The research paper is evaluated on various levels, but mainly on your ability to focus on a specific question in relationship to a field of art or cultural practice; to demonstrate a depth of reading in the relevant theory and writing; to formulate your own argument and to situate this discussion within the contemporary, postcolonial context. The paper also requires you to engage with the form of the work that you engage with – what is the materiality, medium, affect of the work.
Timetable
It must be noted that the paper is an independent research project and it is very important to take ownership of this aspect of the project, to do drafts and develop your research and argument, which requires time and consistent work over the year. This is not a project you can rush at the end. You will each have an individual supervisor who works with you on your prac, and the same kind of sustained engagement with your prac supervision must be maintained in your research paper.
Open Studios BA Hons in the field of Fine Art students occupy the space between both undergraduate and postgraduate studies – so while you will be doing the same practical and theoretical classes with the fourth-year students, some of you will already be mature industry professionals. As such, even though you will be engaged in the same crit and assessment sessions with Fine Arts IV students, we would also like to you to engage in the postgraduate open studios . Open studios are an opportunity each term for postgraduate students to present their ongoing creative ideas/work to their peers, supervisor(s), staffing body and other invited guests. Students book with the postgraduate coordinator (Sharlene Khan) in advance and each student is allocated up tp an hour to present work for engagement. Such sessions are crucial to artistic development and should be welcomed both in terms of getting and giving critical feedback.
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