UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL LANCASHIRE

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1 UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL LANCASHIRE Programme Specification This Programme Specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided. 1. Awarding Institution / Body University of Central Lancashire 2. Teaching Institution and Location of Delivery Futureworks 3. University School/Centre School of Art, Design and Performance 4. External Accreditation N/A 5. Title of Final Award BA (Hons) Digital Animation with Illustration 6. Modes of Attendance offered Full Time 7. UCAS Code N/A 8. Relevant Subject Benchmarking Group(s) Communication, media, film and cultural studies 9. Other external influences N/A 10. Date of production/revision of this form April Aims of the Programme To create the next generation of digital animators. To foster skills in each individual animator to equip them with the necessary depth of knowledge to address a range of professional animation problems. To produce animators with the skills to investigate, analyse and present visual information as well as interpret briefs related to animation to an industry standard. To develop and nurture an awareness of an animator s role and responsibilities within the media industry as an individual and as part of a team. To equip animators with the capability to focus on their personal and professional aspirations.

2 12. Learning Outcomes, Teaching, Learning and Assessment Methods A. Knowledge and Understanding A1. Use fundamental animation theory to inform their practical work. A2. Use historical and contemporary developments to interpret the practice and significance of the animation industry in society today. A3. Identify and select from a range of animation and illustrative techniques to inform their personal work-style. A4. Display a competence within a specialist area of digital animation and illustration. A5. Employ visual language in the creative process. Knowledge and understanding is traditionally gained largely through lecturer input. Whilst lecturer input will be important on this programme a significant proportion of knowledge and, particularly, understanding is gained through student-generated learning, research, directed and self-selected learning, structured tasks and assignments, and project work. Tutorials will facilitate exchange of knowledge, exploration of subject boundaries and provide a forum for building on the knowledge base and enhancement of understanding. Knowledge and understanding is assessed using a variety of methods. The principal methods of assessment for this skill area will be: Essays Presentations, individual and group Sketchbooks Dissertation Digital Animations Projects Project Plans Storyboards Scripts Portfolios Showreel Formative assessment supported by tutor feedback will be employed throughout the programme and will aid the development of knowledge and understanding. Feedback will be a crucial component of summative assessments. B. Subject-specific skills B1. Develop an idea from a conception through to a final outcome. B2. Generate and employ creative ideas to produce distinctive work. B3. Use a variety of contemporary techniques to produce professional animations. B4. Employ professional practices and procedures to produce and present work. For subject-specific skills the teaching and learning methods will focus on practical workshops, projects and self-learning, supported by teacher input and directed study. The challenge of developing creative skills will be addressed by cultivating a variety of creative techniques drawing on a critical appreciation of the visual and narrative heritage underpinning the animation world. Students will gain a working knowledge of creative possibilities, exploring their own creative potential

3 in a critical and supportive environment. Subject-specific skills will be primarily assessed through practical outputs, specifically: Sketchbooks Digital Animations Projects Project Plans Storyboards Scripts Formative assessment supported by tutor feedback will be employed throughout the programme and will aid the development of subject-specific skills. Feedback will be a crucial component of summative assessments. C. Thinking Skills C1. Research and interpret material and stimuli in order to synthesise informed ideas. C2. Critically analyse and evaluate a variety of complex information. C3. Formulate evidence-based arguments and engage in debate. C4. Identify and solve a range of multifaceted problems. C5. Synthesise and refine visual and verbal ideas and concepts as a part of the creative process. Students develop thinking skills through the challenge of undertaking set tasks and assignments supported by significant tutor input throughout the programme. For example, research techniques are taught in contextual-based modules and then developed through completing assignments and receiving feedback on the results. Students will be closely supported in the process of synthesising ideas and concepts and translating them into creative artefacts. Assignments which primarily assess knowledge, understanding and subject-specific skills implicitly contain a thinking skills component; thus, every assignment will assess thinking skills to varying degrees. Formative assessment of thinking skills, supported by tutor feedback, will be employed throughout the programme. Feedback on written and oral assignments will include comment on the employment of thinking skills. D. Other skills relevant to employability and personal development D1. Communicate complex ideas and arguments confidently and effectively using oral, visual and written methods. D2. Work successfully in teams and interact with others in a variety of professional contexts. D3. Implement time management techniques to plan and execute complex projects. D4. Perform critical self-analysis, identify skills gaps and plan personal development to maximise employment potential. As this is a vocationally focused course employability skills are central to the whole student experience. The challenge for the programme delivery team is to ensure that the employability benefits of the subject-specific skills are complemented by the parallel development of personal skills

4 such as communication and team working. This will be achieved through the design of tasks and assignments that demand skills beyond those that are technical and subject-based, and call for a broader personal skills set. Tutor input and feedback in a supportive context will help students to build on their positive traits and address gaps and weaknesses in their profile. The centrality of vocational skills throughout the programme results in all assessments being directly or indirectly related to employability and personal development. The assessment methods which are particularly significant are: Essays Personal Development Plans Reflective journals Presentations, individual and group Projects Digital Showreels Throughout the programme feedback on formative and summative assessments will help students develop their employability and personal development skills.

5 13. Programme Structures 14. Awards and Credits Level Module Code 6 AX34 AX3421 AX3410 AX3411 Module Title Honours Project Professional Animation and Illustration Motion Capture Personal Portfolio Development Credit rating Bachelor Honours Degree Requires 360 credits including a minimum of 1 at Level 5 or above and 1 at Level 6 Bachelor Degree Requires 3 credits including a minimum of 1 at Level 5 or above and 80 at Level 6 5 AX2410 AX24 AX2411 AX2412 AX2413 AX2430 Digital Animation Year 2 Animation Project 3D Modelling Professional Illustration for Animation Post-Production Contemporary Animation 4 AX1410 Fundamentals of 2D Animation AX14 Year 1 Animation Project AX1430 History of Animation AX1411 Creative Thinking AX1412 Pre-production 15. Personal Development Planning 40 Diploma of Higher Education Requires 240 credits including a minimum of 1 at Level 5 or above Certificate of Higher Education Requires 1 credits at Level 4 or above Introduced at induction, the purpose and process of PDP will be explained and students will be provided with a PDP template. At each level one module is identified as the primary vehicle for addressing PDP. Within the identified modules tutors will discuss the ongoing PDP process on a oneto-one basis, helping students to build on their strengths and identify and address gaps in their skill set. The level 6 module Personal Portfolio Development specifically requires students to research and use analytical techniques relating to personal development and employability and develops a high-level approach to Personal Development Planning. Throughout the learning process students will be encouraged to identify and evaluate their personal development activity. All practical assessments employ reflective journals which will assist students in this process. 16. Admissions criteria Applicants are required to hold: A minimum of 5 GCSE passes at Grade C or above including Maths and English (or equivalent) 240 to 300 UCAS points at A2 (or equivalent) Applicants must also: Submit a creative portfolio which will demonstrate their creativity and enable assessment of their potential to complete the programme successfully. Attend an interview to assess their commitment and motivation. 17. Key sources of information about the programme Course factsheet Student course handbook Futureworks prospectus Futureworks website

6 LEVEL 4 LEVEL 5 LEVEL 6 APPENDIX 21 - CDG 18. Curriculum Skills Map Please tick in the relevant boxes where individual Programme Learning Outcomes are being assessed Level Module Code Module Title Core (C), Compulsory (COMP) or Option (O) Programme Learning Outcomes Knowledge and understanding Subject-specific Skills Thinking Skills Other skills relevant to employability and personal development A1 A2 A3 A4 A5 B1 B2 B3 B4 C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 D1 D2 D3 D4 AX34 Honours Project COMP X X X X X X X X X X X X AX3421 Prof. Animation & Illustration COMP X X X X X X X X X X X X X AX3410 Motion Capture COMP X X X X X X X AX3411 Personal Portfolio Development COMP X X X X X X X AX2410 Digital Animation COMP X X X AX24 Year 2 Animation Project COMP X X X X X X X X X X X AX2411 3D Modelling COMP X X X AX2412 Prof. Illustration for Animation COMP X X X X X X AX2413 Post-production COMP X X X X X X AX2430 Contemporary Animation COMP X X X X X AX1410 Fundamentals of 2D Animation COMP X X X X X AX14 Year 1 Animation Project COMP X X X X X X X X X X AX1430 History of Animation COMP X X X X X X AX1411 Creative Thinking COMP X X X X AX1412 Pre-production COMP X X X X X X X Note: Mapping to other external frameworks, e.g. professional/statutory bodies, will be included within Student Course Handbooks x:\quality assurance\courses\degrees\bdai\validation documents\ba digital animation and illustration programme specification.doc