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MODULE DESCRIPTOR
Module Title
Towards Professional Practice
Reference	AA4703	Version	2
Created	June 2017	SCQF Level	SCQF 10
Approved	August 2012	SCQF Points	90
Amended	August 2017	ECTS Points	45

Aims of Module
To provide the students with the ability to undertake disciplined, individual and self-motivated research and idea development. To support students to engage with their studio practice at a substantially deeper level than has previously been the case enabling them to become more informed in the critical and contextual debates pertaining to the discipline. To provide the student with the ability to demonstrate artistic independence and professionalism to the extent that the student can practice as a visual artist within a professional context outwith an educational environment.

Learning Outcomes for Module
On completion of this module, students are expected to be able to:
1	Select and apply appropriate methodologies of research in order to develop and execute a coherent body of resolved work, with supporting material, for assessment and exhibition.
2	Produce a substantial body of work carried out over an extended period of self-directed study. Work that demonstrates originality, intellectual rigour and innovative use of materials, processes and technologies.
3	Demonstrate an increased critical awareness of relevant debates in contemporary visual art practice pertaining to Painting and Drawing.
4	Demonstrate a high level of professional practice through written articulation and exhibition.

Indicative Module Content
The module in the Honours year is based on student-centred and experiential learning, and demands that students wholly establish their own aesthetic agenda. This is intimated at the beginning of the session by a written statement of intent. The statement should include a personal evaluation of achievements to date and define their chosen concerns and potential future directions. Students are supported and encouraged to structure the content of this module in relation to their own research and practice. Over the course of the two semesters there will be a number of timetabled tutorials where students can discuss and present research findings and "work in progress". While the emphasis in this module is on self-direction and independence, support that fosters and facilitates a creative, innovative and interactive research environment will be provided. Support in the skills and techniques specific to each student's personal work will be provided as appropriate. The course culminates with the Degree Show at the end of the second semester.

Indicative Module Content

The module in the Honours year is based on student-centred and experiential learning, and demands that students wholly establish their own aesthetic agenda. This is intimated at the beginning of the session by a written statement of intent. The statement should include a personal evaluation of achievements to date and define their chosen concerns and potential future directions. Students are supported and encouraged to structure the content of this module in relation to their own research and practice. Over the course of the two semesters there will be a number of timetabled tutorials where students can discuss and present research findings and "work in progress". While the emphasis in this module is on self-direction and independence, support that fosters and facilitates a creative, innovative and interactive research environment will be provided. Support in the skills and techniques specific to each student's personal work will be provided as appropriate. The course culminates with the Degree Show at the end of the second semester.

Module Delivery
Each student is allocated an individual workspace and assigned a personal academic tutor at the beginning of Stage 4. Students can also have access to specialist staff from other subject areas, if appropriate. Teaching is primarily delivered through one-to-one tutorials that are responsive to the student's own agenda and personal requirements. Student's progress is further supported by two progress reviews, one in each semester, where constructive feedback, both verbal and written, will be given. The module is predominantly studio and workshop based although, if appropriate, work may obviously be undertaken and assessed externally. An Interim group exhibition at an external venue will take place at some point in the session. This will be organised collectively by the cohort, and involve them, through delegation, in the practical considerations of mounting an exhibition: raising funds, sponsorship, marketing, transportation, curation, and hanging. Places on a study tour to a major world art centre will be available to Stage 4 students. In recent years students have visited New York, Paris, London, Berlin and Venice. These trips provide direct experience of significant works of art, galleries and museums while fostering an awareness of the wider context within which the students are working. Where appropriate students may also undertake placements and work externally.

Module Delivery

Each student is allocated an individual workspace and assigned a personal academic tutor at the beginning of Stage 4. Students can also have access to specialist staff from other subject areas, if appropriate. Teaching is primarily delivered through one-to-one tutorials that are responsive to the student's own agenda and personal requirements. Student's progress is further supported by two progress reviews, one in each semester, where constructive feedback, both verbal and written, will be given. The module is predominantly studio and workshop based although, if appropriate, work may obviously be undertaken and assessed externally. An Interim group exhibition at an external venue will take place at some point in the session. This will be organised collectively by the cohort, and involve them, through delegation, in the practical considerations of mounting an exhibition: raising funds, sponsorship, marketing, transportation, curation, and hanging. Places on a study tour to a major world art centre will be available to Stage 4 students. In recent years students have visited New York, Paris, London, Berlin and Venice. These trips provide direct experience of significant works of art, galleries and museums while fostering an awareness of the wider context within which the students are working. Where appropriate students may also undertake placements and work externally.

Indicative Student Workload	Full Time	Part Time
Contact Hours	560	N/A
Non-Contact Hours	340	N/A
Placement/Work-Based Learning Experience [Notional] Hours	N/A	N/A
TOTAL	900	N/A
Actual Placement hours for professional, statutory or regulatory body

ASSESSMENT PLAN
If a major/minor model is used and box is ticked, % weightings below are indicative only.
Component 1
Type:	Coursework	Weighting:	100%	Outcomes Assessed:	1, 2, 3, 4
Description:	Presentation of resolved artwork/s in a professional exhibition space and supporting folio of all research and development work produced within the module (including sketchbooks, drawings, preparatory studies, documentation and any other material deemed appropriate). A record of engagement and participation contributes to the overall grade.

MODULE PERFORMANCE DESCRIPTOR
Explanatory Text
In order to pass the module you need to achieve a D or above.
Module Grade	Minimum Requirements to achieve Module Grade:
A	An A in C1
B	A B in C1
C	A C in C1
D	A C in C1
E	An E in C1
F	An E in C1
NS	Non-submission of work by published deadline or non-attendance for examination

Module Requirements
Prerequisites for Module	None.
Corequisites for module	None.
Precluded Modules	None.

INDICATIVE BIBLIOGRAPHY
1	There is no standard Bibliography for this module. Students will indentify (and be guided towards), a range of texts relevant to their emerging studio practice. These will typically include textbooks, journals and online resources written by artists, critics, historians, curators, theorists and philosophers.

Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen

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