FA1MA-Art and its Materials

Module Provider: Art
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:4
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Dr Florian Roithmayr
Email: f.roithmayr@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module introduces students to the connections between artworks and the material of their making. Key debates and historical trajectories that relate to specific media and the production of art will be explored. Discourses around medium-specificity and post-media approaches that have emerged through the 20th and 21st Centuries will be examined, questioned and discussed via the analysis of particular art works.

Aims:

- To foster an understanding of a range of debates about artistic media and what is at stake in the artists’ choice of materials.Ìý

- To develop an ability to analyse artworks and understand the relationship between ideas and form.Ìý

- To encourage a confidence that will help the student develop a critical position through writing.ÌýÌý

- To acquire skills in independent research and group learning, as well as writing and referencing.

Assessable learning outcomes:

- demonstrate a developing awareness and understanding of key trajectories and debates that inform modern and contemporary art practices

- display the ability to work with taught theoretical ideas and apply them in an analysis of contemporary artworks

- demonstrate an ability to reflect critically on artworks and discuss varying interpretations of the artwork

- examine and appraise a broad range of research material including primary text, exhibitions, artjournals, periodicals and web based sources

- organise and present a structured piece of writing that adheres to the conventions of referencing and bibliography

Additional outcomes:

This module will introduce students to the tools to analyse the relationship between materials used in art production and their interpretations. It will support and develop independence through equipping the students to make informed choices of what kind of materials to use to make artworks and how to approach materiality in writing about art. Students will also be encouraged to develop an online journal to help reflect on the module content and to practice writing in advance of submissions.

Outline content:

This module traces the shifting and often contradictory approaches and ideas that artists, critics and theorists developed in relation to the materials they used throughout the 20th and beginning of the 21st century: what counts as materials? What is done with, to and through materials? And how do materials in turn shape and effect art and its theories?

Global context:

The study of the relationship between medium and practice will offer a global context through a focus on international debates and critiques of influential art since 1900.Ìý

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

There will be 10 taught sessions of 2 hours. Each session will vary in format - sometimes they will be lecture based and we will closely examine relevant theories and discourses, other times we will analyse specific art works through close looking, watching or listening, other times we will do practical exercises that help us to engage further with particular works and modes of production. All sessions will involve group discussion.

Contact hours:

Ìý	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures		20
Seminars		2
Tutorials		5
Guided independent study:		173
Ìý	Ìý	Ìý	Ìý
Total hours by term		200
Ìý	Ìý	Ìý	Ìý
Total hours for module

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	100

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

You will submit a 2000 word essay in response to a question/topic specified by the convenor for summative assessment at the end of the module.

Formative assessment methods:

You will be required to submit a 500 word written analysis of an artwork for formative assessment midway through the module.

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: /cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

The essay must be submitted in order to gain a pass and achieve a threshold performance.

Reassessment arrangements:

Submission of additional essay by AugustÌý

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Last updated: 19 April 2023