IF0AD1: Arts and Design Practices 1

Module code: IF0AD1

Module provider: Global Academy

Credits: 20

ECTS credits: 10

Level: F

When you’ll be taught: Semester 1

Module convenor: Ms Tina Jenkins, email: t.jenkins@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s): IN THE SAME YEAR AS TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST TAKE IF0AD2 (Compulsory)

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2026/7

Available to visiting students: No

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 25 March 2026

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module introduces you to a range of skills, methods and techniques necessary for developing a practical approach to Art and Architecture.  

You will be introduced to Art and Architecture through a framework that centres around a series of practical projects informing the development of a digital portfolio. This framework will assist you in developing and expanding the skills required to pursue further undergraduate study. 

On this module you will learn how to creatively develop new ideas, problem solve, visually analyse and reflect critically on your own practice.  

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to: 

1. Generate their own ideas that enables them to develop new experimental methods of making work 
2. Improve observation and imagination through the development of reflective critical skills 
3. Demonstrate an ability to present and discuss work confidently, concisely and clearly. 
4. Create an assessable portfolio that demonstrates engagement with module content. 

Module content

Students will be introduced to Art and Architecture through lectures, seminars, practical projects and assisted workshops. They will extend their own experience and skillsets working with a range of materials and media, while being encouraged to develop their own individual style or language.  

An expanded drawing practice will underpin the course content. Students will develop their drawing practice and use it to inform their individual approaches to artworks and architectural model making. 

Their practical work will progress through a sustained studio practice, independent development, technical assistance and individual and group feedback.   

This module is assessed through studio practice, a completed portfolio and a reflective journal of visual analysis. 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

Students will attend two timetabled weekly studio teaching sessions per week. Blackboard provides resources, written descriptions and weekly instructions for each studio/teaching session as well as providing instruction on what to prepare and or research prior to each session.  

Students are supported through individual practical sessions that consist of short contextual lectures, guided practical projects and assisted workshops. 

Students will be shown how to develop, experiment with, and expand on their existing practical skillset, as well as developing new methods that will help extend their vocabulary of visual communication.  

Supported analysis of all practical work is undertaken each week to enable critical reflection that should be taken as an opportunity to improve and develop. 

An informal group presentation of studio projects and drawings, as a formative assessment, leads onto an authentic summative assessment consisting of a submission of 2 completed studio works, 4 completed drawings, visual analysis in the form of reflective writing, and a completed digital portfolio. 

Study hours

At least 66 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment indicated in your Individual Learning Plan): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each calendar day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three calendar days;
• where the piece of work is submitted up to three calendar days after the original deadline (or a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment indicated in you Individual Learning Plan), the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three calendar days after the original deadline (or a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment indicated in your Individual Learning Plan), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three calendar days after the original deadline (or a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment indicated in your Individual Learning Plan): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three calendar days of the deadline (or a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment indicated in your Individual Learning Plan): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three calendar days after the original deadline (or a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment indicated in your Individual Learning Plan): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

Where a piece of work is submitted late after a deadline which has been revised owing to an extension granted through the Assessment Adjustments policy and process (self-certified or otherwise), it will be subject to the maximum penalty (i.e., considered to be more than three calendar days late). This will also apply when such an extension is used in conjunction with a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Formative assessment will consist of an informal mid-semester group presentation where students will present 1 completed studio project supported by at least 2 completed drawings. 

Reassessment

Additional costs