Programme specification 2012/2013

School of Oriental and African Studies

The following information forms the programme specification at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London. It gives definitive information relating to a programme of study and is written for a public audience, particularly prospective and current students. It is also used for other purposes such as initial programme approval, and is therefore produced at the start of the programme development process. Once approved, it forms the base-line information for all statements relating to the programme and is updated as approved amendments are made.

CORE INFORMATION

Programme title / Contemporary Art and Art Theory of Asia and Africa
Final award / MA
Intermediate awards / None
Mode of attendance / f/t;p/t
UCAS code / N/A
Professional body accreditation / N/A
Date specification created/updated / 2012

WHY CHOOSE THIS PROGRAMME?

Why study at SOAS? / SOAS is unique as the only higher education institution in the UK specialising in the study of Africa, Asia and the Middle East. The School also has the largest concentration of specialist faculty concerned with the study of these areas at any university in the world. SOAS is consistently ranked among the top higher education institutions in the UK and the world and it also offers a friendly, vibrant environment for students in a diverse and close-knit community.
What is special about this programme? / This is the sole specialised MA programme is the Contemporary arts of Asia and Africa offered anywhere in the English-speaking world. We offer generous coverage of both continents in most media
Who would it suit? / Those who had a BA degree in some aspect of Asian or African Studies, or in Western art history. It would be suitable for those seeking employment in the international art market, or in museums, or who aspire to a Research degree.
Programme structure / Students must take three courses (or the equivalent including half courses) from the courses listed in the programme structure diagram below. The Dissertation is Contemporary Art and Art Theory of Asia and Africa.
There is no work experience as such, but we predict internship possibilities with art dealers etc in London.
Assessment summary / HAA has no exams at MA level, but an unseen ‘slide test’ (i.e. visual analysis of images presented under exam conditions) is held in class time.
For a half unit, the norm is for 1 essay of up to 5000 words which carries 75% of the marks, and the ‘slide test’ carries 25%, but where there a pedagogical reasons al a different balance, this is allowed, with the Course Outline clearly stating same

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

SOAS has general minimum entrance requirements for registration for a postgraduate taught degree and these can be viewed at

PROGRAMME AIMS

What will this programme give the student an opportunity to achieve?

  • To offer in-depth and research-based teaching on the contemporary art of Asia and Africa
  • To instruct in visual analysis and in modes of writing about visual material
  • To offer the opportunity to conduct individual research and writing in a chosen aspect of the Contemporary Art of Asia or Africa
  • To hone critical and writing skills

PROGRAMME LEARNING OUTCOMES

What will the student learn?

Knowledge
  • Broad knowledge of the Contemporary Art of Asia and African
  • Specialist knowledge of the art of at least two areas (via course selection)
  • Profound knowledge of one area, based on independent research and writing (via the Dissertation)
  • General knowledge via class discussion and access to Departmental seminars (non-compulsory)
Intellectual (thinking) skills
  • To analyse visual materials and learn a terminology to express opinions and assessments of them
  • To write critically about visual, and also historical materials relating to East Asia, with its various specificities and differences
  • To read critically in a wide range of sources, and to synthesise views
  • To discuss and debate in seminar contexts, and to present materials to peer groups
Subject-based practical skills
  • To communicate about the history of art and archaeology of non-Western cultures in cogent English
  • To learn to discuss visual materials and in analyse them
  • To read and critique the writing of prior researchers
  • To discuss and communicate, including the ability to use AV technology and make presentations
Transferable skills
  • To write clearly and lucidly
  • To understand and critique the mechanics of visual representation
  • No address non-Western cultures with knowledge and openness
  • To function effectively as a researcher and presenter of visual and other materials

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE AND REQUIREMENTS FOR GAINING AN AWARD

How will the student’s study be structured? How will they achieve an award?

Structure, duration and requirements for gaining an award

SOAS has standard requirements relating to the structure and duration of taught postgraduate programmes and for the award and classification of these programmes.

Details can be found at

Programme structure diagram

Below is a structure diagram for this programme.

PLEASE NOTE: ALL COURSES MA-LEVEL AND ARE TAKABLE IN ANY YEAR (ASSUMING PART TIME, BUT IF FULL TIME IT IS A ONE-YEAR COURSE ANYWAY). THERE IS NO CORE COURSE: ALL ARE OPTIONAL

Level / Year of study / Course code / Course title / Credit / Status / Notes
7 / One-year programme / - 15PARC008 / Directed Readings in History of Art and/or Archaeology / 1 / optional
7 / One-year programme / 15PARH037 / Directed Readings in History of Art and/or Archaeology / 0.5 / optional
7 / One-year programme / 15PARC004 / Approaches to Critical Interpretation and Aesthetic Theories / 1 / optional
7 / One-year programme / 15PARC017 / Art and Society in Africa / 1 / optional
7 / One-year programme / 15PARH047 / Japanese Ceramics Past and Present / 0.5 / optional
7 / One-year programme / 15PARH058 / Understanding Art East and West: from Asmat Shields to Tate Modern / 0.5 / optional
7 / One-year programme / 15PARH043 / Asia and African on Display: Objects, Exhibitions and Transculturalism / 0.5 / optional
7 / One-year programme / 15PARC036 / Photography and the Image in Africa, and Other Regional Perspectives / 1 / optional
7 / One-year programme / 15PARH039 / Representing Conflict: A Cross-cultural and Inter-Disciplinary Approach / 0.5 / optional
7 / One-year programme / 15PARH042 / Diaspora Contexts and Visual Culture / 0.5 / optional
7 / One-year programme / 15PARC018 / Art and the African Diaspora / 1 / optional
7 / One-year programme / 15PARC029 / Chinese Art History: Critical Writings / 1 / optional
7 / One-year programme / 15PARH055 / Arts of Modern and Contemporary China (since 1800) / 0.5 / optional
7 / One-year programme / Pending approval of FLTC / Contemporary Korean Art / 0.5 / optional
7 / One-year programme / 15PARC050 / Contemporary and Modern Arts of Southeast Asia / 0.5 / optional
7 / One-year programme / Dissertation in Contemporary Art and Art Theory of Asia & Africa / 1 / compulsory

The availability of optional/elective courses may vary in a given academic session due to factors such as staff absence and student numbers.For an up to date list of courses running in a given academic session please refer to the degree structures as listed on the SOAS website for the degree programmes taughtby each Department.

TEACHING, LEARNING AND ASSESSMENT

What methods will be used to achieve the learning outcomes?

Knowledge

  • Lectures and seminars which present and critique materials
  • Demonstration of visual materials via projection in class, and/or book
  • On-site discussion, using the Brunei Gallery or other appropriate venues
  • Class discussion and mutual instruction by students

Intellectual (thinking) skills

  • Reading and essay writing and feed-back on it
  • Listening to lectures and discussing their content
  • Discussion and debate in seminars

Subject-based practical skills

  • Reading pertinent work of art historians relating to the topic, and critiquing them
  • Ability to discuss and analyse visual materials, including those from non-Western cultures
  • Ability to explain and present in class discussions and seminars presentations
  • Ability to write critical and cogent essays of set topics

Transferable skills

  • Critical discussion and analysis of visual materials
  • Sophisticated and knowledge-driven awareness of non-Western cultures
  • Essay writing
  • Non-restricted presentation (oral and written) of visual materials

REFERENCE POINTS

What has been the basis for the design of this programme?

  • School Mission and School learning and teaching strategy
  • Staff research;
  • Market need, as understood by wide discussion with internal and external parties
  • QAA Framework for higher education qualification

QUALITY ASSURANCE AND ENHANCEMENT

SOAS has internal procedures to assure the quality of provision to be offered to students and to enhance the quality in the light of experience following delivery, taking into account the input of external experts and students. The procedures are set out in the School’s Quality Assurance Handbook and can be viewed at

SOAS is also subject to periodic external review from bodies such as the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education and relevant professional and statutory regulatory bodies.

The procedures described in the Quality Assurance Handbook are in place to provide a high quality student experience for those choosing to study at SOAS, and student input and evaluation of their experiences is greatly valued. Students make an input to the ongoing development of their programmes, and the environment in which they operate, in a number of ways, including:

  • formal student evaluation as part of the annual programme review;
  • student representation on School committees at various levels (through the Students’ Union) where many relevant issues are discussed;
  • Use of external examiners, in conformity with SOAS practice.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Add in links to other relevant information, both internal and external, including:

  • SOAS Vision and Strategy Statement;
  • Undergraduate and Postgraduate Handbooks;
  • Quality Assurance Handbook;
  • UCAS website;
  • QAA website;

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