VH3S019 - Contextual Study 12 Mar 2019 - 31 Aug 2026 | Version 1

Associated Module Information

Module Code: VH3S019
Module Title: Contextual Study
Faculty: Faculty of Business and Creative Industries
Faculty Group: Music and Drama
Faculty Sub Group: Drama
Module Leader: Christopher Nurse, Martyn Jones
Module Team: Tiffany Oben
First Intended Intake: SEP 2019 Final Year of Intake: 2024
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 6
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 101361 - creative arts and design
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 1
Valid From 12 Mar 2019
Valid To 31 Aug 2026

Module Aims

To enable researching, planning, writing and presentation of an extended critical essay, which both informs art practice and demonstrates an awareness of current concerns in critical writing on art.

To encourage sceptical and reflexive practice and sound analytical and interpretive skills to be used appropriately in the development of persuasive, well evidenced argument.

Content Summary

The module is programmed as an immersive six week project at the start of the academic year. The module is based on the application of research methodologies. Seminars will hone analytical and interpretive skills required for research, planning and the writing of an extended essay on a chosen topic that is relevant to your has emerged out of personal studio practice and draws onthe the study of art history and contemporary art practiceprogramme to date. You will be guided in the development of a proposal, a working plan, essay drafts, a bibliography, and implementation of a research methodology. You will not be expected to engage in primary academic research. However, you are expected to gain first- hand knowledge of artefacts in museums and galleries, both in the UK and abroad. You will be expected to observe set deadlines for the formative assessment of drafts. Owing to the immersive nature of the module you will be expected to submit the proposal within fourteen days of the beginning of the module.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 12
Seminar 24
Tutorial 2
External visits 10
Independent Study 80
Directed Study 72
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Construct and sustain a coherent, literate, well organised and reasoned argument demonstrating significant independent research and critical thought.
LO2 Explain and evaluate relevant topics within a chosen field of enquiry, clearly identifying relationships between historical and contemporary art practice and theory.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Research Plan / Proposal / Project/ Log 1 Assessment of written proposal and working plan for contextual study 0 600 10 No 40
Asynchronous Assessment Project Output 1 Extended Essay 0 5400 90 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Research Plan / Proposal / Project/ Log 1 ✔ ✔
Project Output 1 ✔ ✔

Reading List

Concise/Indicative Reading List

Students are provided with selected texts and study skills via hard copy texts and Blackboard. Students are expected to continue to make use of reading lists from VH1S…Art and its Histories and VH2S… Art History: Contexts and Methodologies. In addition, students are expected to develop their own bibliographic resources as relevant to their essay question. Guidance on bibliographic content is provided in seminars and tutorials.

Joyner, R, L. (2013) Writing the Winning Thesis or Dissertation- a Step-by-Step Guide. California: Thousand Oaks Publishers

Jesson, J. (2011) Doing your Literature Review: Traditional and Systematic Techniques. London: Sage.

McMillan, K. (2010) How to Write Essays and Assignments. Harlow: Pearson Prestice Hall publishers

D’Alleva, A. (2010) How to Write Art History. London: Lawrence King Publishers.

Barnet, S. (2011) A Short Guide to Writing about Art. Boston Mass: Pearson Education.

Levin, P (2005) Excellent Dissertations. Maidenhead: Open University Press.

Walliman, N. (2005) You’re Undergraduate Dissertation. London: Sage Publications.

Swetnam, D (2000) Writing your dissertation: how to plan, prepare and present successful work. Oxford: How to Books.

Websites:

Art websites (artweb_links.html - access to all journals, websites, databases, information for art)

Art History Resources

Metropolitan Museum Timeline of History

National Gallery

Virtual Uffizi

Saatchi – Student site

Arts Council of Wales

Grove History of Art

Joyner, R, L. (2013) Writing the Winning Thesis or Dissertation- a Step-by-Step Guide. California: Thousand Oaks Publishers

Jesson, J. (2011) Doing your Literature Review: Traditional and Systematic Techniques. London: Sage

McMillan, K. (2010) How to Write Essays and Assignments. Harlow: Pearson Prestice Hall publishers

D’Alleva, A. (2010) How to Write Art History. London: Lawrence King Publishers.

Barnet, S. (2011) A Short Guide to Writing about Art. Boston Mass: Pearson Education

Levin, P (2005) Excellent Dissertations. Maidenhead: Open University Press.

Walliman, N. (2005) You’re Undergraduate Dissertation. London: Sage Publications

Swetnam, D (2000) Writing your dissertation: how to plan, prepare and present successful work. Oxford: How to Books.

Websites:

Art websites (artweb_links.html - access to all journals, websites, databases, information for art)

Art History Resources

Metropolitan Museum Timeline of History

National Gallery

Virtual Uffizi

Saatchi – Student site

Arts Council of Wales

Grove History of Art