Introduction

The study programme in Visual Art and Design will furnish students with the skills to express their thoughts and feelings visually. It emphasizes basic skills in drawing and painting techniques as well as work with contemporary artistic expressions. Core themes include artistic expression, art appreciation, visual communication, sculptural design and entrepreneurial activities in the field of the arts. The first year of study is identical to the courses of the one-year study programme Drawing and Images.

Target Group and Admission Requirements

Admission requirements: General admission requirements or teacher education qualifications. Suitable prior experiential learning may also qualify for admission.

Who is the study programme aimed at?

• Students who wish to prepare for further education in the performing arts
• BA students in art and craft subjects
• Continuing education for General Teacher Education (GLU) teachers (1^st year of study)
• Continuing education for subject teachers (2^nd year of study)

Aim of the Programme

The intention of the study programme is to establish fundamental competence in visual communication within different forms of expression. It is also designed to develop understanding and insight into aesthetic theory, basic research theory and methodology, and contemporary forms of cultural expression. The products of the student’s own creative efforts are an important aspect of the study programme. The study programme also focuses on the ability to understand, create and mediate meanings through visual expressions. The third year of study emphasizes understanding of professional practices that are of importance in the production of art.

Learning outcome

After successfully completing the study programme, the candidate will have achieved the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence.

Knowledge

The candidate has:

• An all-round aesthetic capability, knows the basic features of art and design and is able to relate this to his/her own creative work
• Knowledge of learning strategies, methods and learning contexts and the relationship between objectives, content and framework conditions
• Knowledge of assessment in art and culture subjects

Skills

The candidate can/is familiar with:

• Develop their ability to solve problems and visualise ideas through imaging and sculptural processes
• Facilitate aesthetic expression, perception and cognition
• Assess and use relevant research results and conduct systematic development work
• The learning outcomes of the various study programme courses

General competence

The candidate:

• Has knowledge, skills and competence in the use and management of materials, tools and techniques
• Understands the societal perspectives related to technology and media development (safe use, privacy and freedom of expression)

Curriculum and structure

The study programme includes:

• Drawing
• Painting
• Using colour
• Graphics
• Model work
• Sculptural work using various materials
• Digital imaging
• Video
• Film
• Arts and design
• Exhibitions, dissemination and documentation
• Entrepreneurship

Courses:

1st year:

• Drawing and Images
• Illustration and Digital Work
• Art History and Design (common w / “subject teacher”)

2nd year

• Workshop Training with Wood, Metal and Clay
• Sculpture
• Art Lab
• Film
• Art in Nature - Winter
• Video Art
• Explorative Practices

3rd year

• Graphic Design
• Student Enterprise
• Scientific Theory
• Aesthetic Theory
• Cultural Entrepreneurship
• Bachelor’s Thesis

Internationalization

In the fifth semester, students have the opportunity to take part of their studies at an educational institution abroad. Telemark University College is associated with NORDPLUS, Nordflo and Edda which all offer students the option of studying at an equivalent educational institution in Denmark, Finland, the Faroes, Iceland, Greenland or Sweden. The principle of parity applies, i.e. the student will be awarded the equivalent number of ECTS credits. Mobility and travel grants are available. More information is available on the following website: http://www.nordfo.org/no

Teaching and Learning Methods

The academic year comprises 1,600 working hours, including approximately 300 hours of lectures, tutorials and seminars (further clarification is given in the course descriptions and semester plans). Through guidance in the workshop sessions, theory and reflection will be related to the student’s own creative work. The study programme includes the following varied teaching methods:

• Seminars
• Colloquiums
• Demonstrations and instructions
• Lectures
• Visual presentations
• Project work, such as the use of exhibitions and other cultural initiatives in schools and in local communities
• Workshop activities

Attendance requirements

Guidelines for obligatory attendance in studies at the Faculty of Art, Folk Culture and Teacher Education will be valid for parts of the study programme. The student is responsible for documenting attendance in the obligatory parts of the study programme, and keeping himself/herself informed with regard to whether he/she is in danger of falling below the minimum attendance requirement. Failure to meet the attendance requirement may result in the student not being allowed to continue on the study programme or to sit the examination. This will be considered in connection with a student’s rights and responsibilities as described in Telemark University College’s examination regulations and the Norwegian Universities Act § 40 and § 46.3.

Requirements regarding progression in the study programme:
All examinations at each stage of the study programme must be passed before the student can continue to the next stage of the programme.

Student participation/academic affairs committee

Each class has a student representative and a deputy. These representatives participate in the faculty’s democratic processes. The class also has its own academic affairs committee which consists of 2-3 students who function as a link between the teaching team and the class. When appropriate, the committee may participate in team meetings in order to discuss matters in connection with planning and the class’s activities. The students will also choose representatives for course committees in Art and Design Culture (1st year of study).

The academic affairs committee and the course committees must have at least one meeting per semester. The subject teacher and class leader are responsible for ensuring that representatives are appointed and for arranging the first meeting. Minutes will be recorded at the meetings. These will be delivered to the programme coordinator and the head of the department.

Participation in the class’s and campus’s democratic processes is both a student right as well as a responsibility.

Online- based instruction in the 3rd year

The 3rd year of study will be organized as online learning with workshops. Campus students will also be able to attend classes. The study programme includes video-conferenced teaching, seminars and supervision. Teachers and students will be able to post images, answers and other documents as well as links to other Internet addresses. Students will receive training in the use of the learning platform.

Communication between student and the university college takes place via the Internet. Students must have access to a computer with word-processing software, e-mail and Internet, and to specific programmes for each of the courses. The study programme is characterised by the interaction between practical creative work, theoretical orientation and reflection. Instruction includes lectures (or lecture notes). The study programme has requirements regarding participation and assignments that must be submitted. Students are encouraged to form groups; the university college will assist students in this process.

Theory and Practical Training

This study programme does not include a period of practical training, but projects in 3rd year of study may be aimed at businesses in the cultural sector.

Assessment Methods

The study programme aims to create a balance between aims, content, teaching and learning methods and assessment methods. The assessment will be an aspect of the learning itself, as well as a means by which the individual student may gain insight into their own potential for further studies and future employment.

The assessment during the course of the study programme is intended, in part, to guide the students. This guidance involves work-processes, results and the student’s ability to cooperate. Both students and teachers participate in assessing the study programme with the objective of improving it. This assessment must therefore involve the content and the organisation of the programme as well as students’ individual work and working methods throughout the year.

Diploma and transcript of grades

The diploma for BA Visual Art & Design includes all the courses that the student has completed which have been allocated grades. Students who do not complete the whole study programme may obtain a transcript for the examination protocol for the courses which have received passing grades.

A graded mark from A-F will be entered on the diploma, where A represents the highest passing mark, and E the lowest. All assignments must receive a minimum grade of E in order to receive a final passing grade. All the parts of the examination and courses must receive passing marks before the candidate can be awarded a BA diploma. Some of the courses are assessed on a pass/fail basis. The forms of assessment and examination are described for each individual course. Students may receive a transcript for the examinations that have received passing marks. Please refer to Telemark University College’s Examination Regulations for more information.

Suitability

The study programme does not include suitability assessment.

Minor adjustments may occur during the academic year, subject to the decision of the Dean