Module overview
This compulsory module aims to deepen your understanding of historical and contemporary contexts relating to fashion design. You will learn to critically reflect upon and analyse your work within a contextual framework through visual, verbal and written communication.
In connection with your studio practice, you will explore theories, rationales and techniques through individual research, seminars and group discussions, thereby developing a greater understanding of colour, material and object analysis.
Aims and Objectives
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge and Understanding
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
- how to identify and evaluate complex fashion design sector histories, issues and problems
Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- pursue original research informed by appropriate sources and bodies of knowledge
Transferable and Generic Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- use self-reflection in the professional presentation and communication of research findings
Subject Specific Practical Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Visually explore contemporary and historical contexts to underpin the development of your design identity, evidencing analysis of relevant trends and practical fashion design techniques.
Syllabus
In conjunction with your studio practice, through this module you will learn self-critical judgement and thinking as it relates to the wider fashion field, from incidental and accidental exploration, through contextualisation and on towards the radical development of your ideas.
The skills gained through focused research methods, as well as academic study skills that include understanding the necessity for academic integrity, can be applied to all aspects of your professional life beyond the MA Fashion Design programme.
Learning and Teaching
Teaching and learning methods
Teaching Methods include:
- Tutor briefings
- Presentations
- Group and one-to-one tutorials
- Critical Reviews/Formative Feedback
- Introduction to professional and academic research skills
- Design and technical workshops
- Input from visiting lecturers/industry guest speakers
Learning Activities include:
- Independent learning, including reflection on verbal and/or written feedback
- Independent research and investigation
- Fabric and materials research
- Workshop-based learning
- Digital and studio practice
- Peer-group learning
- Class discussions
| Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Independent Study | 120 |
| Teaching | 30 |
| Total study time | 150 |
Resources & Reading list
General Resources
General Resource. 1. The Student Hub for advice and support 24/7 General Resource Description: https://www.southampton.ac.uk/studentservices/index.page 2. I-Solutions for digital support General Resource Description: https://www.southampton.ac.uk/isolutions/students/index.page 3. JISC Digital Capabilities General Resource Description: https://sotonac.sharepoint.com/teams/BuildingDigitalCapabilities/SitePages/Student-Help-Guide.aspx 4. Blackboard Ultra General Resource Description: https://sotonac.sharepoint.com/teams/BlackboardUltra/SitePages/About-Blackboard-Ultra.aspx Module announcements, assessment material, weekly resources, relevant reading lists and to specific projects will be listed on the project brief/s and available on blackboard. Additional resources will be signposted on Blackboard 5. Virtual Learning Environment and VPN General Resource Description: https://sotonac.sharepoint.com/teams/IT/SitePages/Services/SouthamptonVirtualEnvironment.aspx https://knowledgenow.soton.ac.uk/Articles/KB0011610 6. Library General Resource Description: https://library.soton.ac.uk/homepage 7. The Academic Skills Library page for study skills support: General Resource Description: http://library.soton.ac.uk/sash 8. LinkedIn Learning General Resource Description: https://sotonac.sharepoint.com/teams/LinkedInLearningatSouthampton 9. Digital Learning resource for students to access digital support General Resource Description: https://www.southampton.ac.uk/digital-learning/index.page 10. Academic Integrity issues: General Resource Description: http://library.soton.ac.uk/sash/what-is-academic-integrity 11. Harvard citing and referencing systems, including cite-them-right online resource: General Resource Description: http://library.soton.ac.uk/sash/referencing
Assessment
Formative
This is how we’ll give you feedback as you are learning. It is not a formal test or exam.
Critical review
- Assessment Type: Formative
- Feedback: Critical Reviews are intended to support your project development and provide written feedback before your final submission of this module.
- Final Assessment: No
- Group Work: No
Summative
This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Individual Design Journal | 50% |
| Illustrated essay | 50% |
Referral
This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Individual Design Journal | 50% |
| Illustrated essay | 50% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Individual Design Journal | 50% |
| Illustrated essay | 50% |