MA in Arts and Learning

What you'll study Overview The programme places a strong emphasis on student-centred and directed learning, where teaching sessions and personal tutorials draw on the critical reflection and development of your artist teacher practices: including artistic, theoretical, political and learning and teaching concerns. The modules of the programme are all underpinned with theories of contemporary art, learning and critical and dialectical pedagogical theories and philosophies. You'll attend all lectures, seminars, workshops and tutorials where you'll engage in questioning the political, ideas, practices, theory and philosophy related to the specific topics of: contemporary art practice, teaching and learning, identity and place/space construction, dialectical pedagogical theories and practice, social-engagement, and research led practices where you'll be encouraged and expected to critically discuss and debate the issues raised. But this is just a small proportion of what we expect you to do on the degree. Independent learning/research (practice with theory) is expected throughout the MAAL, this typically involves critical reflection and development of your practices as artist teacher including: additional readings, preparing topics for discussion/presentations, working with fellow students, producing essays, artist teacher statements, research, planning, organising and producing practice-based work and/or projects, curating exhibitions and presentations, both individually and collaboratively. This emphasis on independent learning is very important at Goldsmiths. We don't just want you to accept what we tell you without question. We want you to be deeply engaged with theory and practice to develop and sustain your own ideas and practices as artist teachers. Structure To enable greater flexibility for you and a more equitable experience for full-time and part-time students, the MAAL programme has a modular structure, with the majority of teaching sessions usually conducted in the evenings. This also enables part-time and full-time students to attend the same evening teaching sessions and therefore form a collaborative and supportive learning environment. For you to obtain the postgraduate degree of MAAL you will need to complete 180 CATS at Masters level. The MAAL comprises five core modules (150 CATS) and one option module (30 CATS). Core modules Module title Credits. Revisiting Practice (RVP) Revisiting Practice (RVP) 30 credits This is the first of a sequence (CP and IS) of praxis-based (practice with theory, theory with practice) modules that require you to reassess, articulate and develop your practices. This module builds upon your prior learning, from former degrees, professional and personal practice. The aim of this module is for you to reinvigorate and position your interwoven artistic and pedagogic practices through a critical engagement with contemporary art and theory.. 30 credits. Spaces of Practice (in association with the Whitechapel, Showroom Galleries and the South London Gallery) Spaces of Practice (in association with the Whitechapel, Showroom Galleries and the South London Gallery) 30 credits This module explores contemporary art curation and practice from the perspective of cultural theory. The module will involve classes at The Whitechapel Gallery, The Showroom, The South London Gallery and Goldsmiths, and provides an in-depth understanding of cultural theories of institutional pedagogy and public culture as a way of contextualizing the work undertaken by the galleries. Throughout the module, art works and institutional practices will be encountered and considered in terms of the following questions: What is being produced through artist’s practices and galleries’ remits? What kinds of relationality does an artists’ practice create? What relationship does an artists’ work have with the production of objects? What is the public sphere created by a gallery? Does this public sphere engage publics with a political issue? The interrogation of art works and institutions will be informed by reference to contemporary theory in critical and cultural studies that engages with the production of meaning and subjectivity. Module members will be introduced to a selection of theoretical frameworks including schizoanalysis, institutional pedagogy, publics, counter publics and little publics, in order to extend their ability to read and interpret art practices. 30 credits. Critical Pedagogy and Contested Spaces (CP) (In association with Tate Modern) Critical Pedagogy and Contested Spaces (CP) (In association with Tate Modern) 30 credits This module, in partnership with Tate Modern, continues to support and develop your praxis through engaging with the theories and concepts of Critical Pedagogy. You will explore the potential of the artist teacher to operate at a level beyond orthodoxy - toward a critical pedagogy. Contemporary art practices will be placed within a socio- political framework to illustrate the position of artist educators within this current and critical pedagogical agenda. You will explore the concepts and practices of a number of key critical pedagogues including Paulo Freire, Ira Shor, Antonio Darder and Henry Giroux as well as the theories and philosophies of John Dewey, Jean Piaget and Karl Marx. 30 credits. Independent Studies (IS) Independent Studies (IS) 60 credits Through this module you will continue to develop and consolidate your praxis and position as artist teacher. Individually and collaboratively you will continue to explore your interwoven practices underpinned by theoretical frameworks. This process will be enabled through planning and executing a structured programme of independent research that draws upon pedagogy and contemporary art and theory, critically applying themes and issues you have developed through the MAAT programme. 60 credits. Option modules You choose one of the following options: Location and Intersubjectivity in Art and Therapy. One non-core module from the MA in Education, Culture, Language and Identity programme. An MA option module offered in another department. Full-time and part-time study options The MAAL can be completed in 1 year (full-time) or between 2-5 years (part-time). Routes below: 1 year. Autumn RVP, IS OR RVP, Elective, IS. Spring SP, CP, IS CP, SP, IS. Summer Elective, IS IS. 2 years. Year 1 RVP, SP, CP OR RVP, SP, CP, Elective. Year 2 Elective, IS. 3 years. Year 1 RVP, SP OR RVP, Elective. Year 2 Elective, CP SP, CP. Year 3 IS IS. Key. RP Revisiting Practice. SP Spaces of Practice. CP Critical Pedagogy and Contested Spaces. IS Independent Studies. Practitioners who already have existing M-level credits may apply to have these transferred to the MAAL. You may also take advantage of two exit points: Postgraduate Certificate in Arts and Learning (60 Credits). Postgraduate Diploma in Arts and Learning (120 Credits). Assessment The MA Arts and Learning utilises a number of complementary assessment strategies. These have been devised to appropriately assess the range of learning outcomes and are underpinned by the ethos of the programme these include, exhibition/presentation/performance, essay, viva voce. Download the programme specification for the 2018-19 intake. If you would like an earlier version of the programme specification, please contact the Quality Office. Please note that due to staff research commitments not all of these modules may be available every year.