Module Identifier ARM0130  
Module Title PORTFOLIO DEVELOPMENT  
Academic Year 2004/2005  
Co-ordinator Professor John Harvey  
Semester Semester 1  
Other staff Mrs Belinda J Marking, Mr Christopher P Webster, Mr Paul J Croft, Mr Robert K Meyrick, Mr Simon J Pierse  
Co-Requisite AHM0410 , ARM0300 , ARM0460 , ARM0260 , AHM0460  
Course delivery Seminars / Tutorials   Seminar 5 x 1.5 hr  
  Seminars / Tutorials   Tutorials 5 x 1 hr  
  Practical   287.5 hrs (Portfolio production)  
Assessment
Assessment TypeAssessment Length/DetailsProportion
Semester Assessment Course Work: Portfolio You must resubmit the failed component in the form of a portfolio of additional, new work100%

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
1. Produce a body of work to a prescribed deadline and a standard of excellence in conception and execution comparable with the professional practice in Fine Art (Aims: A,B)
work in a strategic, rational, informed, and self-determined manner
3. Identify and pursue and appropriate field of action and sepcify a research problem( Aims: B,C)
4. Discern a strand of related and qualitative work for immediate, future devleopment (Aim: D)
5. Discuss their work through academic discussion (in the context of tutorials and seminars) in relation to appropriate theoretical, practical, and historical contexts (Aim: E)

Relation to Assessment
Outcomes 1-4 are assessed through a Portfolio of preparatory studies
Outcome 5 is not assessed

Brief description

The module is an interface between your BA degree scheme experience and the first Exhibition of the MA degree scheme. The module provides a context for the initial development of Fine Art practice. You pursue an agreed programme of self-initiated, research-based study in Fine Art under tutorial supervision. The resultant portfolio should demonstrate that a student has extended their previous experience and practice, defined a specific subject matter, research problem, or field of action, and acquired and refined knowledge of technical, stylistic, theoretical, and historical frameworks relevant to their work. It should also manifest an enhanced capacity to be productive and experimental, and to work at an appropriate and consistent pace within a prescribed timeframe. In tutorials and seminars, you should demonstrate confidence in justifying and articulating your practice, and cognisance of relevant criteria in order to make discriminating judgements about your work. In these ways, the module is conceived as a means of instilling standards and strategies of professional practice.

These approaches are not peculiar to this module but underline all critical artistic activity. The module simply makes you very self-conscious of these approaches, so that you may improve them. Ultimately, quality is the paramount consideration. No amount of self-awareness, conceptualisation, and good working methodology will make up for deficiencies in the artwork.

Aims

The module aims to:
A. Enable the student to develop a portfolio of work over an extended period of tome that demonstrates a creative, productive, and imaginative interpretation of subject matter, the acquisition and refinement of appropriate technical and technological eexterity and stylistic sophistication, and an cognizance of appropriate conceptual, theoretical, and historical frameworks.
B. Enable the student to develop and sustain a self-initiated programme of work to this end in consultation with a supervisor, a progamme that defines a specific research problem and which is responsive to external driectives and the internal dynaimcs of the work
C. Challenge the student to experiment, test hypotheses, and broaden and extend their field of action, and ariculate verbally the criteria by which their work is made and assessed
D. Develop a body of work as a foundation for ARM0460 Exhibition 1
E. Develop the student's capacity to communicate orally and critically about their own and colleagues works in the context of 'Forum' seminars

Content

Tutorials
They are held, generally once-a-week (in negotiation with the student). The aim is to discuss and evaluate work in progress and to develop realistic strategies and short-term objectives. Students are expected to bring to tutorial both their practical work and source material (in the form of notes, reproductions, or texts) relevant to the discussion.

Forum seminars
The first seminar outlines the format aims, objectives, and assessment criteria for this component of the scheme. Thereafter, the syllabus of seminars is based upon individual presentations by students and staff associated with the degree scheme. They consist of a 20-minute delivery based on the individual's current art practice followed by a half-hour group discussion.

Practicals
Students are expected to work in their studios throughout the week. They determine their timetable. Along with research students, they have access to the School's building in the evening and at weekends. The expectation is that, over the period of each semester (which currently includes vacation periods also) students would accrue approximately 240 hours of `study-time' practice.

The syllabus represents a suggested programme of work. It is given as a general guide for student and tutor. It need not be maintained rigidly; indeed, it may be superseded by a very different programme agreed between the two parties. What is important is that some form of schedule is developed so that a body of work that fulfils the aims and objectives of the module is produced within the allotted time.

Tutorial 1 (Weeks 1-2)
Stage 1: Defining the area of study in terms of subject matter, materials, skills, approach (stylistic and/or theoretical), and relevant sources.

Tutorial 2 (Weeks 3-4)
Stage 2: Testing and development of the above and, if appropriate, devising alternative subject matter and operational strategies.

Tutorial 3 (Weeks 5-7)
Stage 3: Development of the successful subject matter and operational strategies

Tutorial 4 (Weeks 8-10)
Stage 4: Consolidation of the successful subject matter and operational strategies

Tutorial 5 (Week 11)
Stage 5: Consolidation of the successful subject matter and operational strategies, and reflection on achievement

VACATION
Stage 6: Implementation of outcome of refleciton and preparation of portfolio for presentation

Transferable skills

The module will assist the development of the following transferable skills:

Reading Lists

Books
Carole Gray et al (1995) Developing a Research Procedure Progamme for Artist and Designers Centre for Research in Art and Design, Robert Gordon University
Neil Gunther (1987) Debating and Public Speaking David & Charles
Marc Helgesen (1994) Active Listening: Building Skills for Understanding, Cambridge University Press
L A Hill (1980) Techniques of Discussion Evans
Kim Levin (1988) Beyond Modernism: Essays on Art form hte 1970s and 80s, Icon Editions Harper and Row
Anthony O'Heare (1994) 'What is Aesthetic Value' in Artists in the 1990s, Issues in Art Education 1 Wimbledon School of Art/Tate Gallery
Ralph Mayer (1973) Artists handbook of Materials and Techniues (1964) third edition Faber
Barbara Cockburn and Alex Ross (1978) Participatory Discussion University of Lancaster
Bert Braham (1995) The Graphic Art Studio Manual Collins
Max Doerner (1973) The Materials of the Artist and Their Use in Painting Hart-Davis MacGibbon

Journals
Art MONTHLY
AN Newsletter
Modern Painters
Arts Review
Flash Art
Frieze

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 7