Course Structure
These course rules and specifications apply to students commencing thecourse in 2010 For students who commenced prior to 2010, the applicable course rules are those from the year of commencement. i.e. students who commenced in 2006 should refer to the 2006 Handbook.
The MVC is a 150%, three-semester course.
Typically the MVC program would be configured as a three-semester study presented as an integrated submission at the end of the course. Alternatively, the program may comprise three discrete semester projects each having its own aims, objectives and content.
Full time students undertake 3 single semester units from Professional Practices 1 (FSA750), Professional Practices 2 (FSA751), Professional Practices 3 (FSA752), Research Project (FSA753) or Professional Placement (FSA702). Each unit is weighted at 50%.
Part time students undertake 6 single semester units from FSA771, FSA772, FSA773, FSA774 FSA775, FSA776, FSA777, FSA778, FSA703 or FSA704. Each unit is weighted at 25%.
Units are studied sequentially as Professional Practices 1, and Professional Practices 2 and Professional Practices 3 (or the 25% part time alternatives). Alternatively, two Professional Practice units can be taken with a 50% Research Project unit or a 50% Professional Placement Project unit.
Research Project (FSA753), if taken, would normally be as either a semester 2 or a semester 3 option, resulting in an 8,000-word project. Research Methods and Writing in the Visual Arts (FSA502) is a unit developed to assist students develop the skills essential to successfully undertake the unit, Research Project (FSA753). Students intending to take FSA753 (part time codes FSA777/778) are required to enrol in and complete the unweighted unit - Research Methods and Writing in the Visual Arts (FSA502).
Notes:
- Students wishing to include a research component must take FSA753 (part time code FSA777/778) Research Project as one of their units, plus the unweighted unit Research Methods and Writing in the Visual Arts.
- As part of Professional Practices 1 or 2, level 300 units from the Bachelor of Fine Arts or another university degree may be taken if deemed to advantage the student_s overall proposed MVC program, but are limited to a maximum accumulated weight of 50% in total within the 150% total weighting of the Master of Visual Communication.
- For risk management purposes any proposed professional placement would need to have a series of minimum criteria addressed before approval was given. Although the specific criteria would relate to the nature of the proposed project it would include the qualifications and/or experience of the workplace supervisor, the ability and willingness of the professional workplace to support the resources required for completion of the project, written agreement on the level, expectations and payment of supervision, written clearance of any insurance or Occupational Health and Safety requirements that would be involved and written clearance of any union related or other workplace issues. The workplace supervisor is responsible for the supervision and direction of the project in the workplace, the academic supervisor monitors the placement to ensure that the content, progress and outcomes are of an appropriate standard.
