FIN8099 : Dissertation
- Offered for Year: 2025/26
- Module Leader(s): Mr Nick Fox
- Lecturer: Ms Helen Smith, Professor Louise Wilson, Professor Uta Kogelsberger, Dr Christian Mieves, Ms Jo Coupe, Professor Jane Wilson
- 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: | 30 |
| ECTS Credits: | 15.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
The Master of Fine Art dissertation enables a sustained investigation into a subject of interest to the student and relevant to their studio practice that will support their development as a practitioner. It will develop the capacity to produce a piece of sustained and well-structured writing and/or a professional presentation on a topic relevant to the student's creative practice, encouraging detailed discussion of the contents of the dissertation, constructive research and clarity in written and verbal argument. 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 length is between 3000 and 6000 words (not including bibliography, appendices etc). The 15-20 minute presentation should be a succinct verbal account of the dissertation/critical essay topic supported by a well-structured PowerPoint presentation. The curated exhibition should be a well realised account of the dissertation/critical essay topic, supported by well-structured documentation. The educational workshop should be an exploration and communication of the dissertation/critical essay topic and supported by well-structured documentation.
Outline Of Syllabus
Tutorials will support the student in the structuring and finessing of the dissertation from the proposal stage though the draft stages to the final submission together with a workshop on presentation techniques.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 40:00 | 40:00 | Dissertation Presentation |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 1 | 2:00 | 2:00 | Presentation techniques. PIP/SYNC |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Drop-in/surgery | 2 | 0:30 | 1:00 | Additional surgery hours to support dissertation development, PIP/SYNC. |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 253:00 | 253:00 | Research and writing dissertation. |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Dissertation/project related supervision | 3 | 1:00 | 3:00 | Individual Tutorials. PIP/SYNC |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Module talk | 1 | 1:00 | 1:00 | Introduction to module. PIP/SYNC |
| Total | 300:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
The ability to produce a sustained and well structured piece of writing on a visual arts topic will be developed through individual tutorials and written feedback. Tutorials will monitor progress and focus on the planning, development and structuring of the dissertation. They will also develop the clarity of the written argument, and the content and form of the dissertation. Students will be asked to prepare for their tutorials and submit draft pieces of writing in advance.
The presentation techniques workshop will develop the students ability to present a 15 minute 'paper' developed from the 3000 word dissertation, verbally using powerpoint and/or video to an audience of their peers and Tutors.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dissertation | 1 | M | 100 | 4 options: A 6000 word dissertation/extended essay. B 3000 word essay & 15-20 min presentation. C 1500-3000 word essay & documentation of a curated exhibition. D 1500-3000 word essay & documentation from a delivered educational workshop |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
Based on the varying approaches to advancing their skill on the MFA programme, students are able to approach their final project in the following ways:
Assessment Option A: 6000-word dissertation. The subject of the dissertation will be identified as an outcome of the Year 1 module FIN8001. An aspect of the critical analysis and contextual review will be examined here in greater depth.
Assessment Option B: Lecture. 3000-word dissertation/extended essay, plus a 15-20 minute presentation – including PowerPoint or video. The subject of the dissertation/extended essay will be identified as an outcome of the Year 1 module FIN8001. An aspect of the critical analysis and contextual review will be examined in greater depth and will also have been presented to a group of peers and examiners as an Illustrated Presentation/ publicly presented paper.
Assessment Option C. Exhibition. 1500-3000 word critical essay plus documentation of a curated exhibition of art works. The subject of the essay/exhibition will be identified as an outcome of Year 1 module FIN8001. An aspect of the year one critical analysis and contextual review will be examined in greater depth and will also have been presented to an audience via public exhibition.
Assessment Option D. Workshop. 1500 -3000 word critical essay, plus outline and documentation of a delivered workshop. The subject of the essay/workshop will have been identified as an outcome of Year 1 module FIN8001. An aspect of the year one critical analysis and contextual review will be examined in greater depth and will also have been communicated via the design and delivery of an educational workshop.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- FIN8099's Timetable