Credit Points: 22.5
Study Time: 225 Hours

Continuing from Defining Practice 2, this unit further develops your ability to study independently. Building on existing interests, you refine and further define your own individual artistic concerns. The unit introduction emphasises this progression. It describes how self-directed study is negotiated between you and your tutor and introduces the form this takes – the Learning Agreement.

The writing of Learning Agreements is an important professional skill to acquire since they are a type of proposal, and proposal writing is a key component of professional practice. As practicing artists you will have to write proposals regularly in applications for grants, awards, residencies and exhibitions. Guidance on writing Learning Agreements and support in defining and shaping projects is subsequently given to you through seminars and tutorials. There are no restrictions, beyond practical limitations, concerning media.

Outline Syllabus

• Nature of Negotiated Practice 
• Writing of Learning Agreements 
• Support for personally defined projects 
• Research to support developing interests 
• Application of theory to practice

Method of Delivery
Lectures, seminars, individual tutorials, student presentations, group critiques, independent study and practice.

Aims

A1 To support you in exploring distinct creative concerns and acquiring greater independence and self-direction in learning, by providing an opportunity for you to initiate and negotiate a project.
A2 To further develop those critical and evaluative skills that are dependant upon contextual awareness.

Learning Outcomes
On completion of this unit you will be able to:

LO1 Initiate and negotiate a project.
LO2 Produce work which explores your own interests as a creative practitioner.
LO3 Provide evidence of greater independence as a self-directed learner.
LO4 Use self-evaluative and self-critical skills to gain a greater understanding of your current practice and make judgements about future directions.
LO5 Demonstrate knowledge of contemporary practice and give examples of how work is interpreted through theory.

Reference Material

This will vary according to the needs of individual students. Unit tutors will provide students with details regarding key and recommended reference material.