Overview

This module offers students the opportunity to achieve a degree of working knowledge – both theoretical and practical – in the field of arts administration. During the semester, the students will plan and undertake an extended independent placement of at least 40 hours within the community, with a specific defined goal. This may be in the Bangor area or elsewhere: a possible institution could be a school, arts centre or other arts organisation (e.g. festival, music society, orchestra). The project will have a clearly defined brief with an attainable target or targets: it might involve market research on behalf of an arts centre, with a view to producing a series of recommendations on policy, or it might involve organization of a series of educational workshops on a specific theme for a local school or schools. Students may wish to focus on the same community project (e.g. the Bangor Music Festival), given that their specific responsibilities are clearly defined in their individual briefs.

Assessment Strategy

-threshold -Fail: E and below (0%-39%) Failure at honours level comes automatically from: plagiarism; lack of a bibliography (except in the rare cases where a bibliography is not required), or the provision of an obviously bogus bibliography; lack of footnotes/endnotes (except in the rare cases where footnotes/endnotes are not required); failure to fulfil the module’s stated learning outcomes. Failure usually comes from insufficient study, knowledge and/or understanding. It may also be the result of passive and inaccurate reliance on your sources; ignoring teaching and handout instructions; weak and confused discussion which demonstrates serious misunderstandings or ignorance; reliance on previously gained knowledge (for example at A-Level) which has not been re-negotiated; illiterate writing; inadequate oral expression; inability to address the topic; expression of unexamined value judgements.

Third Class: D- to D+ (40%-49%) The crucial achievement is demonstration of a basic grasp of what the topic is about, and the sort of material involved. However, the mark will be limited to this level by such things as: mere repetition of information without demonstration of real understanding; confusion of argument which indicates a failure to properly understand the material; inability to distinguish the relevant from the irrelevant; inability to grasp ideas; inclusion of factual errors; seriously defective bibliographical or footnoting skills; poor expression; oral reticence; scrappy presentation

Lower Second Class: C- to C+ (50%-59%) The main quality which warrants marks in this category is the amassing of a reasonable body of relevant material drawn from a fairly wide range of reading or other forms of information retrieval, sorted into a coherent order and expressed intelligibly. Qualities which limit the mark to this level are: incoherent arguments, or argument which is defective in some way; limited or defective bibliography or footnotes; limited understanding of ideas or argument; limited evidence of a broad knowledge and understanding of the topic; limited engagement with negotiating and renegotiating ideas in oral discussion; limited evidence of serious thought, as opposed to straightforward diligence.

Upper Second Class: B- to B+ (60%-69%) The distinguishing quality is the ability to construct focused argument which is properly evidenced. The work will therefore probably demonstrate the ability to understand the discussion of a work of art and to apply that knowledge to different works; the conveyance of a general knowledge and understanding of the topic as a whole, and of a more detailed knowledge and understanding of specific areas; competent bibliographical and footnoting skills; effective communication of ideas and argument; thoughtful contribution to oral discussion; ability to see problems and contradictions within source reading; skills in observation and analysis. Upper Second Class work may contain many of the same qualities which apply in First Class work, but they will be demonstrated at a less independent level, or the work may be outstanding in one First-class characteristic but significantly deficient in another.

First Class: A- and A (70%-83%) The distinguishing quality is evidence of real intellectual and independent thought in a sustained discussion. Work at this level will probably demonstrate initiative in carrying out research beyond the obvious sources; ability to evaluate critically sources used; sustained and coherent discussion; articulate expression in speaking and writing; ability to bring together material from disparate sources; observational and analytical skills of a high order; the ability to employ knowledge to illuminate musical texts; indications of wide knowledge beyond the narrow confines of the topic addressed; the ability to lead oral discussion; ability to identify and rigorously confront problems in the topic, contradictions in texts, or lacunae in available evidence. First Class: A+ to A** (84%-100%) Work at this level is highly original and of a standard that attains or closely approaches professional standards. The work will demonstrate in a consistent manner all of the features listed in the A-/A (70%-83%) category, and will be of such a quality that it either stands up to publication or broadcast in its submitted state or has the potential for publication or broadcast with presentational amendments.

Learning Outcomes

• On completion of the module, students will be able to apply a variety of enhanced communication skills, as appropriate for this level of study.

• On completion of the module, students will be able to critically analyse the theoretical basis underpinning an informed approach to the promotion of the arts in the community.

• On completion of the module, students will be able to critically analyse the various factors involved in arts management

• On completion of the module, students will be able to demonstrate advanced personal, social and administrative skills by taking responsibility of a specific project within a prescribed community context, involving a considerable degree of independent work.

• On completion of the module, students will be able to demonstrate mature powers of sustained independent inquiry