| Unit name | Collaborative Professional Practice |
|---|---|
| Unit code | HUMSM0022 |
| Credit points | 40 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
| Unit director | Dr. Ann Matchette |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
none |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
none |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
none |
| School/department | School of Humanities |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts, Law and Social Sciences |
Why is this unit important?
This practical unit offers you the opportunity to work with cultural professionals and collections and translate your knowledge into written and visual formats for public audiences. You will be taught in small-group settings that allow you to develop your knowledge and skills through object-based and site analysis, reading, research, and extensive discussion, exposing you to current debates and best professional practice in cultural heritage.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study?
The professional practice unit builds on your previous knowledge by allowing you to focus on a thematic project. You will deploy your research skills; hone your critical abilities, including visual analysis; develop greater confidence and competence with primary sources and complex concepts to support your independent research; and learn to write for diverse audiences.
Students taking this unit will work collaboratively with a major external collaborative partner from museum, archive, and heritage industries on a defined project. They may curate a scholarly exhibition drawn from the rich and diverse holdings of the partner’s collection, conduct object research, and/or devise another form of public engagement/programming (such as a heritage walk, film or installation). If an exhibition, they might develop a theme for the exhibition, choose and research the objects, write display texts, manage the publicity (including social media) and evaluation. If collection-research based, they might select and research the objects, write interpretation, and produce a catalogue. They might also work on a digital project based on their first-hand research. Partners have included: RWA (Royal West of England Academy); The Holburne Museum, Bath; Tate Britain London; National Museum Wales, Cardiff; National Portrait Gallery and the National Trust.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
The unit aims to give MA students hands-on experience in professional contexts with industry professionals, which is particularly important for those going on to work in museums, galleries, and heritage sites.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
Classes will involve a combination of seminars, class discussion, investigative activities, and practical workshops, which include first-hand object and/or site analysis. Students will be expected to engage with readings and participate on a weekly basis. This will be further supported with drop-in sessions and self-directed exercises with tutor and peer feedback.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
Individual project portfolio (80%) [ILOs 1-5]. The portfolio represents your individual contribution to the group project and receives an individual mark.
Group presentation (20%) [ILOs 2-4]. The presentation will be delivered in groups and alongside an illustrated visual aid (like a PowerPoint presentation) or on-site. A single group mark will be awarded; all group members must contribute to development and/or delivery of the presentation to be awarded the mark.
When assessment does not go to plan
When required by the Board of Examiners, you will normally complete reassessments in the same formats as those outlined above. However, the Board reserves the right to modify the form or number of reassessments required. Details of reassessments are normally confirmed by the School shortly after the notification of your results at the end of the academic year.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. HUMSM0022).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The assessment methods listed in this unit specification are designed to enable students to demonstrate the named learning outcomes (LOs). Where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, schools will make reasonable adjustments to support a student to demonstrate the LO by an alternative method or with additional resources.
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
