Books:
Barthes, R. (1994). Camera Lucida : Reflections on Photography . 15th ed. New York: Hill and Wang.
Betts, R.F. (2004). A History of Popular Culture. Oxford: Routledge.
Dempsey, A. (2010). Styles, Schools and Movements: The Essential Encyclopaedic Guide to Modern Art. 2nd ed. London: Thames and Hudson.
Harrison, C. & Wood P. eds., (2002). Art in Theory 1900-2000: An Anthology of Changing Ideas . 2nd ed. Oxford: Wiley Blackwell.
Jaeger, A.C. (2010). Image Makers Image Takers . 2nd ed. London: Thames & Hudson.
La Grange, A. (2005). Basic Critical Theory for Photographers . Waltham, Massachussetts: Focal Press.
Perry, G. ed., (2004). Difference and Excess in Contemporary Art: The Visibility of Women's Practice. Oxford: Wiley Blackwell.
Wells, L.(2009). Photography a Critical Introduction . London: Routledge.

Journals:
Aesthetica Magazine
Artforum Magazine
British Journal of Photography
Frieze Magazine
Portfolio - Contemporary Photography in Britain
Tate Magazine

Websites:
http://masters-of-photography.com/
http://www.aber.ac.uk/media/Documents/S4B/ (Semiotics for Beginners)
www.tate.org.uk
http://www.vam.ac.uk/
http://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/

Students must submit work for all assessments

Assessment One:
The Reflective Learning Journal, illustrated and containing key design milestones of the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries, with reference to social, political and art historical context, and including influential examples relating to own discipline (40%) [Learning Outcomes 2, 3)

Assessment Two:
An illustrated case study of a regional designer/design style/genre in relation to the intended target audience and own specialism, including 1,000 word report (50%) [Learning Outcomes 1, 4]

Assessment Three:
Actively engage with discussions and workshops (10%) [Learning Outcome 4]

Students will be able to explore the artistic, social and political influences on design over a significant period, in order to evaluate reasons for current design trends in their specialist area. Students will gain an understanding of the impact of context on design and use this understanding to inform their own work in relation to the cultural inheritance of the local audience. Diverse methods of communication will be utilised to express and justify their own design decisions. They will develop research and study skills to enable them to work effectively.

The Reflective Learning Journal is a key element of the Foundation degree, and students will be supported in the development of evaluative and analytical skills through their exploration of ideas and influences in their Journal.

Introductory briefing at onset of module: 1 hr
Series of lectures, visits and seminars relating to design history and design context 35 hrs
Workshops developing journal content with studio tutorials 15 hrs
Group tutorials and critiques with formative feedback: 4 hrs
Individual tutorials: 1hr

Total contact time: 56 hrs per student

All colleges offer students access to library and computer resources, with traditional and new research facilities.