MA Design for Digital Media Programme Specification EDM-DJ-08/2015 Primary Purpose: Course management, monitoring and quality assurance. Secondary Purpose: Detailed information for students, staff and employers. Current students should refer to the related Course Handbook for further detail. Disclaimer: The University of Portsmouth has checked the information given in this Programme Specification and believes it to be correct. We will endeavour to deliver the course in keeping with this Programme Specification but reserve the right to change the content, timetabling and administration of the course whilst maintaining equivalent academic standards and quality. Copyright The contents of this document are the copyright of the University of Portsmouth and all rights are reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior consent of the University of Portsmouth.
Contents Programme Specification 1. Named Awards... 1 2. Course Code (and UCAS Code if applicable)... 1 3. Awarding Body... 1 4. Teaching Institution... 1 5. Accrediting Body... 1 6. QAA Benchmark Groups... 1 7. Document Control Information... 1 8. Effective Session... 1 9. Author... 1 10. Faculty... 1 11. Department... 1 12. Educational Aims... 1 13. Reference Points... 2 14. Learning Outcomes... 2 A. Knowledge and Understanding of:... 2 B. Cognitive (Intellectual or Thinking) Skills, able to:... 3 C. Practical (Professional or Subject) Skills, able to:... 3 D. Transferable (Graduate and Employability) Skills, able to:... 4 15. Course Structure, Progression and Award Requirements... 4 16. Employability Statement... 4 17. Support for Student Learning... 4 18. Admissions Criteria... 5 A. Academic Admissions Criteria... 5 B. Disability... 5 19. Evaluation and Enhancement of Standards and Quality in Learning and Teaching... 5 A. Mechanisms for Review and Evaluation... 5 B. Responsibilities for Monitoring and Evaluation... 6 C. Mechanisms for Gaining Student Feedback... 6 D. Staff Development Priorities... 6 20. Assessment Strategy... 6 21. Assessment Regulations... 6 22. Role of Externals... 7 23. Indicators of Standards and Quality... 7 A. Professional Accreditation/Recognition... 7 B. Periodic Programme Review (or equivalent)... 7 C. Quality Assurance Agency... 7 D. Others... 7 24. Other Sources of Information... 7
Programme Specification 1. Named Awards MA Design for Digital Media 2. Course Code (and UCAS Code if applicable) C1632F, C1632P 3. Awarding Body University of Portsmouth 4. Teaching Institution University of Portsmouth 5. Accrediting Body N/A 6. QAA Benchmark Groups Adapted for Postgraduate from: Art and Design (ADHA) 2008 History of Art and Design (HAAD) 2008 Communication, Media, Film & Cultural Studies (CMF) 2008 7. Document Control Information Version 3, July 2015 8. Effective Session 2015/2016 9. Author Dr. Simone Gumtau 10. Faculty Creative and Cultural Industries 11. Department School of Art and Design 12. Educational Aims The MA Design for Digital Media programme aims to: Provide a framework allowing students to follow a coherent and flexible programme of study, which allows students to enhance and extend their academic, professional, technical and design skills and knowledge in relation to the subject Digital Media, as well as contribute to the field. This is achieved through the development of self-directed research driven study that critically engages with and Programme Specification for [MA Design for Digital Media] Page 1
positions itself at the forefront of the subject. Within the academic environment students develop a wider range of intellectual, analytical and problem-solving skills, which are then appropriately applied. Historical, contemporary and theoretical contextual discourses constitute an essential role in defining and positioning engagement with the subject of Digital Media as situated in Art and Design. Contextual awareness of technological developments and critical interrogation within their subject areas combine to locate the successful graduates at the forefront of contemporary practice. In addition, general aims of the course are to: Provide a challenging and stimulating study environment that facilitates developing and extending the intellectual and practical learning and subject specific skills and knowledge of the student. Enable students to develop specialist interests and knowledge by way of negotiated learning. Provide an opportunity for students to develop as critically reflective practitioners in their chosen specialism. Provide students with the opportunity to develop research in a critical framework of enquiry. Provide students with the skills and knowledge required to maximise career and further postgraduate and research opportunities. To support conceptual innovation and inform new lines of research by fresh approaches to practice 13. Reference Points The programme and its outcomes have been developed taking into account: University of Portsmouth Curriculum Framework Document The research and scholarship and subject expertise of academic members of staff Subject Benchmark Statements of Art and Design (A&D - QAA 238 03/08), History of Art, Architecture and Design (HAAD QAA 239 03/08) and Communication, Media, Film and Cultural Studies (CMFCS QAA 251 06/08) Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ) The UK Quality Code for Higher Education 14. Learning Outcomes A. Knowledge and Understanding of: A1. Generate Ideas, concepts, proposals, solutions or arguments developed at an advanced level related to the field of study (independently and/or collaboratively in response to set briefs and/or as self-initiated activity). (A&D 4.3) A2. The critical, contextual, historical, conceptual and ethical dimension s of current and emerging media and technologies in particular, and art and design in general (4.4 A&D) A3. Developing ideas through to outcomes at an advanced level, for example images, artefacts, environments, products, systems and processes, or texts underpinned by extended self-directed study. (A&D 4.3) A4. The artist s or designer s relationships with audiences, clients, markets, users, consumers, participants, co-workers and co-creators (4.4 A&D) A5. The development of the field addressed by the MA programme and its key intellectual tools (4.2 HAAD) A6. The processes through which digital media design practice is conceived and developed, and of the contexts in which people appropriate, use and make sense of digital media products (4.3 CMFCS). Programme Specification for [MA Design for Digital Media] Page 2
Learning and Teaching Strategies and Methods Basic Information about the subject area is conveyed through a combination of briefings, lectures and demonstrations; students develop results of independent study through workshops, seminars and tutorials, with an emphasis on peer exchange and collaboration Assessment Work is assessed through portfolios of coursework, group and independent projects. (A1-A6). A variety of assessment methods are used (A1-A6; 7.10 CMFCS) and assessment strategies provide for both formative and summative feedback (A1-A6; 5.7, 5.8, 5.9, 5.10 A&D) B. Cognitive (Intellectual or Thinking) Skills, able to: B1. Critically evaluate, articulate and synthesise knowledge and understanding, attributes and skills in effective ways in the contexts of creative practice, employment, further study and research (A&D 4.2) B2. Manage and exploit the interaction between intention, process and outcome, context and the methods of dissemination (4.2 A&D) B3. Apply, consolidate and extend their learning in different contextual frameworks and situations both within and beyond digital media (5.2 CMFCS) B4. Employ both convergent and divergent thinking in the processes of observation, investigation, speculative enquiry, visualisation and/or making. (A&D 4.3) B5. Critically discriminate between alternative arguments and approaches at an advanced level. (HAAD 4.7) B6. Demonstrate research and information retrieval skills, including ability to gather, integrate and organise material critically and evaluate its significance within appropriate intellectual, professional and cultural frameworks (4.6 A&D) Learning and Teaching Strategies and Methods Teaching and Learning methods enable the students to acquire the cognitive skills of a self-reflexive advanced practitioner through briefings, workshops, presentations and group critiques. Lectures, seminars, workshops and tutorials support conceptual development (B1-B6) The development of research skills is an integral part of level 7 group and individual project-based units and is established and developed through research methods and proposal units (B5 and 6) Assessment Work is assessed through portfolios of coursework and major group and independent projects. (B1- B6). A variety of assessment methods are used (B1-B6; 7.10 CMFCS) and assessment strategies provide for both formative and summative feedback (B1-B6; 5.7, 5.8, 5.9, 5.10 A&D) C. Practical (Professional or Subject) Skills, able to: C1. Initiate, develop and realise distinctive and creative work within various forms of writing or of aural, visual, audio-visual, sound, or other electronic/digital media (5.5 CMFCS) C2. Inform creative practice through research and problem solving (5.2 CMFCS) C3. Experiment, as appropriate, with forms, conventions, languages, techniques and practices (5.5 CMFCS) C4. Produce work that demonstrates the effective manipulation of digital interactive multimedia (5.4 CMFCS) C5. Develop modes of practice and solutions appropriate to contexts of application to professional standards (5.6 CFMCS) C6. Be adaptable, creative, self reflexive and self-disciplined in producing output for a variety of audiences and clients and in a variety of media forms (6.1 CMFCS) Learning and Teaching Strategies and Methods Teaching and Learning methods demonstrate the skills and knowledge that relate to the professional needs of digital media industries. These are delivered through practical projects, lectures, workshops, seminars and tutorials which enable the student to understand the relationship between developing ideas into successful outcomes (C1-4) which address the requirements of the creative industries (C5 and 6). Through client-related exercises and group projects students develop Programme Specification for [MA Design for Digital Media] Page 3
understanding of work contexts and appropriate concepts and methods (C6). Through presentations students develop an understanding of audience and client relations. Assessment Work is assessed through group and self-directed independent projects involving a variety of artefact formats: resolution, research folders, reports and oral presentations (C1-C6; 7.10 CMFCS). Assessment strategies provide for both formative and summative feedback (C1-C-6: 5.7, 5.8, 5.9, 5.10 A&D) D. Transferable (Graduate and Employability) Skills, able to: D1. Employ self-management skills to study independently, set goals, manage workloads, meet deadlines and anticipate and accommodate change (A&D 6.6) D2. Employ critical awareness, to analyse information and experience, formulate independent judgments and articulate reasoned argument through reflection, review and evaluation and identify personal strengths and needs (4.6 A&D) D3. Communicate effectively and work productively in a team showing abilities at different times to listen, contribute and lead effectively (6.1 CMFCS) D4. Articulate ideas and information coherently in visual, oral and written forms (4.6 A&D) D5. Employ information skills in order to source, navigate, select, retrieve, evaluate and manipulate and manage information from a variety of sources: select and employ communication and information technologies (4.6 A&D) D.6 Formulate reasoned responses to the critical judgement of others (4.6 A&D) Learning and Teaching Strategies and Methods The teaching and learning methods employed are a combination of lectures, seminars, project workshops and student presentations. (D1-D5) All units have been designed to enhance transferable skills. Students articulate critical awareness, develop information retrieval skills in visual, written and oral forms (D2, D4, D5) and work individually, collaboratively and in teams (D2). Assessment Work is assessed through self-directed independent and group projects, research folders, reports and oral presentations (D1-D4). A variety of assessment methods are used (D1-D4; 7.10 CMFCS) and assessment strategies provide for both formative and summative feedback (D1-D4; 5.7, 5.8, 5.9, 5.10 A&D) 15. Course Structure, Progression and Award Requirements One credit is equivalent to 10 hours of learning. The course comprises 180 credits. Standard University rules apply. The regulations must be consulted for a full description of exit awards. Units are offered 30 credits and 60 credits. A range of choice in project definition provides extensive opportunity for students to vary their pattern of study to suit personal needs. Careers preparation is embedded in all units and is the major focus of the Cultural Networks: Professional Practice unit. 16. Employability Statement The course has embedded varied transferrable skills appropriate to a range of careers opportunities (particularly focussed in the delivery of Professional Practice / Project Management and enterprise content and within self-led projects). All MA DDM students become involved in a group project, which responds to the live brief of an external client (usually a local business or charity) in order to develop a digital presence for them. Here, students learn to work in a team, to deadlines and to the constraints of professional clients, including internal and external communication and testing ideas against contemporary industry/wider context relevance. They will also be introduced to principles of Enterprise following the NESTA toolkit for creative enterprise education. Practitioners as visiting speakers over the last few years, a network of local contacts has been formed, also resulting in one of these companies employing a UoP student. Programme Specification for [MA Design for Digital Media] Page 4
Relevant job opportunities and student design competitions are highlighted through the MA DDM twitter feed. Students are encouraged to continually disseminate their outputs and to engage with the blogosphere, in terms of publishing work online and interaction in discussion, feedback and social media community. All university services are cooperating with us on delivering specifically tailored sessions for creative postgraduate students CCi has a student professional practice fund and MA DDM students are encouraged to take full advantage of this funding opportunity. 17. Support for Student Learning The Course is managed by a Course Leader. Extensive induction programme introduces the student to the University and their course. Each student has a personal tutor, responsible for pastoral support and guidance. University support services include careers, financial advice, housing, counselling etc. The Academic Skills Unit (ASK). CCi Creative Skills Centre and CCi Academic Skills Centre. The Additional Support and Disability Advice Centre (ASDAC). Excellent library facilities. Student course and unit handbooks provide information about the course structure and University regulations etc. Personal Development Planning (PDP) for all awards. Excellent specialist workshop and computing facilities. Studio facilities foster creative development. 18. Admissions Criteria A. Academic Admissions Criteria A minimum of a second-class honours degree in a related subject including design, media, communications, illustration, information technology and cultural and theoretical studies, or equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications. A portfolio of art and design is required. Additional evidence of in-depth engagement in the subject and/or relevant work experience is ideal. Applicants whose first language is not English must provide evidence of English language ability with a minimum IELTS score of 6.5 (normally with not less than 6.0 in any one component) or equivalent. Prior (formal and/or experiential) learning may be assessed and accredited. B. Disability The University makes no distinction in its admissions policy with regard to disability and will endeavour to make all reasonable adjustments in order to make it possible for students to study at Portsmouth on a course of their choice. 19. Evaluation and Enhancement of Standards and Quality in Learning and Teaching A. Mechanisms for Review and Evaluation Course Leader s Annual Standards and Quality Evaluative Review. Head of Department s Annual Standards and Quality Evaluative Review. Unit and Course Level student feedback considered at Board of Studies. Unit Assessment Board consideration of student performance for each programme. Programme Specification for [MA Design for Digital Media] Page 5
Annual Standards and Quality Reports to Board of Studies, including consideration of Subject and Award External Examiner Reports. Periodic Programme Review. Student Representatives and Student/Staff Consultative Committees. National Student Survey. Staff Performance and Development Review. Peer Review and Development Framework. Faculty Learning and Teaching Committee. B. Responsibilities for Monitoring and Evaluation Unit Co-ordinators for unit content and delivery. Course Leader for day-to-day running of course. Board of Studies with overall responsibilities for operation and content of course. Head of Department. Associate Dean (Academic). Associate Dean (Students). Quality Assurance Committee. Unit, Award and Progression Board of Examiners. C. Mechanisms for Gaining Student Feedback Student Representation on Board of Studies. Student Staff Consultative Committees. Unit and Course level student feedback questionnaires. University participates in external student surveys, e.g. National Student Survey (NSS), Postgraduate Research Experience Survey (PRES), Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES) and International Student Barometer (ISB). D. Staff Development Priorities Academic staff undertake activities related to research, scholarship, teaching and learning and student support and guidance. Annual staff performance and development reviews match development to needs. Managers undertake a variety of management development programmes. New academic staff required to undertake appropriate University of Portsmouth learning and teaching programmes. All academic staff encouraged to seek Higher Education Academy membership. Academic staff new to teaching required to undertake the APEX HEA Fellow Programme for new academic staff. Support Staff are encouraged to attend short courses in areas such as minute taking, and specific IT packages. 20. Assessment Strategy Work is assessed through a course progression from brief driven research folders, oral presentations, projects and reports to group work then self-directed independent projects involving a variety of artefact formats: research folder dossiers, digital knowledge bases, project resolution and final reports. The units are arranged to integrate programme learning outcomes as presented in Section 14 and each unit provides opportunity for both formative and summative feedback. Programme Specification for [MA Design for Digital Media] Page 6
21. Assessment Regulations Standard university rules apply (see Assessment and Regulations). 22. Role of Externals Subject External Examiners who will: oversee unit assessment and usually attend Unit Assessment Boards; review unit assessment strategy sample assessment artefacts; report to Unit Assessment Boards. Award External Examiners (usually also a Subject External Examiner) who will: oversee and attend Award/Progression Boards; scrutinise and endorse the outcomes of assessment; ensure that the standard of the award is maintained at a level comparable with that of similar awards elsewhere in the United Kingdom. 23. Indicators of Standards and Quality A. Professional Accreditation/Recognition Not applicable B. Periodic Programme Review (or equivalent) The MA Design for Digital Media course participated in a successful Periodic Programme Review on 18 th March 2014. C. Quality Assurance Agency QAA Higher Education Review, March 2015, judgements about standards and quality meet UK expectations (for full report see Higher Education Review of the University of Portsmouth, March 2015 1 ). D. Others None. 24. Other Sources of Information Other sources of information may be found in Course Approval Document. Student Handbook. University of Portsmouth Curricula Framework. Assessment Regulations. University of Portsmouth (http://www.port.ac.uk/) and the School of Art and Design website (http://www.port.ac.uk/school-of-art-and-design). 1 www.qaa.ac.uk/en/reviewsandreports/documents/university%20of%20portsmouth/university-of- Portsmouth-HER-15.pdf Programme Specification for [MA Design for Digital Media] Page 7
Unit Assessment Map UNITS COURSEWORK EXAMINATION Level Name Code Credit Delivery FULL TIME MODE Core/ Optio n Total % Type of Artefact 7 A QUESTION OF RESEARCH U20974 30 1 C 100 Symposium Presentation Reflective Synopsis Duration/ Length 20 minutes 500-1000 words 7 PROPOSAL U20973 30 1 C 100 Research Proposal 3000-5000 words 100 7 DESIGN, INNOVATION AND ENTERPRISE 7 DIGITAL FUTURES - CRITICAL DESIGN 7 MAJOR PROJECT: RESEARCH AND RESOLUTION PART TIME MODE U24415 30 2 C 100 Portfolio (presentation, written and digital work) Presentation U20970 30 2 C 100 Portfolio Presentation U23653 60 Year C 100 Practical outcome Report and Research Database 7 A QUESTION OF RESEARCH U22977 30 Year C 100 Symposium Presentation Reflective Synopsis 6000 word equivalent 3000 words 20 minutes 500-1000 words 7 PROPOSAL U22978 30 Year C 100 Research Proposal 3000-5000 words 100 Weighting % 100 80 20 80 20 50 50 100 Total % Open/ Closed Duration (hrs) Weighting % 7 DIGITAL FUTURES - CRITICAL DESIGN U20970 30 1 C 100 Portfolio Presentation 80 20 7 DESIGN, INNOVATION AND ENTERPRISE U24415 30 2 C 100 Portfolio (presentation, written and digital work) 6000 word equivalent 100 7 MAJOR PROJECT: RESEARCH AND RESOLUTION U23653 60 Year C 100 Practical outcome Report and Research Database 3000 words 50 50 Unit Assessment Map for [MA Design for Digital Media] Page 1
Unit Learning Outcomes Map 2 UNITS Level Name Code Credit Delivery FULL TIME MODE LEARNING OUTCOMES Core/ Option A1 A2 A3 A4 A5 A6 B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6 D1 D2 D3 D4 D5 D6 7 A QUESTION OF RESEARCH U20974 30 1 C X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 7 PROPOSAL U20973 30 1 C X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 7 DESIGN, INNOVATION AND ENTERPRISE U24415 30 2 C X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 7 DIGITAL FUTURES - CRITICAL DESIGN U20970 30 2 C X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 7 MAJOR PROJECT: RESEARCH AND RESOLUTION PART TIME MODE U23653 60 Year C X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 7 A QUESTION OF RESEARCH U22977 30 Year C X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 7 PROPOSAL U22978 30 Year C X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 7 DIGITAL FUTURES - CRITICAL DESIGN U20970 30 1 C X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 7 DESIGN, INNOVATION AND ENTERPRISE 7 MAJOR PROJECT: RESEARCH AND RESOLUTION U24415 30 2 C X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X U23653 60 Year C X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 2 A = Knowledge and Understanding; B = Cognitive (Intellectual) Skills; C = Practical (Subject Specific) Skills; D = Transferable Skills Unit Learning Outcomes Map for [MA Design for Digital Media] Page 1