Bachelor of Visual Arts Honours
Culture and Arts - Visual Arts
Purpose and Rationale
Qualification in Visual Arts Honours
Purpose:
The purpose of this qualification is to produce learners with high levels of creative, conceptual and technical proficiency in the visual and design arts and to reinforce professionalism in creative and business practice. The qualification also stimulates among learners, personal growth through practicing analytical, critical, reflective and problem-solving skills. Further to this is the intention of this qualification to develop the learner's world view such that there is a deeper understanding of the role the visual art and design disciplines have in influencing society. The qualification will contribute to the pool of suitably skilled, and creative, art and design graduates in South Africa in the areas of fashion and textile design, fine art, graphic design, photography and hybrid visual arts disciplines is synergistic with the importance placed on the entrepreneurial element of the qualification. A significant aspect of the qualification is the formal engagement to develop a culture of research within the visual and design arts that will contribute to the production of new knowledge and the growth of Postgraduate studies.
Rationale:
This qualification is intended to encourage advanced levels of creative and professional practice in the visual and design arts, whilst simultaneously emphasising academic integrity by building research engagement. The pursuit of best practice in the visual arts disciplines, and the trends in internationally recognised and rated qualifications, suggests a re-alignment of curricula to encompass inter- and transdisciplinary engagement, human-centeredness, and the inclusion of liberal arts content. Accordingly, the Bachelor of Visual Arts Honours acknowledges the existence of the individual disciplinary streams of fashion and textiles, fine art, graphic design and photography, but also develops the possible synergies between them. The qualification acknowledges the growth of hybrid industries within the visual and design arts, where boundaries between the disciplines are blurred, where technological developments spur innovative developments, and where collaborative projects are commonplace, and questions the very narrowly defined parameters and obvious skills needs formerly required of these disciplines. Consequently, it will prepare learners to operate on three levels: Achieve sufficiently advanced knowledge and vocational skills to function in competitive and challenging cultural and industrial environments. Understand the importance of practising entrepreneurship through the development of advanced skills in communication and business practice, and the application of personal initiative and innovation. Apply advanced critical thinking, problem solving and research skills in pursuit of knowledge application.
Outcomes
- Resolve visual problems that span a range of knowledge and experience, with advanced creative visual solutions.
- Demonstrate an advanced awareness of the importance of contextual relevance, multiculturalism, knowledge systems and diversity.
- Synthesise sophisticated solutions that express high levels of conceptual creativity.
- Initiate and practice transdisciplinary engagement and produce creative outputs through interdisciplinary collaboration.
- Apply a human-centred approach to advanced communication, creative outputs and social commentary.
- Attain high levels of crafting, technical and technological competency and professional practice compliancy for the field of study.
- Produce a series of creative artefacts that demonstrate an advanced ability to engage in critical thinking, self-criticism and reflective practice and research.
- Provide evidence, through the presentation of a portfolio of work, of an advanced ability to practice as a creative professional within the discipline of fashion and textiles, fine art, graphic design, or photography.
- Demonstrate research skills within a given research theme, in a discipline, by engaging in informed written and verbal discourse.
Assessment Criteria
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
- Apply advanced problem-solving skills within the disciplinary context.
- Demonstrate advanced lateral thinking in creative works.
- Interpret a range of knowledge systems in visual problem solutions.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
- Analyse and solve complex visual and communication problems.
- Demonstrate awareness of ethical and social issues in art and design.
- Address visual problem-solving with context in mind.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
- Apply advanced problem-solving methodologies.
- Challenge traditional views of creative representation.
- Question current creative approaches.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
- Engage in discourse outside of visual arts disciplines.
- Understand relevance and interconnectedness within a worldview.
- Work effectively in group environments.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
- Analyse social influence and consequences of creative outputs.
- Apply human-centred, creative solutions.
- Articulate the importance of culture, economics, environment, politics, and sustainability.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
- Demonstrate advanced crafting skills and technical facility.
- Understand the importance of practice and repetition.
- Demonstrate general business and discipline-specific technological competency.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:
- Produce advanced creative outputs in response to briefs.
- Employ critique, self-criticism, and reflection.
- Demonstrate competencies in visual, textual, and verbal research.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8:
- Produce a portfolio exhibiting ability as a creative professional.
- Produce outputs driven by client briefs, self-initiated, and for charities/NGOs.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 9:
- Identify and define a research theme.
- Formulate a research proposal and methodology.
- Competently acquire and integrate research data.
Integrated Assessment:
- Formative assessment based on process criticism.
- Summative assessment includes written and verbal feedback.
- Various assessment methods like tutorials, presentations, peer assessment.
Qualification Details
- Type
- Honours Degree
- NQF Level
- 08
- Min. Credits
- 120
- SAQA Source
- More Information
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This page includes information from the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) . Builtneat Pty Ltd trading as Study Start, has modified all or some of this information. SAQA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.