BATH SPA UNIVERSITY

Investigating CraftsThis unique course supportsthose wanting to write about,teach or curate Craft in both itscontemporary and historical contexts.The central aim of the course is toproduce graduates who are adept atplacing Craft activity (whether theirown or others) into a strong context,and articulate in communicating itsmeanings and messages to a largeraudience.Course structure and contentThe course is offered in both full and part-time modes. It is normallyone year, (3 trimesters) in duration in full-time mode or 6 trimesters in part-time mode. The first twotrimesters comprise taught sessionsand assessed projects, while theMaster’s Project in the final part ofthe course is by negotiated projectonly. Completion of the first 2modules on the course lead to the award of the PostgraduateCertificate, and completion of the first4 modules leads to the award of thePostgraduate Diploma. Subsequentcompletion of the MA double moduleleads to the award of MA InvestigatingCrafts.ModulesResearch MethodologiesPart one introduces genericresearch methodologies with parttwo considering subject specificmaterial, analysis and evaluationtechniques.The Historical and TheoreticalContext of Contemporary CraftThis module provides you with thehistorical understanding needed tocontextualise contemporary crafts.You will be introduced to key texts andto the history of ideas underpinningcraft during the modern (post 1660)period.Investigating Craft PracticeUsing the methodological tools and the historical understandingprovided by earlier modules, thismodule encourages you, workingcollaboratively with others to examine,analyse and report upon contemporarycraft practice in a discrete geographicarea. You will be supported to publishthis data as an article, book orwebsite that is aimed at a ‘popular’audience. The module will encourageyou to be as adventurous as possiblein your interpretation of this brief andin the range of the craft practice thatyou examine.Consuming Contemporary CraftThe consumption of craft is key tounderstanding its role in society.This aspect of craft has, howeverreceived far less attention than itspractice (making). The moduleaddresses issues including the role of the museum sector; approaches to selling including galleries andfairs; the role of crafts in the homeand the perception of craft activity in the media.Master’s ProjectYou will build on the knowledge andskill you have acquired to propose,negotiate and pursue a self-directedproject, supervised by your tutorsthrough to completion. The Master’sProject is capable of accommodatinga variety of approaches. Examplesinclude, but are not restricted to:- A written dissertation;- A curated exhibition relating tocontemporary or historical craftactivity;- Production of digital materialsrelating to contemporary orhistorical craft activity includingwebsites, DVD media etcTeaching methods and resources‘…critical debate is vital to ensure the continued renewal of the sector…there are high numbers of the publicinterested in Craft [but] perceptionsand media coverage tend toundervalue craft’ Crafts CouncilStrategy & Plans, 2008.This course delivers the history,theory and context of crafts activityin ways that help to contextualisecurrent craft practice. The centralpremise of the course is that craftpractitioners, together with thoseconcerned with their work need asolid grounding in these areas aswell as skills in writing, speaking,presentation and promotion inorder to survive in a competitivecommercial arena. The coursecontent investigates Craft in itswidest, modern definition. Craft isnow a politically loaded, globalisedterm that is as much discussed inrelation to the ‘new technologies’as it is in respect of single maker,hand production activity.The course utilises the rich heritageof Crafts activity to be found in theSouth West of the United Kingdomto offer you the opportunity to studyin a number of contexts. As well aslectures, seminars and tutorials at our Sion Hill campus you will beworking at the University’s CorshamCourt research centre, where youwill be part of a vibrant postgraduateresearch community. Study visits to practicing craftspeople are animportant part of the syllabus, andyou will use your new skills to workcollaboratively and supportivelyalongside them. The course offersyou the opportunity to studyinternationally via our partnershiparrangements, and for thosegeographically distant from Baththere is a distance learning routeavailable.55