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Module

FIN4023 : Art Writing

  • Offered for Year: 2024/25
  • Module Leader(s): Dr Stephen Moonie
  • Owning School: Arts & Cultures
  • Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters

Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.

Semester 1 Credit Value: 20
Semester 2 Credit Value: 20
ECTS Credits: 20.0
European Credit Transfer System

Aims

This module aims to further engage and develop your understanding of your own position in relation to the field of contemporary art practice and criticism, and the practices of contemporary art institutions and events. In response to this you will develop a series of pieces of writing, paying close attention to your target audience, writing style and purpose (whether review, critique, theoretical argument etc.). The course will be assessed on the basis of a portfolio of printed or online critical writings in response to exhibitions, theorists and art criticism, and the delivery of a paper at a group symposium. You will be expected to keep a blog/journal of your research practice and the development of your thinking.

The module aims to build on the skills in self-directed learning and self-initiated research acquired in FIN3097 and consolidate the skills in visual and written analysis developed throughout your degree programme. You are expected to source your own materials, select your own focus, and manage your own time in the development of your portfolio.

Outline Of Syllabus

The module is designed around self-initiated study. The student is intended to undertake the necessary reading, research and gallery-visits in order to enable them to complete their portfolio of work. There will be an introductory lecture on the module and dealing with some core concepts in contemporary art and thereafter there will be group seminars dealing with conceptual issues, contemporary journals and institutions. Students are expected to keep a blog detailing their research progress and methodology and, at the end of the course these are submitted with the portfolio of writing.

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities
Category Activity Number Length Student Hours Comment
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion180:0080:00N/A
Guided Independent StudyDirected research and reading121:0012:00Online asynchronous seminar enhancement.
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesSmall group teaching122:0024:00In-person seminars.PiP
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesDissertation/project related supervision41:004:00One-to-one tutorials. PiP
Guided Independent StudyIndependent study1280:00280:00Independent reading and seminar preparation.
Total400:00
Teaching Rationale And Relationship

1. Seminars: to encourage interaction and the development of cognitive and key skills. In a peer-supported environment students are encouraged to articulate their aims, develop their critical position on the seminar topic and set readings and discuss aspects related to the research, structure, writing and presentation of their portfolio. This is enhanced by structured online learning activities, eg. group annotation of readings, visual analysis.

2. Tutorials encourage students to articulate their aims, define their subject area and demonstrate their grasp of the material involved. They are an opportunity to provide advice to the student on all aspects of the research, content, structure and presentation of the portfolio and critical feedback on strengths and weaknesses of work in progress.

If Covid-19 restrictions lead to another lockdown and university closures, PiP delivery can be moved to synchronous online delivery.

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Exams
Description Length Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Oral Presentation202M15N/A
Other Assessment
Description Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Reflective log2A5N/A
Portfolio2A803 assignments total 7000-8000 words
Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The course work affords students the opportunity to conduct research with seminar and peer support into their particular areas of interest, to demonstrate a range of approaches to art writing through the three-part portfolio, to develop their organisational, group-work and presentation skills in reporting back to their peers through an oral presentation, either in person or online. The reflective log allows them to document and demonstrate their research process. The course as a whole is design to enable students to demonstrate their ability to think independently, self-select and initiate tasks and work in a self-motivated manner.

If Covid-19 restrictions lead to another lockdown and university closures, the oral presentation assessment component can be moved online. Students are now familiar with online modes of teaching and engagement, so this is unlikely to present a problem for them.

Reading Lists

Timetable