FAMDIS: Art Dissertation

Module code: FAMDIS

Module provider: Art; School of Arts and Communication Design

Credits: 60

Level: Postgraduate Masters

When you'll be taught: Semester 1 / 2

Module convenor: Professor Alun Rowlands, email: a.rowlands@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: No

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 20 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module enables you to conduct an extended independent research project.

It aims to develop your mastery of a critical interest by identifying key research questions and insights into established practice. It promotes a sustained investigation, relevant to artistic practice, that will support your development as a critical practitioner. It further develops your analysis and organisation of research material, articulating arguments and organizing long-form writing.

The module encourages the exploration of a variety of approaches to the formation of the dissertation and the development of a format appropriate to its content and aims.

The purpose of the module is to provide guidance, support, and training through research skills. It further activates informed critical reflection upon relations between practice and the discourses of contemporary art. Competencies you acquire through the module are applicable to further research or employment opportunities.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to: 

1. Identify and research a question suitable for artistic research, extending learning through enquiry appropriate to the discipline 
2. Master a depth of knowledge and analysis, relevant to the dissertation, with intercultural and global outlook  
3. Sustain critical argument that incorporates evidence and material derived from primary sources, direct experience, and study of works of art  
4. Use appropriate scholarly apparatus for referring to visual and textual sources, evidencing critical evaluation of bibliographical research 

Module content

The module provides you with the opportunity to identify, research, and organise a significant piece of writing. Extending you research skills, the module includes training to identify relevant material, use of effective resources and to establish a context for the research. Analysis is fostered through the interpretation of sources, identifying arguments and evaluation of reading, experience, and research. Presentation is mastered through structuring and organising research material, coherent argument and accessible forms of writing including a bibliography. The dissertation is undertaken with the support and advice provided through peer review, small-group, and tutorial meetings.

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The dissertation is focused on self-directed research and study. You will work closely with your supervisor, agreeing a research question, plan and approach for the dissertation. Formative and Summative assessments are introduced at the beginning of the module through an assessment guide.

In Semester 1 you will explore approaches to art writing through a series of seminars and workshops that model modes of art writing. Structured research and reading activities accompany the opportunity to lead a seminar in support of your dissertation research.

In Semester 2 you are required to participate in peer review and attend tutorial meetings, to present and discuss the development and progress of their writing.

Study hours

At least 34 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 50% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

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

Assessments with numerical marks

• 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 three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: /cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/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.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

• Students receive feedback on their dissertation proposal
• Students give a presentation on their research-in-progress
• Draft dissertation submission
• Participate in Peer Review
• Drafts of work with feedback and feedforward from their supervisor

Reassessment

Additional costs