Research Methods:
Introduces students to the process of research, including the ability to work from libraries, exhibitions and institutional archives, and developing skills in visual literacy and academic writing. Students are encouraged to develop independence of thought by discovering, evaluating and making appropriate use of a wide range of approaches to research and writing. Complimenting the courses on theory, this course assists students with the identification of their own interests as they move towards choosing a thesis topic.

World Arts:
Addresses issues that relate to the interpretation, perception and representation of the visual arts in other (‘non-western’) cultures, globally, with a focus on indigenous (‘ethnographic’) and prehistoric (‘archaeological’) art, known as ‘World Art’. Students are encouraged to investigate issues that relate to engaging with art across cultures, and consider critically colonial/neocolonial encounters and the representation and display of other cultures. A range of case studies will be examined, which may include the representations and interventions of indigenous peoples and prehistoric art in the Americas, Africa, Oceania and Europe.

Art and Its Histories:
Explores a range of theories and methods which situate art in its historical context, from the more traditional methods associated with formal analysis and connoisseurship (formalist, biographical, and iconographic) to more recent theoretical approaches (such as semiotics, feminism, psychoanalysis, deconstruction, Foucault). Students examine a variety of texts as strategies for determining and analyzing different theories and methods, and their application to visual examples with a focus on the twentieth century: situating the modern and postmodern precursors to art of the twenty-first century.

Contemporary Art:
Engages students with the diversity of contemporary artistic practice in an international setting, situating this historically, conceptually and theoretically. Students will consider critically the diversity of and interface between contemporary visual practices on a global scale, situating these within current theoretical concerns, and examining a wide range of case studies and the social, cultural and political issues emerging from these. Extensive use will be made of London’s galleries and thriving multicultural contemporary art scene, with examples drawn from such case studies as the Middle East, Africa, India, China, Russia, Europe and the USA.

Curating:
Equips students with the practical skills and theoretical knowledge necessary for making exhibitions in a museum or gallery. The course will trace the history of curating from the Salons in Paris through key exhibitions produced by the avant-gardes in the 20th century. Students will become familiar with current topics in curating, including the concept of the ‘universal’ museum, the ‘artist as curator’, new institutionalism and the ‘educational turn’ in curating, alongside issues to do with museum collections, including the ethics of ownership. Students will also explore practical aspects of curating, such as transport, insurance, installation and object handling. The course will make use of London’s many arts institutions.

International Art Market:
Provides students with an overview of the international art market, including its history and current dynamics. Specific attention will be paid to emerging markets in China, Russia, India and the Middle East. The course analyses the structure, theory and practice of the constituent components of the ‘for-profit’ arts sector, including commercial galleries, auction houses, art fairs and consultancy organisations. Qualitative and quantitative research methods for art business and investment will be discussed.

Art Education:
Engages students with current discourse on the educative, social and regenerative potential of the arts, and how these potentials are activated in museum programming and public policy. Students will explore the practical application of learning theories in the gallery; access, outreach and audience development in the museum and case studies of the success and failure of the arts as instruments of urban renewal, both through capital projects and community engagement. As well as studying local and international contexts, the course will draw upon case examples of regional museums and galleries in the UK.

Professional Digitial Media Skills:
The module is designed to enhance students’ skills in the use of online media. It is split between two main assessments, one focused on research and development, the other on online media practice. For their practical assessment, students have to create an individual media project that sets out to use the potentials of the net and new media technologies in an informed and innovative way. Students will be able to focus on PR, advertising and/or journalism but will be expected to display an understanding of all these disciplines. For the more conceptual assessment, students have to do research and development work, coming up with an idea for an innovative online media product/strategy which they then sell via a short presentation. Students on this module are also required to keep a log documenting the work they do on their assessments. At the end of the module, they draw on the notes kept on their blog for a summary critical report, which evaluates the work done on the module and summarises the main things learnt.

Thesis:
For students working independently on their Masters thesis. The dissertation encourages students to study intensively a topic agreed with a supervisor, and so develop skills and experience which can be applied in work placements or further graduate work. The course is comprised of independent research and writing, overseen by a thesis supervisor, resulting in production of a 10-12,000 word thesis. Collaborative and supportive dialogue with the supervisor and fellow ‘junior research colleagues’ will involve advice on the research and writing process, suggestions for resources and research directions, and comments on draft chapters of the thesis.

Extended Thesis:
For students working independently on their Masters thesis. An extended thesis of 15,000-
20,000 words is offered as an alternative to the mandatory internship. The dissertation encourages students to study intensively a topic agreed with a supervisor, and so develop skills and experience which can be applied in work placements or further graduate work. The course is comprised of independent research and writing, overseen by a thesis supervisor, resulting in production of a 15,000-20,000 word thesis. Collaborative and supportive dialogue with the supervisor and fellow ‘junior research colleagues’ will involve advice on the research and writing process, suggestions for resources and research directions, and comments on draft chapters of the thesis.