Course Catalogue

The MA develops and sustains a deep understanding of, and imaginative engagement with, the history, theory and practice of worldwide exhibition cultures. The programme aims: To enable students to understand the ways in which exhibitions are made, studied and analysed; To equip students with a knowledge of the history, theory and practice of exhibition cultures; To provide industry relevant learning and teaching through the engagement of the professional cultural sector in the delivery of the programme; To provide practical skills and abilities within the curatorial activities of cultural organisations; To equip students with the necessary historical and critical perspectives to enable them to engage with exhibition practices in both a local and a global context; To provide relevant learning and teaching experiences through collaboration with established key partners to understand the social and cultural environment of the city, and its relation the broader International art scene; To develop appropriate research skills, relevant approaches to practice and the critical abilities to support projects; To produce post-graduates who can apply these critical and practical skills, research techniques and understanding in their chosen careers.

The programme will be taught through a combination of seminars and field visits. This allows for the integration of functional and general management areas within specific problem solving contexts and scenarios. Lectures, workshops and tutorials will be used. Guest Lecturers from the cultural sector will provide relevant content and visits to cultural organisations and the use of case studies will be central to the delivery methods in order to ensure relevance and the application of theory to practice. Experiential learning is consolidated through work-related tasks and professional development. The use of Canvas will make teaching materials readily available and provide a means for participants to maintain contact. Assessment methods are specified in each module handbook. All learning outcomes in a module are assessed. The assessment of knowledge and understanding is coursework: e.g. seminar presentations, group presentation, coursework, reflective essays and reports, Practical Projects and Evaluations and a dissertation with approved practical work. In most modules more than one piece of assessment is required and this allows for formative feedback as well as summative assessment. The predominant assessment method will be individual and group coursework. In most modules more than one piece of assessment is required and this allows for formative feedback as well as summative assessment. The linkage of theory to practice is key to the masters programme and the assessment will seek to replicate professional curatorial and exhibitionary practices as far as possible. Intellectual skills are developed through a combination of teaching methods. Study days with practicing curators aim to transmit ideas and information. Seminars aim to promote discussion, debate and analysis. Workshops offer practical demonstrations and tutorials foster independent practice. In particular the use of case studies will encourage integration of roles and visits to cultural organisations will reinforce the attainment of intellectual skills. The assessment of intellectual skills is through coursework. Written coursework, verbal presentations and practical work measure the students work in terms of research, critical analysis and communication/ presentation skills. An important element of the programme is the opportunity it provides for participants to apply their learning to organisational situations, activities will support participants in their application of learning to live scenarios. The assessment methodology utilises professional practices as a means of replicating professional requirements. This will allow students to demonstrate professional practical skills throughout the programme. Students will be provided with support at induction and throughout the programme in developing key skills. The skills will be gathered progressively as a result of the teaching and learning strategies which place personal reflection, self awareness, creative thinking and the development of independent learning skills at the core of the programme. Skills will be developed in an organic and systemic way. Many of the skills are assessed indirectly, as they inform and underpin a learning outcome. For example, the ability to prioritise work in time critical situations is not explicitly assessed. However, the effectiveness with which they do this will have a direct bearing on the quality of their work and is thus being indirectly assessed in every other assessment. This indirect assessment is embedded in the course structure.

All students are encouraged to identify and evaluate their programme specific, personal and transferable skills in an environment external to LJMU. The engagement with the collaborating institutions provides work-related experience and insight into the production and circulation of contemporary art and its audiences in a local and international context. The Liverpool School of Art has a dedicated Student Development Co-ordinator who supports career development with workshops and the distribution of jobs in the sector. This is further supplemented by career specific roles circulated by the programme team throughout the year.