Module Information
Module Identifier
AHM1000
Module Title
Artworld: Contemporary Practice in Context (for Students of Fine Art)
Academic Year
2025/2026
Co-ordinator
Semester
Semester 1 (Taught over 2 semesters)
Exclusive (Any Acad Year)
Other Staff
Course Delivery
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | Research Essay on one of the seminar topics Essay and appendix 4000 Words | 80% |
| Semester Assessment | Seminar presentation with bibliography which situates the practice of a contemporary artist within contemporary debates and key theoretical contexts 20 Minutes | 20% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Seminar presentation with bibliography which situates the practice of a contemporary artist within contemporary debates and key theoretical contexts 20 Minutes | 20% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Research Essay on one of the seminar topics Essay and Appendix 4000 Words | 80% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
Situate the production, curation, distribution and reception of contemporary art, including their own practice, in a cultural, political, and socio-economic context
Identify, define and debate key concepts of contemporary art discourse.
Access, review and document a broad range of subject-specific literature in print and online.
Write a critical essay informed by research and rooted in theory.
Brief description
Delivered as a series of group tutorials and seminars, this module offers a discussion and study forum on contemporary art practice for MA Fine Art students.
Semester 1 provides a series of group tutorials that prepare students for the weekly Artworld seminars in semester 2. The group tutorials in semester 1 serve as general introductions to contemporary art practice and today’s artworld; they provide key terminology for discussion and introduce students to the essentials of postgraduate research and writing.
In semester 2, students research the practice of established or emerging artists in relation to weekly topics and themes. The themed seminars situate the production, curation and distribution of contemporary art in cultural, political, and socio-economic contexts.Assessing a variety of recommended readings (e.g. artist statements, exhibition catalogues, reviews, theoretical/philosophical journal articles and art history essays) and conducting independent research, seminar members gather primary and secondary sources to explore the contexts of contemporary artists. The research is shared with fellow students during seminars and subsequently via Blackboard, providing all seminar members with an overview and assessment of specific aspects of contemporary art, as well as with a foundation for debates on current developments in the artworld. The research also serves as a basis for the final essay.
The seminar discussions are designed to prepare MA Fine Art students to re-examine their own art practice to develop artist statements informed by theory demonstrating the relevance of their work in contemporary contexts.
Semester 1 provides a series of group tutorials that prepare students for the weekly Artworld seminars in semester 2. The group tutorials in semester 1 serve as general introductions to contemporary art practice and today’s artworld; they provide key terminology for discussion and introduce students to the essentials of postgraduate research and writing.
In semester 2, students research the practice of established or emerging artists in relation to weekly topics and themes. The themed seminars situate the production, curation and distribution of contemporary art in cultural, political, and socio-economic contexts.Assessing a variety of recommended readings (e.g. artist statements, exhibition catalogues, reviews, theoretical/philosophical journal articles and art history essays) and conducting independent research, seminar members gather primary and secondary sources to explore the contexts of contemporary artists. The research is shared with fellow students during seminars and subsequently via Blackboard, providing all seminar members with an overview and assessment of specific aspects of contemporary art, as well as with a foundation for debates on current developments in the artworld. The research also serves as a basis for the final essay.
The seminar discussions are designed to prepare MA Fine Art students to re-examine their own art practice to develop artist statements informed by theory demonstrating the relevance of their work in contemporary contexts.
Content
This module will include, seminars group tutorials and lectures
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Communication | Articulating ideas through seminar discussions, annotated bibliography and research essay. |
| Improving own Learning and Performance | Independent study through seminar assignments, research and preparation for seminar presentation. |
| Information Technology | Information retrieval from various academic research portals and online museum collection databases. |
| Personal Development and Career planning | Demonstration of professionalism in research and MLA style documentation. Reassessment of artist statements in light of seminar discussions. |
| Problem solving | In seminar preparation and discussions, essay research and writing. |
| Research skills | In seminar preparation, bibliography and essay research and writing. |
| Subject Specific Skills | Interpretation of contemporary visual culture and theory in art historical contexts. |
| Team work | Collaborating on gathering of sources, sharing of annotated bibliographies in seminar discussions. |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 7