Postgraduate Course: Work-based Dissertation in History of Art (MSc in History of Art, Theory and Display) (HIAR11071)
Course Outline
School | Edinburgh College of Art |
College | College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences |
Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
Course type | Dissertation |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
SCQF Credits | 60 |
ECTS Credits | 30 |
Summary | The work-based dissertation offers students the opportunity to develop their dissertation within a professional working environment related to the study of art history. Projects are arranged with appropriate host organisations (museums, galleries, libraries, conservation trusts, or other appropriate cultural organisations). |
Course description |
Working on specific projects identified by the University and the host organisation, students gain valuable work experience but also carry out academic work that is useful to the host. The project may be a research project that is designed specifically for the student, or the student may contribute to a larger ongoing project involving one or several staff in the organisation. Depending on the nature of the project, students may not be based within the host organisation during the entire period of the project.
Students are selected for work-based projects on the basis of their interest, their general capability for the work (knowledge, ability to work independently, etc.), and also their preferred type of work environment. Subject to availability, and the appropriateness of the project, students will be allocated an academic supervisor who will provide student support and academic supervision. Whilst on placement, students work under the supervision of a member of staff of the organisation.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Course Delivery Information
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Academic year 2023/24, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
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Quota: None |
Course Start |
Block 5 (Sem 2) and beyond |
Course Start Date |
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Timetable |
Timetable |
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
600
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Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 12,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
588 )
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Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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Additional Information (Assessment) |
Assessment:
The work-based dissertation consists of two elements: a discussion of the context of the work and an academic piece of research:
A) Context (a maximum of 2,000 words worth 15 % of the final mark).
This should include a description of the principal tasks carried out during the placement and an account of their relation to the main work of the host institution. Issues that may be discussed here include: the institution's structure, staffing, policy, funding, local and national context and recent history. This part should also reflect on the skills acquired during the placement, and include an evaluation of the general experience.
B) Academic Research Output (a maximum of 13,000 words worth 85% of the final mark).
This will vary depending on the nature of the placement undertaken. It can be a straightforward piece of research, based on archival and other sources; it may focus on a topic deriving from the activities undertaken within an organization and might have a curatorial focus (e.g. an exhibition proposal). This part takes the form of a conventional dissertation and should open with a clear definition of the topic and of the main issues to be addressed. |
Feedback |
Formative Feedback:
Individual supervision will be arranged between the academic supervisor and the student. In addition an interim meeting shall be arranged, at a date mutually agreed with the student, the university supervisor and the organisation, in order to assess the progress of the project.
The student is expected to produce a list of action points in response to the meeting.
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No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the workings of an organisation in the creative sector.
- Demonstrate detailed knowledge of material in a local collection.
- Apply academic knowledge of History of Art and art-historical methods to the project
- Exercise autonomy in developing and executing a substantial research project while working on behalf of the organisation.
- Communicate at an appropriate level with the staff and the audience of the organisation.
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Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills |
By the end of the project, students should have acquired a set of transferable skills, and in particular be able to:
- Develop and define a research project in a professional and academic context.
- Research and analyse a large volume of primary and secondary material.
- Produce a substantial and coherent piece of writing to a set deadline.
- Communicate at an appropriate level with professionals in the creative sector. |
Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
Course organiser | Prof Andrew Patrizio
Tel: (0131 6)51 1782
Email: |
Course secretary | Miss Chloe Hancock
Tel: (0131 6)50 4124
Email: |
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