Course Guide - Edith Cowan University

COURSE STRUCTURE
The Course Consists of two stages:
i) one year full-time (or part-time equivalent) taught units of
study
ii) one year full-time (or part-time equivalent) research project
Students who complete stage one but are unable to proceed with
stage two may be eligible to graduate with a Graduate Diploma of
Communications.
YEAR ONE
Semester 1
CMM5101 Thesis Preparation 1 20
CMM5103 Seminar Series 20
CMM5115 Literature Review 20
Semester 2
CMM5202 Thesis Preparation 2 20
Plus two units selected from the following:
CMM5111 Convergences 20
CMM5112 Media and Social Issues 20
CMM5113 Asian Cinema Studies 20
YEAR TWO
The thesis component of this program is entirely research based
and equivalent to 1 year of full time study. Each semester,
students nominate if they wish to enrol into thesis unit: CMM6200
at 50 or 100% of full-time enrolment.
CMM6200 Masters Research Project 0
MASTER OF CONTEMPORARY ARTS
Course Code V78
INTRODUCTION
The Master of Contemporary Arts is a three-semester programme
for professional artists run by the School of Contemporary Arts
within the Faculty of Communications and Creative Industries
at ECU. It provides contemporary arts studies at the highest
academic level through research, dissertation and exhibition. The
course will be undertaken externally by artists within their own
studios, with support from local supervisors and on-line delivery
of theoretical units.
It is based on the view that artistic endeavour comprises both
practice and theoretical investigations, and both are to be
understood as research. The course has been constructed to reflect
the intertwined character of theory and practice. The first semester
of the course is designed not just to consolidate the students’ preexisting
skills but to extend their skills base and theoretical
knowledge, enabling them to understand their work better within a
larger historical and social context. The second and third
semesters represent a sustained opportunity for the production of
new work (text and practice), and building on the discoveries
made while undertaking previous units.
The course is designed for individuals who define themselves
primarily as artists, and who either have established a credible
track record as practising artists or have shown a level of
achievement and dedication in prior study, which indicates a
strong potential for a career based around a contemporary arts
practice. It is therefore expected that the majority of a student's
time will be dedicated to the practical component of the
programme (Studio Units).
ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS
Applicants must apply directly to the University. Applicants will
be expected to be professional artists of high standing.
Candidates for the Master's degree are expected to present original
work which demonstrates a substantial development in relation to
the candidate's prior practice, combined with intellectual and
critical rigour of a high standard. Entry to this course will not
normally be available to students who have only recently
completed an undergraduate programme in this field. The
interviewing panel will normally comprise the Head of School,
post graduate course co-ordinator and at least one lecturer from
the Faculty relevant to the field. Qualified applicants will
subsequently be invited to submit a portfolio, a proposal of the
practical project to be carried out on the Master programme, and a
statement outlining their reasons for seeking admission.
ELIGIBILITY
Candidates are expected to:
* usually hold a first degree or equivalent in a relevant field from
a recognised institution;
* demonstrate professional status with recent practical experience
in the contemporary arts; and
* submit a written proposal of work to be undertaken during the
Master programme.
CRITERIA
Entry to the Master of Contemporary Arts programme will
normally be based on the following criteria:
* Quality of portfolio of practical work.
* Quality of undergraduate academic record (normally above
average or highly competent marks for the relevant studio units in
the undergraduate degree or its equivalent).
* Curriculum vitae and written and verbal statements regarding
the proposed project. Candidates whose professional practice is
considered by the interview panel to be equivalent to the above
criteria will also be considered for entry to the program. All
applicants will be asked to provide the names of two referees
(e.g., lecturers or other appropriate persons) who would be willing
to comment on their artistic and academic competence.
Availability of places will depend on the School's capacity to
accommodate the proposed practical studio work and to supervise
it.
COURSE LOCATION
This course is available on Mt Lawley Campus.
MODE OF STUDY
This course is available by Full-time, or Part-time mode.
MODE OF DELIVERY
This course is available in the following mode of delivery -
Campus-Based.
COURSE STRUCTURE
YEAR ONE
Semester 1
MCA5111 Studio 1 30
MCA5112 Contemporary Visual Art Criticism 30
Semester 2
MCA5213 Studio 2 30
MCA5214 Studio Analysis 30
YEAR TWO
Semester 1
MCA6102 Masters Project 30
MCA6211 Studio 3 30
ECU Postgraduate Course Guide 2007 141