Research in Contemporary Issues

Learning Outcomes

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• communicate in writing and utilise supporting visual material effectively
• locate, utilise and evaluate an appropriate range of credible sources.
• plan your time effectively and work to deadlines.

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• the broad social, environmental and ethical dimensions of contemporary issues with graphic arts.
• key critical and contextual ideas and their impact on the development of graphic arts
• connections between theory and practice within graphic arts

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• start to inform your practice through reflection of your research on relevant critical and contextual concepts.
• apply critical enquiry and reflection to evaluate the work of others

Indicative content for this module normally includes:

Lectures and discussions will examine the individual ideas and themes that are contributing to the development of the contemporary graphic arts.

You will be encouraged to contextualise these ideas through the discussion of key social, political and cultural developments before extending your research using the learning resources provided by the University.

Seminars that will provide guidance in the preparation and planning for writing in response to themes introduced in the lectures.

Peer feedback and discussion that will then support the creation of an academic essay according to the University academic writing guidelines

Teaching and learning methods

Teaching methods include

• Lectures
• Seminars
• Supporting material distributed via online learning environments such as Blackboard and Panopto.
• Online tutorials via Lynda.com

Learning activities include:

• Peer group discussion
• Review and revision of material provided within lectures & seminars.
• Guided independent research
• Academic writing.
• Study skills hub

Relationship between the teaching, learning and assessment methods and the planned learning outcomes

This module will be directed by lectures which will support the development of the intellectual and skills framework necessary to enable you to apply critical, evaluative, reflection in the contextualisation of your ideas. Seminars and tutorials will enable you to analyse material provided and extend your knowledge and understanding via independent research. Tutorials will help you plan your time and work effectively to deadlines. Intellectual and research skills will be supported and enhanced using guidance and material distributed via virtual learning environments such as Blackboard, Panopto and Lynda.com. The production of an academic essay will develop your ability to communicate in writing in accordance with University conventions.

Resources & Reading list

General Resources

Blackboard. www.blackboard.soton.ac.uk

panopto. via blackboard.

Internet Resources

Fast Company.

Core 77.

Bob National.

Open Source.

Webmaker.

Design Observer.

Eye Magazine.

Revolution.

Vimeo.

GNU.

Creative Commons.

Harry Jenkins.

Textbooks

Poynor, R. (2007). Obey the Giant: Life in Image World.. Berlin.: Birkhäuser GmbH..

Reas, C. (2001). Form+Code in Design, Art, and Architecture.. New York: Princeton Architectural Press..

Shaughnessy, A., (2013). Essays: Scratching the Surface. London: Unit Editions.

Lessig, L. (2008). Remix. Penguin.

Jenkins H (2008). Convergence Culture: Where Old and New Media Collide.. New York: New York University Press..

Mason, M (2009). The Pirate’s Dilemma. Simon and Schuster.

McCandless, D. (2013). Information Is Beautiful. London: Harper Collins..

Rushkoff, D (2009). Program or be Programmed: Ten Commands for a Digital Age.. Berkeley: Soft Skull Press..

Shirky, C. (2009). Here Comes Everybody. Penguin UK..

Tapscott, D. and Williams, A. D. (2008). Wikinomics. Penguin..

Lessig, L (2004). Free Culture. Penguin..

McCarthy, S. (2013). The Designer as...: Author, Producer, Activist, Entrepreneur, Curator and Collaborator: New Models for Communicating.. Amsterdam: BIS Publishers.

Armstrong, H. and Stojmirovic, Z., (2007). Participate: Designing withUser-Generated Content.. New York:: Princeton Architectural Press..

Stallman, R. M (2009). Free Software Free Society: Selected Essays of Richard M..

Formative

This is how we’ll give you feedback as you are learning. It is not a formal test or exam.

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Repeat

An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External