Open College of the Arts: Guide to Courses 08-09 (pdf document) free file download at fliiby.com

"Open College of the Arts 0800 731 2116 www.oca-uk.com Guide to Courses 2008–09 Lynette Benton Foreword Ars Longa, Vita Brevis Art is long, life is short Arts: visual, verbal, musical and mathematical are not alone among human activities that depend on a balance of intuition, intellect and actions to take them forward in public and personal life. The Open College of the Arts was founded to cater for people who wish to develop their abilities and understandings in this sphere. People who see no present way of engaging in the traditional pathways of full-time and part-time education. To make this provision, the college has developed a series of courses contained in book form that can be followed at home. Each course book is the work of individual, practising artists. The writers engage students in methods, materials and ideas as seen from their own perceptions, beliefs and experience. Following the course adjusts students’ minds to problems that have to be encountered whatever part they eventually play in the development of their own work. Education opens horizons and the OCA courses were devised in this spirit. The disciplines they encourage enable future progress rather than offering a ‘correct’ way to arrive. Where techniques are concerned learning sound practice is enabling. The OCA believes that all art needs is inexpensive and flexible materials to start the investigation of ideas. Pencil and paper meet this need. When a mark, word, note or number joins another the dialogue of creation commences. Whatever direction the articulation of the idea eventually takes, ‘drawing’ in this broad sense is basic. Arts, alongside science and philosophy, reflect and investigate the nature of the world, its inhabitants and beyond. Artists make works that others can encounter and by doing so perhaps identify with, confirming or widening their own experience. There is no explanation for the importance of these creations other than audience recognition of their varying degrees of significance and beauty. That beauty touches people both close by and distant in time and culture: it extends understandings and enhances life. Richard Robbins OCA Trustee and former Head of Fine Art at Middlesex University Al Brown Studying with the OCA What is the OCA? Why choose the OCA? Who are our students? Our tutors Our courses The personal learning log The tuition system Choosing the right course 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 BA Hons in Creative Arts Progression routes 9 14 Courses Fine Art Photography and Digital Imaging Textile Design Art History Interior and Garden Design Creative Writing Composing Music 17 31 41 47 53 59 71 The small print Frequently Asked Questions Enrolment Fees, discounts and bursaries 77 80 84 The OCA online inside back cover Contents Alexandra March What is the OCA? The Open College of the Arts (OCA) is a creative arts college specialising in distance learning. We are an educational charity and our mission is to give you the skills to discover and express your creative talents. Our courses span a wide range of disciplines and all of them can be studied entirely from home. You can work towards a BA Hons in Creative Arts, or a Certificate or Diploma in Higher Education. Or you can study for the sheer pleasure and interest of practising new skills and exploring your creativity. When you enrol, you will be joining a vibrant, worldwide community of artists, writers, designers and composers. If you decide to work towards a degree, you will be following a recognised higher education programme validated by a UK university and meeting the highest quality standards. 1 Why choose the OCA? The OCA is unique. We specialise in the creative arts (we don't do anything else) and no-one offers a wider range of home study courses in creative arts disciplines. You can enrol with us at any time and because you will be working from home, you can fit your studies around other commitments. There are no age limits and for our foundation and Level 1 courses, there are no entry requirements. We believe in open access for everyone who wants to discover themselves as an artist, get a qualification, or just develop new skills. All our tutors are experienced teachers and practising artists, designers, writers, photographers or composers. Our range of subjects and our ‘ladder’ of study levels offer something for everyone, from beginners right up to those with substantial experience. It also means there are opportunities for everyone to progress. Our website – www.oca-uk.com – will showcase your work and it also supports lively online discussion forums. • Study for a degree, career or pleasure • Wide choice of subjects • Courses from Foundation to Level 3 • Start any time • Work at home at your own pace • One-to-one tutoring from an established practitioner • No entry requirements at Foundation and Level 1 • No exams • Excellent value for money • Combine study with employment 2 Who are our students? Two thousand students enrol with us each year. They are of all ages and from all walks of life – from baristas to barristers. Our oldest student is 92. Since the OCA was founded in 1987, we have enrolled and supported over 50,000 students worldwide. Most are from the UK. Five per cent are from the EU or overseas. The nature of distance learning means that you do not have to be a UK resident to enrol. And if you are a UK resident but move abroad, or if your work takes you abroad, your course travels with you. Many of our students are studying for a degree. Others want to boost their career and work prospects. Some are studying as a leisure activity. Some of our students already have a portfolio of work behind them and enrol because they want to explore a new discipline or top up existing qualifications. However, many people who study with us are beginners new to the creative arts. They are starting out on an exciting journey of discovery in which they will uncover unsuspected skills and insights. The one thing they all have in common is the desire to explore and practise one or more of the creative arts. The OCA is very proud of the progress and achievements of its students. OCA students have provided (unless otherwise indicated) all the images used as illustrations in this Guide. Fine Art, Photography and Textile courses will have examples of work done by students on the particular courses, whereas the images used to illustrate the Art History, Interior and Garden Design, Creative Writing and Composing Music course are taken from students across the college. 3 Our tutors We have over 200 tutors, based throughout the UK. All the OCA tutors are experienced teachers. They are also practising artists, photographers, designers, writers or composers. Their combination of professional expertise with a strong background in teaching is a key strength of the OCA. You can be confident in your tutor’s ability to help you develop your skills and give you supportive and constructive feedback. Brian Fletcher, Painting tutor, in his studio Our courses You have a choice of nearly 50 courses from six schools and you can study at Foundation or introductory level up to Level 3. You can start your course at any time and work at the pace which suits your personal circumstances. Choosing the right course on page 8, will help you decide where to start. Our courses are written by leading subject specialists who are both practising artists and established authors in their field. Course materials are practically-based and set out clear programmes of work. They are designed and structured to support home-based study. They are also very enjoyable. They progressively develop technical expertise and stimulate critical and formal awareness. Course materials include examples, illustrations, exercises, projects and assignments. Supplementary materials vary between courses but typically include logbooks and artist materials. At Level 3, course materials play a less important role as students at this stage of their studies are working independently on projects negotiated with their tutor. If you have a disability which might present a barrier to studying we can often help by adjusting the presentation of the material. To get the most out of your course, you need to work regularly over an extended period. Most courses require a minimum commitment of up to eight or ten hours a week and typically take between 12 and 15 months to complete, depending on the course. If you decide to have your work formally assessed for a degree or other qualification, then you may have to step up your hours of study to get your portfolio to a higher standard. You can also supplement your studies by taking part in the OCA workshops. These are held regularly all over the country by our tutors. Workshop fees are additional to course fees. At the end of your course you will receive a certificate of completion. If you have your work formally assessed you can achieve higher education credit points if you obtain a pass mark or above. Assessment fees are additional to course fees. 5 The personal learning log As part of the coursework on OCA programmes, all students keep a learning log. The log is an important tool in developing your creative practice and recording growing understanding of your subject. It also shows that you have covered all the ground required by the course. For degree, diploma and certificate students, the log is considered as part of the assessment process and contributes towards your final mark. The exact content of the log depends on the course. Typically it records ideas, drawings, sketches, notes, influences, discoveries, thoughts, research findings and observations as you work through your course and your assignments. For example, in art history courses the log is made up of notebooks and sketchbooks recording your reactions to individual works of art, comments on exhibitions, paintings and fine art objects, and research notes on artists, periods and movements. In creative writing, the log takes the form of a writer’s diary of notes, ideas and observations, your responses to other writers, and a reflective account of your own creative work. In art, design and photography courses, the log typically takes in sketchbooks, written commentaries on your work, a research file, your reactions to other artists, and project plans and commentaries. In composing music the log will record personal reactions to pieces of music and performances, and work in progress. While the OCA calls this important part of the course a ‘learning log’ you may also hear it referred to as a ‘learning journal’, a ‘personal learning journal’ or ‘reflective journal’. 6 The tuition system All courses are supported by one-to-one tuition. You can use post or email to send your assignments to your tutor for a written report, feedback and advice. You will be in contact with your tutor at regular intervals. For many of our courses, you can opt to see your tutor face-to-face. Your choice of tutorial method should suit your personal circumstances, but both methods are designed to give you close and detailed support. Please note that, because of the nature of the medium, sculpture students always meet their tutor face to face. Postal tuition You are allocated a tutor and receive their details in your course pack. You work from the course materials and send regular assignments to your tutor. These are returned to you with comment and advice. The course fee includes tutor feedback on your set assignments, but you can purchase feedback and comment on additional pieces of work if you wish. Face-to-face tuition You choose a tutor within travelling distance and you meet them at mutually agreeable times and dates. You are entitled to an agreed number of hours’ tuition – typically five hours. Tutors work from their own studios or other suitable teaching space. Where appropriate, and with students’ consent, small tutor groups may be formed from individual enrolments as an alternative to oneto-one tuition as a way of increasing contact time. As for postal tuition, you can also purchase additional tuition on an individual basis. You can find out where your nearest tutor is by contacting Academic Services on 0800 731 2116 or by visiting the course pages on www.ocauk.com. If you would like more information about how the OCA home study works, please contact us on 0800 731 2116 for a copy of the OCA’s Guide to Studying at Home. This is also available on our website. 7 Choosing the right course The range of the OCA courses and levels give you opportunities to progress. Courses are graded in difficulty so you can start at the level which suits you. Course levels Level 0 – equivalent to Pre-university or Foundation study Level 1 – equivalent to First year university study Level 2 – equivalent to Second year university study Level 3 – equivalent to Third year university study The level of course you choose will depend on your starting point and your reasons for studying. Some people study with us for many years just for pleasure. Others start studying for pleasure and decide later on that they would like to go for a degree and progress to higher level courses. Some students know from the beginning that they want to get a degree or other higher education qualification and choose courses which make a sound degree pathway. Sometimes students decide to go for a qualification after finishing their courses when they realise they have reached the required standard. The beauty of the OCA approach is that you do not have to decide on your end point straightaway. Complete beginners in a subject and people studying for pleasure usually start with a Foundation or Level 1 course. There are no entry requirements for these courses and you can work your way up from there. Students who come to us having developed a portfolio of work through previous study can start with a higher level course: direct entry. But if you want to start a subject above Level 1, you need to be confident about the quality of your work and it is advisable to speak to us first. If you are heading towards a degree, then you must make sure you fulfil the prerequisites for studying your subject at Levels 2 and 3 – see page 11. 8 BA Hons in Creative Arts BA Hons in Creative Arts If you know you will be studying just for pleasure, you can skip this section, but if you think you may want to get a qualification, then please read on. Nearly all our courses are accredited. This means that they carry higher education credit points and that successful study with us can lead to a Certificate or Diploma in Higher Education or to an Honours degree in Creative Arts. • a Certificate requires 120 credit points at Level 1 • a Diploma requires 120 credit points at Level 1 plus 120 points at Level 2 • a BA Hons degree requires a further 120 points at Level 3. Our Level 1 courses carry 40 credit points. Level 2 and 3 courses carry 60 points. The table below sets out how many OCA courses you need to take at each level in order to gain your chosen qualification. Qualifications, credit points and OCA courses Qualiﬁcation Certificate in Higher Education Credits required 120 points at Level 1 OCA courses 3 Level 1 courses Diploma in Higher Education 120 points at Level 1 120 points at Level 2 3 Level 1 courses 2 Level 2 courses BA Hons in Creative Arts 120 points at Level 1 120 points at Level 2 120 points at Level 3 3 Level 1 courses 2 Level 2 courses 2 Level 3 courses You can choose when to be assessed but you do not have to take formal exams. Assessment is based on examination of your course portfolio by an independent assessor. The minimum pass mark for each course is 40 per cent. 10 Planning your qualification pathway You can decide to work towards a qualification at any point in your studies, going back to fill in any gaps in your programme if you need to. You can focus on one subject area, or you can ‘pick and mix’ your subjects, but your chosen studies must make up a coherent pathway. For this reason you must fulfil the prerequisites for moving on to study a subject at Level 2 and Level 3. The prerequisites are shown below. Study level Level 1 Level 2 Prerequisites At Level 1 there are none To progress to Level 2 in any subject, you must have studied that subject at Level 1 – eg, to study Photography at Level 2, you must have studied a photography course at Level 1 Level 3 To progress to Level 3 in any subject, you must have studied that subject at Level 2 – eg, to study a Level 3 course in creative writing, you must have successfully studied creative writing at Level 2. Progression routes on page 14 sets out all our courses by level of study so you can see at a glance how you can move towards your preferred qualification. If you think you will be working towards a degree, diploma or certificate, please call us before you enrol to discuss your initial choice of courses. You can’t expect to know at this stage in which discipline you will specialise by the time you reach Level 3, but we can help make sure your Level 1 and 2 choices keep a coherent study pathway open. We are here to help you plan your pathway, so please call Academic Services on 0800 731 2116. Costs There is an assessment fee of £100 for each course which you choose to have formally assessed. The equivalent fee is discounted when you enrol on your next course. At current course prices and including your final assessment fee, you can get an Honours degree, working at your own pace, without having to attend classes and without having to take formal exams, for around £4,000. As you pay for only one course at a time, the total cost can be spread over a number of years. And you can continue working and earning while you study. 11 Credit transfer If you have already successfully completed credit-bearing courses at the appropriate level in the same or a similar subject area, you may be able to bring these credits with you to the OCA. By claiming credit for what you have already achieved, you can reduce the length of time it would otherwise take to get your qualification. Credits may also be claimed for prior learning which has not been formally assessed, provided you can demonstrate that the learning was at the required level and relevant to your chosen study path. It may also be possible to have a portfolio of your work assessed and earn credits. If you think you may qualify for the award of prior credit, please contact us and ask for an Accreditation of Prior Certified Learning (APCL) application pack or Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) pack. Through the National Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme, you may also be able to transfer your OCA credits to higher education institutions throughout the UK. Key features of the BA Hons in Creative Arts • No entry requirements • Enrol at any time • Study in your own time • Wide choice and combination of subjects • Previous studies can count towards your degree • Combine study with other work and commitments • No need to travel • No compulsory summer schools • No sit-down exams • No accommodation fees • Highly cost effective. More information about our degree Information sheets with more details of how the BA Hons in Creative Arts and other higher education qualifications work are at www.oca-uk.com Formal assessment Credit transfer Cost and payment options Degree pathways 12 Bucks New University OCA courses are accredited by one of the UK’s newest universities. The origins of Bucks New University go back to 1893 and the foundation of a County School of Science and Arts, based at High Wycombe. By 1963 this had become the High Wycombe College of Art and Technology. In 1975 the college merged with Newland Park College of Education – a former teacher training college – and became Buckinghamshire College of Higher Education. It became a university in 2..."

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