Assignment Details

Name of School SOAS

Course Title Critical Studies

Module No & Title IA20004, IA25608, IA20071, IA20073

Tutor Paul Grace

Assignment Number 2

Assignment Title Essay

Weighting 15 credits Due Date 20/03/2018

Word Count/Equivalent 3000 words

Learning Outcomes assessed in this assignment

Students should:
Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of the role, impact and meaning of forms of visual
culture from the 1960s to the present day.
Relate this knowledge to the prevailing social and political context.
Show an ability to research and critically analyse relevant writings and artworks.
Identify meaningful connections between theoretical ideas and cultural practice.

You must meet all of these outcomes to achieve a pass grade in this assignment. To see how your final grade has been determined
please see the guidance on marking criteria.

Task(s)

Critically discuss the work of two artists, designers or photographers of your own choice from 1960 to
the present, whose work is connected by a common theme, approach or concern with an idea or issue.
How does this work relate to the social world of the time it was made, and how is it relevant to
contemporary experience? Support your argument with reference to one or two specific works by
each practitioner, and texts by or about the artists. You may prefer to choose practitioners working in
your own discipline.
You may draw on the material covered in Critical Studies lectures and seminars, but ensure that your
essay is informed by wider reading about the era, the art and design tendencies that emerged in the
era and the ideas and aims of the practitioners you choose.
Assignment Details

Assessment Criteria

The following criteria will be taken into account:

a. Does the essay have a clear structure? That is, does it gave an introduction which specifies who you
are writing about and sets out the main argument; the main body of the essay which develops the
points logically; and a conclusion which summarises your argument and reflects on its significance

b. Does the essay show an understanding of the subject matter with an adequate level of critical
engagement? Is it well argued with evidence rather than just description or personal opinion?

c. Is the essay clearly written with correct grammar and spelling? Is it professionally presented in an
easily readable font (minimum size 12), 1.5 line spacing and suitable margins? Are all quotations clearly
referenced using the UCBC approved Harvard system ? Are all artworks clearly labelled with title, artist
and date? Is the bibliography included? See http://moodle2.blackburn.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=4527
for clear guidelines on referencing and academic writing conventions if you are not sure.