Degree project Master's programme in Fine Arts, 30 Credits

Contents

During the course, the final examination work is produced, presented and evaluated. The students present their degree work at the end of the term in the form of a public exhibition.

Expected learning outcomes

After completing the course the student should be able to:

• show substantial in-depth knowledge and understanding, both practical and theoretical, in the field of Fine Arts as well as in-depth insight into current artistic research and development work through a developed personal expression creating and realizing own artistic ideas
   
• show familiarity with method and processes for managing complex artistic problems both practical and theoretical in the field of Fine Arts
   
• demonstrate the ability to independently and creatively formulate new questions and be able to contribute to the development of knowledge in the field of Fine Arts and in the main field to make judgments with regard to relevant artistic, social and ethical aspects.
   
• reflect critically on one's own and others' artistic approaches
   
• show knowledge of the role of art in society and identify one's need for further knowledge and be responsible for one's own knowledge development, and
   
• demonstrate skills and knowledge both practical and theoretical that are required to  working life and demonstrate the ability to clearly and verbally, in writing or in other ways, orally, in writing or otherwise, present and discuss one'sactivities.

Required Knowledge

Participation in the course assumes that the student is admitted to the Master's programme in Fine arts at the Academy of Fine Arts, Umeå University, and has obtained the grade Pass in all courses offered in the first and second term of the programme and in at least 25,5 credits of the courses offered in the third term of the programme.

Form of instruction

The course consists of individual artistic work with the help of supervision, individually and in groups. The teaching also consists of seminars, lectures, field studies and the completion of practical assignments. During the course, the student is entitled to at least two individual supervision opportunities and is given the opportunity to present and discuss his or her own artistic work in seminars. The student is expected to participate actively in the seminars held by other students as they present their artistic work. The student works on the completion of the final degree exhibition both individually and in groups.

The degree project is started and planned in the course "Individual artistic work, C". The project plan then formulated forms the basis for the further work during the degree course. The project plan that the student has worked on contains a starting point and direction, as well as a choice of artistic approach so that the execution of the degree project can be done within given time frames. During the first part of the course, the student presents his or her plan for the examination work, orally and / or in writing and a timeline for the term's work is prepared.

During the course, the students also develop a plan for the joint work on the degree exhibition and divide the roles and tasks required to complete the exhibition together. The students will, together with the support of supervision, plan and produce an exhibition publication that must be completed in connection with the degree exhibition and produced on the basis of given financial frameworks.

In connection with the final exhibition, the student must document his / her own examination work in the form of photos, video, sound recordings or in another form that fits the artistic work. The student will present his or her artistic work in a final seminar where the work together with one's oral presentation forms the basis for the assessment. The student should also oppose a fellow student's artistic work during the examination and complete a reflective text that is based on the student's artistic work.

The gender perspective is an important part of education and the course is conducted in such a way that both women and men's experiences, knowledge, history and the importance of these are made visible and put into perspective both theoretically and practically. The course is also conducted in such a way that sustainability is an aspect of artistic practice and is noticed both theoretically and practically.

The student can receive financial support for his / her examination work by applying for funding at the beginning of the course via a special application template.

Language of instruction is English.

Special written material may be distributed during the course. To be announced at the start of the course.

Examination modes

The student's artistic work is examined continuously during the course, both in groups and individually.

The final seminar together with the degree exhibition, the text and the work on an exhibition publication constitute a special assessment basis.

Written or oral exams may occur. The choice of another or further examination form is presented at the start of the course.

The evaluation of the degree project takes place at the end of the course in connection with the final degree exhibition where the students' artistic work is presented in the form of a group exhibition. Assessment is based on the following:

• The student's artistic work
• The student's participation and work in completing the group exhibition and exhibition catalog
• Documentation of the exhibition and the student's artistic work in the appropriate format
• A reflective text that is based on the student's artistic work
• An oral presentation of the artistic work within the framework of the group exhibition where the presentation is open to the public
• An oral presentation of the exhibited artistic work during the closing seminar in connection with the group exhibition
• The student's oral defense of his or her own work during the final seminar, as well as
• Opposing a fellow student's examination work during the final seminar.

The assessment is based on the student's artistic work and the student's ability to reach the course objectives for the master's degree. The oral and written presentations should include a conscious reflection that is based on the student's own artistic work and may include choice of method for the practical work, relevant national and international references within and outside the art field and other relevant knowledge that is important for the understanding of the artistic work. The student's participation and work in the production of the publication and the joint work around and with the degree exhibition are also taken into account in the assessment.

Deviations from the syllabus may be made for a student who has decided on educational support due to a disability. Individual adaptation of the examination form must be considered based on the student's needs. The form of examination is adapted within the framework of the syllabus's expected study results. At the request of the student the course responsible teacher, in consultation with the examiner, should quickly decide on an adapted examination form. The decision must then be notified to the student.

In the course the grade Pass or Fail is given. For students who have not passed an ordinary test opportunity, an additional test opportunity is arranged, if necessary, within three months and an entrance examination within one year. A student who has passed regular exams without an approved result and a re-test for a course or part of a course, is entitled to have another examiner appointed at the next re-examination, unless special reasons contradict it. The request for this is made to the Director of Education at the Office of the Humanities. Students have the right to be tested on the same syllabus as in regular exams on at least two occasions up to two years after the first registration.

The student can apply for a transfer of credits for all or part of the course based on previous completed education or professional activities. Credit assessments are tested individually in accordance with Umeå University's credit accounting scheme. For more information, see https://www.umu.se/en/student/my-studies/transfer-of-credits/