographies
3. Oral Presentations: Presenting a Paper as a Group or Individually
4. Pictures and Pixels: Using and Evaluating Electronic Resources
5. Planning and Designing a PowerPoint Presentation (2 hours)
6. The Gallery: A Curator'r Experience
7. Career Awareness: Careers in the Art World
8. Skills Assessment and CV Writing (followed by PDP tutorial)
9. Introduction to Postgraduate Study (includes forum with current PG students)Semester 2 (10 hours)

Route A: Planning an Exhibition
1. The Artist'r Experience: Making a Living as an Artist
2. Artist Groups, Print Workshops, Studios, Residencies and Funding Opportunities
3. Staging an Exhibition: Practical Considerations
4. Photographing of Works of Art for Record and Print or Electronic Publication
5. Presentation and Display: Mounting, Framing and Hanging an Exhibition

Route B: Dissertation Proposal
1. Finding and Deciding upon a Subject
2. Research Resources at UWA and the National Library of Wales
3. Literature Review
4. Tutorials with Dissertation Supervisors
5. Effective Academic Writing

Module Skills

Problem solving Conceiving a research project or exhibition proposal  
Research skills IT bibliographic searches, conceiving a research project, literature review, exhibition proposal  
Communication Oral discussion and presentation individually and in a group.  
Improving own Learning and Performance Self management, meeting deadlines, self directed project work  
Team work Group activities, preparation and presentation.  
Information Technology IT and information handling, bibliographic searches for literature review, word processing, PowerPoint presentation, digital imaging  
Personal Development and Career planning Development of a career profile. The module is specifically designed to highlight career awareness, transferable skills  

Reading Lists

Books
** Recommended Text
Beryle, M. K. Selling your Art Work: A Marketing Guide for Fine and Commercial Artists Barnes Yoseloff
Blazter , L and Hughes, C 1996 (1996) How to Research University of Warwick
Clanchy, John and Ballard, Brigid (1994) How to Write Essays: A Practical Guide for Students Melbourne, Longman Cheshire
Crawford, Tad and Mellon, Susan The Artist-Gallery Partnership: A Practical Guide to Consigning Art
Cryer, P (1996) The Research Student�s Guide to Success University College, London
Duffin, Debbie Investigating Galleries: An Artist�s Guide to Exhibiting
D�Alleva, Anne , 2005 (2005) Methods and Theories of Art History London, Laurence King
Edwards, Steve (ed.) 1999 (1999) Art and its Histories: A Reader New Haven and London, Yale:
Fairbainu, Gavin and Winch, Christopher (1996) Reading, Writing and Reasoning, a Guide for Students Milton Keynes, Open University
Holden, Donald (1983) Art Career Guide: A Handbook for Art Students, Teachers, Vocational Councillors and Job Hunters New York, Watson-Guptill:
Mandell, S (1988) Effective Presentation Skills Kogan Page
Mandell, Steve (1988) Effective Communication Skills Kogan Page
Open University : 1988 (1988) Key Skills: Making a Difference Milton Keynes, Open University /DFEE
Periodicals: Art Monthly, Artist Newsletter, The Art Book: Issues, News and Reviews www.cywaithcymru.org, www.artswales.org, www.a-n.co.uk..

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 5