Aims

The module aims:
- To consolidate the skills, knowledge and understanding students have acquired in Stages 1-3 and to support further development and application in bringing a body of studio work towards resolution
- To further develop students' ability to be rigorous in critical assessment of studio work
- To further develop students' knowledge and understanding of professional practice
- To progressively enhance students' capacity to work independently
- To enhance students' skills in presentation, planning and organisation

Students develop further the skills and understanding established in Stages 1-3 and apply them to develop, sustain and resolve a body of studio work for presentation in June in the Degree Show exhibition. They do this within a framework of tutorial support, visiting speaker lectures, a varied programme of group discussions and access to specialist technical support.
This is complemented by Life Work Art workshops and a one-day conference which increase students' awareness of the professional context of their practice and prepare them for opportunities in the cultural sector.

Outline Of Syllabus

Student-led studio practice and its development and contextualisation is supported by a varied programme of teaching and learning built around the following key components:
1. Tutorials with a designated Final Year supervisor (3 per semester)
2. Access to additional tutorial support from the range of Fine Art staff and artists from the Visiting Speaker's Programme.
3. Weekly lectures by visiting artists, writers, critics and curators.
4. Regular peer group presentations and discussions in the Final Year Forum which is held each week until Easter.
5. Group studio discussions (crits), including cross-year debate, of work in progress (2 per semester).
6. Life Work Art workshops (5 per year) and one-day conference at which artists, arts administrators and others from the cultural sector present a varied programme of workshops.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Tutorials:
Supervisor, visitng artist and 'surgery' tutorials provide the framework for discussion and advice relating to all principal learning outcomes. It supports the student in developing their working methods, critical judgement and skills in managing a project of studio work from start to finish. Tutorial discussion fosters awareness of the professional, historical and contemporary context in which the student is working. It facilitates thorough consideration of the relationship between intention, form and technical realisation. A strategic mid-year tutorial review with three members of staff identifies and offers feedback on principal strengths and weaknesses.

Group Teaching:
Studio crits help the students to articulate their ideas and plans and to form ciritcal judgement of their own work and that of their peers. These skills are further developed through participation in the weekly Final Year Forum in which students gain experience of visual presentations in a lecture theatre setting and receive feedack from staff. Final Year Forum also prompts students to reflect more broadly on the development of their practice. The Life Work Art programme (workshops and one-day conference) develops the student's awareness of opportunities in the cultural sector and equips them to prepare for, and respond to them.

Lectures:
The weekly Visiting Speaker's Programme exposes students to a range of contemporary Fine Art practice increasing their knowledge and awareness of the context in which they are working.

Independent Study:
Daily independent studio study forms the basis for all tutorial and group studio discussion and sees the development and application of all associated skills, knowledge and understanding.
The staging of the Degree Show exhibition provides experience of professional presentation, planning and organisation. Practical work in the studio is complemented by further private study and exhibition visits which enhance the student's knowledge of contemporary practice, their awareness of the context in which they are working and issues of professional practice and presentation.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The presentation of completed studio work for exhibition in the Degree Show and a portfolio of supporting material allows the students to provide evidence of:
1. The application of rigorous, inventive and appropriate methods and strategies for the develoment, critical evaluation and resolution of studio work.
2. An understanding of the relationship between intention and technical realisation.
3. An understanding of the formal elements of visual art means.
4. Effective management of a project of studio work from initiation through to presentation.
5. An understanding and awareness of contemporary Fine Art Practice.