Module overview
This module is the culmination of your studies on the MA Contemporary Curating programme, affording you the opportunity to demonstrate the theoretical and practical approaches to curation you have developed.
Through tutorials and seminars, but primarily through independent practice, students will be supported in this module in their development of realisations of their individual curatorial interests, exploring experimental techniques and attitudes, demonstrating the knowledge, skills and relationships built over the course of the programme.
You will deliver an in-depth written academic dissertation, realise a documented project or submit a fully-detailed project proposal for a designated space.
Aims and Objectives
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge and Understanding
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
- the design, research, planning and realisation of a sustained professional curatorial project
- the advanced contribution of your work to the inclusive, ethical and sustainability responsibilities related to the future of Curating.
Subject Specific Practical Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of all relevant practical issues of installation and presentation
Disciplinary Specific Learning Outcomes
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Demonstrate management of relationships with third parties to achieve practical presentational goals.
Transferable and Generic Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- critically reflect on your inclusive, ethical and sustainable professional development opportunities.
- create a project that demonstrates creative problem-solving and effective communication techniques.
Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- advance critical awareness of inclusive, ethical and sustainable practices related to curating
- synthesise and create through data, information, methods and appropriate techniques, a project that creates original outputs
Syllabus
You may deliver as your final outcome an applied project, in the form of a fully-resolved and detailed exhibition proposal for a designated space, or a realised project, fully documented.
The final project is a significant piece of self-directed research. It aims to give you the opportunity to undertake an extended piece of independent research, with guidance from a supervisor. It will require reflection on theoretical and methodological frameworks, and critical analysis relating to your chosen topic. It will enable you to make an original contribution to curatorial literature and prepare you for progression to more advanced study and/or to work beyond academia.
During the summer you will primarily be working independently to execute and write up your research project. You will have periodic meetings with a supervisor to monitor your progress and discuss any problems that arise. Throughout this period, you will submit draft chapters and sections for feedback at your supervision meetings.
Learning and Teaching
Teaching and learning methods
Teaching methods include:
- Introductory group seminar
- Individual and group tutorials from designated specialist final project supervisor
- Support with Ethics and ERGO procedure
- Limited support with mounting realised project, if required
Learning method:
- Independent study of module materials
| Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Independent Study | 585 |
| Teaching | 15 |
| Total study time | 600 |
Resources & Reading list
Textbooks
Gray, Carole & Malins, Julian (2004). Visualising Research: A Guide to the Research Process in Art and Design. Burlington: Ashgate.
Graham, Beryl and Cook, Sarah (2010). Rethinking Curating: Art After New Media. London and Cambridge: MA: Leonardo .
Hoffmann, Jens (2014/17 (There are two versions of this and both are useful)). Show time : the 50 most influential exhibitions of contemporary art. London : Thames and Hudson.
Eco, Umberto (2015 (1977)). How to Write a Thesis. London and Cambridge: MA: The MIT Press.
Lucy Steeds (2014). Exhibition. London: Whitechapel Art Gallery.
Cottrell, Stella (2019). The Study Skills Handbook. London: Red Globe Press.
Assessment
Formative
This is how we’ll give you feedback as you are learning. It is not a formal test or exam.
Draft piece
- Assessment Type: Formative
- Feedback: tutorial
- Final Assessment: No
- Group Work: No
- Percentage contribution: 100%
Summative
This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Final project | 100% |
Referral
This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Final project | 100% |
Repeat
An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Final project | 100% |