Learning outcomes v1.0

OK. On the off-chance that someone is still reading this infrequently updated blog, here is the end point of the quest to re-write the BA Hons Graphic Arts & Design course at Leeds Met. This is the juicy bit from the 200 pages of documentation that we have written over the last few months:

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Background and philosophy

In accordance with the aims of the course, the curriculum strategy provides, through an integrated approach to theory and practice, opportunities for multidisciplinary and specialist activity. Through the study and practice of graphic arts and design, students develop a comprehensive understanding of the wider social, cultural, historical, professional, critical and technical contexts of their work.

The curriculum strategy emphasises the opportunity for students to identify, negotiate and undertake their own particular approach to study within the range of activities, practices and associated techniques and processes which define graphic arts and design.

Central to the curriculum strategy is the Learning Agreement. The Learning Agreement provides a mechanism for students to negotiate and implement their own particular approach to study, and enables them to demonstrate the process and outcomes of critical reflection and theoretical contextualisation, as appropriate to their own work.

The overarching course aims are:

• To provide the opportunity for study to students who wish to acquire and develop the necessary technical and practical skills; knowledge and understanding; attributes, attitudes and approaches; and intellectual and creative abilities to perform successfully as creative professionals in the field of graphic arts and design.

• To provide a pertinent and current curriculum that is appropriate and responsive to the needs and aspirations of all students.

• To enable students to work with visual imagery which is integrated with critical theoretical study and to locate their study and practice within the wider social, cultural, historical, professional, critical and technical contexts of graphic arts and design.

• To encourage and develop a reflective and self-critical approach which enables the student to make and use critical and contextual judgements of their work and that of others.

• To provide a curricular approach and learning strategy which is appropriate and relevant to the needs of a diverse and multidisciplinary constituency.


Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes – Level Four

On successful completion of Level Four, the student is able to demonstrate:

1. An initial understanding of the course and its operation.
2. An initial understanding of the technical support facilities and learning technologies available and an initial competence in their use.
3. An understanding of health and safety regulations.
4. An awareness of student support services and how to access them.
5. An initial ability in working to briefs and the meeting of deadlines.
6. An initial capability for personal and collaborative organisation within the studio context.
7. An initial ability in the use of techniques, processes and materials.
8. A developing awareness of the resources available for the research and analysis of other artists and designers, as well as the student’s own work.
9. A developing awareness and understanding of the approaches within the graphic arts and design as they are appropriate to their particular needs and interests.
10. A developing ability for researching and developing solutions.
11. An initial ability to begin to locate aspects of their own work within social, cultural, historical, professional, critical and technical contexts.
12. An initial ability to initiate, negotiate and develop a body of work according to their particular needs and interests within the field of graphic arts and design
13. An initial capacity for self-critical reflection.

Learning Outcomes – Level Five

On successful completion of Level Five, the student is able to demonstrate:

1. A developing ability to contextualise studio practice through an integration of theoretical and practical study.
2. A developing awareness of the resources available for the research and analysis of theoretical concepts as they are related to studio practice within graphic arts and design.
3. A developed understanding of the range of processes that constitute graphic arts and design.
4. A developed capability in the use of individually appropriate processes, techniques and materials.
5. A developing capacity to embrace ambiguity, uncertainty and unfamiliarity in relation to their individual creative practice.
6. A developed ability to identify, initiate, develop, negotiate and present an individually appropriate body of work.
7. A developed ability to articulate their ideas, intentions and outcomes within appropriate academic and professional contexts.
8. A developed ability to locate and situate their practice within appropriate social, cultural, historical, professional, critical and technical contexts through the Learning Agreement.
9. A developed ability to research, analyse and contextualise their practice through the Learning Agreement.
10. A developed capacity for self-critical reflection.

Learning Outcomes – Level Six

On successful completion of Level Six, the student is able to demonstrate:

1. A comprehensive ability to negotiate, develop, consolidate and present a coherent, individually appropriate and critically informed body of work.
2. A comprehensive ability to articulate their ideas, intentions and outcomes within appropriate academic and professional contexts.
3. A comprehensive ability to integrate practical, theoretical and critical skills in the production and presentation of a consolidated body of work, that is representative of an established, sustainable and individually appropriate creative practice.
4. A comprehensive ability to locate and situate their practice within appropriate social, cultural, historical, professional, critical and technical contexts through the Extended Learning Agreement.
5. A comprehensive ability to research, analyse and contextualise their practice through the Extended Learning Agreement.
6. A comprehensive capacity for self-critical reflection.

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So, the learning outcomes have evolved somewhat from my last post. They are essentially a refined version of the ones we had, with the QAA benchmarks used as a reference point, rather than the obvious basis. If it ain't broke, don't try to fix it. We have a very successful course, and our new document now reflects what we actually do. Let's hope the reviewers agree on Friday.

Once all of this is sorted, I'm getting back into the techno-experiments.