Research Project and Thesis

This is the largest module in this course, consisting of 60 of the 90 credits. It concentrates on the student initiating a research proposal which will then be guided and developed to completion by the end of the module.

There are two strands to this module.

First, a practice-based element where the student focuses on developing their art, film, digital media or socially engaged practice to completion.

The second strand, the Critical Review, seeks to critically contextualize their practice through the written form, taking into consideration the wider social and cultural fields in which their practice will perform.

Teaching proceeds through one-to-one and group tutorials and critiques. The project culminates with the production of a final exhibition, film screening or project presentation.

1. Ability to complete a final research project at an advanced professional level for public engagement/exhibition, taking it through proposal, planning and final stages to completion

2. Demonstrate advanced knowledge of essential research skills to locate and access relevant material through exhibitions, screenings, symposia, libraries, archives, data bases and other resource centres

3. Apply analytical and research skills through the consideration of challenging exhibitions, film, written texts and visual artifacts

4. Reflect critically upon their own practice in relation to competing models of practice and competing value systems at play within contemporary creative practices. These can range from methodological concerns to wider ethical concerns such as diversity and sustainability

5. Display core research and writing skills necessary for the production of a critically reflective contextualisation of their practice