DFP, SND, WEB and DTV

PROJECT BRIEF

Theory and Context Credit Value

Project Title 100% of 15 Credits
and Weighting
Unit Title Theory and Context Unit Code C101
Level/Term Level 1; Term 3 Date of Issue Wed 13 April 2016
Formative Assessment (Flipped Classroom): Wed 11 May 2016
Individual Presentation (5 min max) to a small group of students in class,
with Peer Assessment and feedback forum.
Summative Assessment: Friday 3 June 2016 before 4.00pm
Submission
Researched Text (1000-1500 words) to be uploaded as one PDF file on
Date
Moodle. Only PDF files will be accepted. You can use this upload link:
http://learn.rave.ac.uk/moodle/mod/assign/view.php?id=84688
Students must refer to their course timetable (via Moodle) for all learning
and teaching activities.
Unit Leader Sara Andersdotter and Liz McQuiston (CS@rave.ac.uk)
Project Leader Mark James (PL), Adam Walton (PL), Boryana Ivanova, Alberto Villanueva,
and Other Staff Anna Barisani, Debra Zuckerman and Richard Manning

This unit provides an introduction to the critical theories and historical

analyses of design and communication media in the 20th and 21st centuries.

It shows how design and communication media influence, or are influenced

by, the thinking and events of a particular time and place, located within a
wider context of historical change and evolution. The unit explores issues of
social, cultural and historical context, and local and global perspectives. It
examines the role of ethics in the day-to-day understanding and practice of
creative disciplines.

Theory and Context consists of a series of lectures/seminars dealing with

theoretical, historical and social perspectives, and encompassing course
specialisms. It is delivered to clusters of related courses, with the intention
Project Brief of underlining specific shared elements and breaking through boundaries.

Link to the Theory and Context Moodle page:

http://learn.rave.ac.uk/moodle/course/view.php?id=3898

Summative Assessment
Submission of an individual researched text (1000-1500 words) showing
analysis/critique of a design, artefact or media text (or a group of designs,
artefacts or media texts) within a theoretical and historical context, with
referencing and a bibliography evidencing a variety of sources.

All research sources (books, films etc) used in the writing of the text
must be credited within the text where appropriate using Harvard
referencing system, and again in the bibliography using the
appropriate style.

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• Demonstrate a comprehension of design and communication media

as constructs in a global context of cultural and historical
developments.

• Demonstrate basic application of ethical issues in your

interpretations and analyse the meanings and values of design and
communication media.
Learning
Outcomes
• Show your application of the skills of observation, description and
and marking
analysis of artefacts in a wider context of theory and history of design
criteria
and communication media.

• Apply basic research skills and present your findings to a

recognisable academic standard (with referencing).

• Effectively employ information technologies in support of research

and for delivery of a written text to a deadline.

Assessable Elements Percentage of Project Grade

Researched text 100%
(1000-1500 words)

Formative Assessment (Flipped Classroom): Wed 11 May 2016

Individual Presentation (5 min max) to a small group of students in class,
with Peer Assessment and feedback forum.

Summative Assessment Deadline: Friday 3 June 2016 before 4.00pm,

upload to Moodle (using the link below):
http://learn.rave.ac.uk/moodle/mod/assign/view.php?id=84688
Assessable
o an individual researched text (1000-1500 words) showing
Elements and
analysis/critique of a design, artefact or media text (or group of
Submission
designs, artefacts or media texts) within a historical and theoretical
Requirements
context,
o it must have a bibliography evidencing a variety of sources,
o all research sources (books, films etc) used in the writing of the text
must be credited within the text where appropriate using Harvard
referencing system and again in the bibliography using the
appropriate style
o it must be uploaded as one PDF file on Moodle (see the ‘Theory and
Context’ Moodle page). Only PDF files will be accepted.

Upload to Moodle Fri 3 June 2016 before 4.00pm via this link:
http://learn.rave.ac.uk/moodle/mod/assign/view.php?id=84688
Following assessment, students will receive written feedback and a grade.
General reading list:

Crow, David. (2010) Visible Signs: An Introduction to Semiotics in the

Visual Arts, AVA Publishing.
Reading List
Gauntlett, David (2008) Media, Gender and Identity: An Introduction, 2nd
ed, Oxon: Routledge

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Gladwell, Malcolm. (2013) The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make
A Big Difference, Abacus.

Hall, Sean (2012) This Means That: A User’s Guide to Semiotics, Laurence
King Publishing Ltd

Johnson, Steven. (2011) Where Good Ideas Come From: The Seven
Patterns of Innovation, Penguin Books.

Mirzoeff, Nicholas (2002) The Visual Culture Reader, London: Routledge

Mosco, Vincent. (2005) The Digital Sublime: Myth, Power and Cyberspace,
The MIT Press.

Williams, Kate (2009) Getting Critical (Pocket Study Skills), Palgrave

Macmillan

Further learning material and course specific reading lists are available
on the Contextual Studies Home page:
http://learn.rave.ac.uk/moodle/course/view.php?id=3864

Students who fail this project, or parts thereof, may be required to complete
a retrieval project which demonstrates that they have achieved the learning
outcomes. Please note attempts at retrievals may be limited.
Re-Submission
Students should be aware that retrievals are capped at a bare pass grade
Requirements
(D-) unless the extenuating circumstances panel uphold an evidenced
application.

The deadline for retrieval will be determined at an Assessment Board.

Extenuating Circumstances
If you have any other unforeseen and serious difficulties during this unit you
may apply for extenuating circumstances. Full details on extenuating
circumstances can be found here:
http://www.arts.ac.uk/study-at-ual/academic-regulations/course-
regulations/6-extenuating-circumstances/

Study Skills & Learning Support

Advice and guidance on the skills required to complete your assignments
i.e. time planning & prioritising to meet deadlines, planning & structuring
your writing, correct referencing & bibliographies and writing 'academically'
is available through the Study Skills Team in Student Services. For details
visit: https://intranet.rave.ac.uk/display/studentinfo/Study+Skills

1-1 academic writing tutorials are also available and can be booked online
at: http://www.meetme.so/writing

Alternative assessment arrangements may be made or additional learning

support arranged for students with disabilities or medical conditions which
may impair their performance in meeting the above requirements and who
have registered in advance with Student Services. This must be discussed
and agreed in advance with the Course Leader and will be reported to the
Board of Examiners.
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Referencing
All reading list references must be written in the Ravensbourne Harvard
style of referencing. The full guide can be accessed at:
https://d3367e810f20b0fa69d69a9f0e1474d908c60666.googledrive.com/ho
st/0B845G5BoLdgiLWdPNHExS3VINTQ/index.html

Academic misconduct
Academic misconduct includes cheating, collusion, plagiarism, or any other
attempt to gain unfair advantage. Ravensbourne treats academic
misconduct extremely seriously and the penalty for candidates found guilty
of misconduct or deception may result in permanent exclusion.

Communication, Timetabling and Course Information

For project updates you are required to regularly check your emails, your
Celcat timetable and unit specific content in Moodle. You should also
continue to refer back to your Course Handbook, which contains
information on your course structure and will put this project brief in context:
(http://intranet.rave.ac.uk/quality/CourseHandbooks.htm).

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TIMETABLE
Theory and Context: Historical Perspectives on Cultures of Creativity Term 3, 2015-16

Tutors: Adam Walton, Alberto Villanueva, Richard Manning and Debra Zuckerman

10.00 am – 1 pm: the Walker Space (DFP, SND & WEB)

2 pm – 5 pm: 702 (DTV)

Week Day/time Lectures, tutorials and assessment points

Theme 1: Early 20th Century Europe (Part 1)

1 Wed 13 April Decades of Cultural & Socio-Political Change

Rooms: AM session:
702 or
Walker Introduction: the Theory and Context unit and the brief
Space (see An outline of the unit, its relevance to the courses, and how it forms the start
above for of the development of research and analytical skills needed for the
details) Dissertation.

Presentation & discussion: Creative Arts Movements (Art Nouveau,

Constructivism, Futurism & Surrealism)
An introduction to art and design movements of the early part of the 20th
Century

Presentation: The Cinema Pioneers

An introduction into early cinematic innovations and their impact.

Film screening: Man with a Movie Camera (1929)

Group discussion: Asking Questions and Formulating Ideas

PM session:

Introduction: the Theory and Context unit and the brief

An outline of the unit, its relevance to the courses, and how it forms the start
of the development of research and analytical skills needed for the
Dissertation.

Presentation & discussion: Creative Arts Movements (Art Nouveau,

Constructivism, Futurism & Surrealism)
An introduction to art and design movements of the early part of the 20th
Century

Presentation: Early 20th Century Broadcasting

An introduction to Broadcasting and its history.

Film screening: Man with a Movie Camera (1929)

Group discussion: Asking Questions and Formulating Ideas

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2 Wed 20 April Theme 2: Early 20th Century Europe (Part 2)

Decades of Cultural & Socio-Political Change
Rooms:
702 or AM session:
Walker
Space (see Presentation and discussion: Bauhaus to Le Corbusier
above for The impact of the Bauhaus on creative practices
details)
Presentation: Photography between the Wars - New Directions
An introduction to how new developments in photography in the 20th
Century in came to influence a range of practices, from film to advertising,
to fashion and war photography.

Presentation: Introduction to Semiotics

An introduction to how audiences may ‘read’ and interpret images, sound
and other media

Presentation: Broadcasting Propaganda

Group work: analysing propaganda

Group discussion: Visual Analysis, Reading Images, Metaphors &

Representations

Group activity: Semiotics

PM session:

Presentation and discussion: Bauhaus to Le Corbusier

The impact of the Bauhaus on creative practices

Presentation: Introduction to Semiotics

An introduction to how audiences may ‘read’ and interpret images, sound
and other media

Presentation: Broadcasting Propaganda

Group work: analysing propaganda

Group discussion: Visual Analysis, Reading Images, Metaphors &

Representations

Group activity: Semiotics

3 Wed 27 April Theme 3: Post-War Regeneration

Rooms: AM session:

Rooms: Presentation & discussion: From Dieter Rams at Braun to Jonathan

702 or Ive at Apple (AM)
Walker Tracing design development through the 20th Century from Modernism to
Space (see Minimalism
above for
details)

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Presentation & discussion: Technology & Inventions (AM)

An overview of the impact of technology developed over the past six
decades.

Discussions on: LED, VR, lasers, holograms, media, the Internet, Marshall
McLuhan, Internet and Counterculture
Workshop: Introduction to the Harvard system of Referencing

Individual task: Harvard Referencing

PM session:

Presentation and discussion: What does the design of the iPhone in

your hand owe to previous generations of designers and
technologists? (PM session)

Presentation & discussion: Technology & Inventions (PM)

An overview of the impact of technology developed over the past six
decades.

Discussions on: LED, VR, lasers, holograms, media, the Internet, Marshall
McLuhan, Internet and Counterculture

Workshop: Introduction to the Harvard system of Referencing

Individual task: Harvard Referencing

4 Wed 4 May Theme 4: Social Revolutions – the 1960s to the end of the 20th
Century
Rooms:
AM session:
Rooms:
702 or Presentation & discussion: Apartheid
Walker An introduction and outline of Apartheid (explored through cinema)
Space (see
above for Presentation: Gay Rights
details) A discussion on progressive representation, focussing specifically on how
the representation of the LGBTI community.

Presentation: Liberation Songs

An introduction to liberation songs (from Woodie Guthrie to Tracy
Chapman)

Workshop: Where does your attention go?

This workshop focuses on how time and attention can be managed and
mapped out through activities of thinking, researching, organising,
making/creating and wellbeing

PM session:

Presentation & discussion: Apartheid

An introduction and outline of Apartheid (explored through cinema)

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Presentation: Gay Rights

A discussion on progressive representation, focussing specifically on how
the representation of the LGBTI community.

Presentation: Liberation Songs

An introduction to liberation songs (from Woodie Guthrie to Tracy
Chapman)

Individual activity: Research essay question for Formative

Assessment presentation

5 Wed 11 May Formative Assessment:

Rooms: Student presentations & Peer Assessment with Feedback Forum

Individual Presentation (5 min max) to a small group of students.
Rooms:
702 or Presentations should cover: chosen essay question, research strategy
Walker and an example that illustrates the intent of the essay (e.g. a product,
Space (see performance, image, event, ad, building, TV show, scene from a film, or
above for similar). The essay question & presentation should be uploaded to a Peer
details) Assessment forum on the Moodle page. After each presentation, the
group should provide 5 min feedback for that presentation via the forum.

Wed 18 May Theme 5: Fantasy and Fantastical Worlds

6
Rooms: AM session:
702 or
Walker Presentation: Science Fiction Film - Georges Méliès to Nick Park
Space (see An introduction to the genre of Sci-fi, its forms of representation and
above for technological methods
details)
Presentation: Space Architecture - Fantasy & Reality
As a continuation of the introduction to science fiction, this presentation will
focus on relationships between architecture and cinema

Presentation: Transhumanism & Beyond

A discussion on technology and its ability to give a voice to the voiceless

Presentation: Film Titles – Strange Worlds

An introduction to 20th Century film title sequence design

PM session:

Presentation: Science Fiction Film - Georges Méliès to Nick Park

An introduction to the genre of Sci-fi, its forms of representation and
technological methods

Presentation: Space Architecture - Fantasy & Reality

As a continuation of the introduction to science fiction, this presentation will
focus on relationships between architecture and cinema

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Presentation: Transhumanism & Beyond

A discussion on technology and its ability to give a voice to the voiceless

Group work: discussion on essay questions and essay writing

Wed 25 May Theme 6: The Question of ‘The Other’ – identity, subcultures, gender
7
Rooms:
702 or Presentation: Virtual Reality & Identity
Walker
Space (see Presentation: Changing Perceptions of Race & Religion
above for Attitudes towards the veil and representations of Difference in creative
details) practice

Presentation: Refugees in the Media

A discussion on refugee situations, from WWII evacuees to the Syrian
exodus, and how the media shames the reaction towards mass-movements
of people

Group debate: Refugee Debate

Peer group review/discussion: research methods

8 Wed 1 June Theme 7: 21st Century Revolutions

Rooms: AM session:
702 or
Walker Presentation: The Network Society & Open Government
Space (see An overview of creativity through data, and how to hold politicians to
above for account
details)
Presentation: Anti Technology (Neo Luddites)
An introduction to anti-technology movements

Presentation: Reflections on Social Media

A discussion on perceptions on Social media and their ability to reflect
reality

Presentation and group discussion: Internet Culture - A Manifesto &

Critique
A critical review of Internet culture

Review: the Harvard system of Referencing

PM session:

Presentation: The Network Society & Open Government

An overview of creativity through data, and how to hold politicians to
account

Presentation: Anti Technology (Neo Luddites)

An introduction to anti-technology movements

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Presentation: Reflections on Social Media

A discussion on perceptions on Social media and their ability to reflect
reality

Review: the Harvard system of Referencing

Independent activity: assignment work and discussion on progress

9 Fri 3 June Summative Assessment – deadline Friday 3 June 2016, before 4.00pm
DEADLINE
(NO CLASS) Upload your Individual Researched Text (1000-1500 words) as one PDF file
onto Moodle using this upload link:

http://learn.rave.ac.uk/moodle/mod/assign/view.php?id=84688

Your file must be a PDF – no other file will be accepted.

Contextual Studies April 2016