The Professional Practice module aims to develop your abilities around research, reflection/presentation and analysis, as well as introducing you to the skills required for effective writing.
You are required to:
Employ research methods, utilising historical and contextual analysis of professional practice within areas of comic arts.
Carry out independent research to gain professional knowledge into a chosen topic, to assist you in considering future employability in the cartoon and comic art industries.
Explore the role of the creative arts, in reflecting and influencing cultural and societal concerns.
Demonstrate the ability to provide an academic verbal, and written argument.
Contribute to discussions and presentations on the business of cartoon and comic arts, forming an objective viewpoint.
Support your thoughts and opinions with facts and reasoning gained from your research endeavours, following approved academic methods.
You may consider cartooning professionals, debating the theoretical and societal commentary within their work.

The document must include:
A bibliography using the Harvard system of referencing (Knowledge and Understanding)
Relevant and appropriate images (Communication)
A numbered list of images presented in the Harvard format (Application)
A standard essay or report structure (Communication, Application)

The PowerPoint Presentation must include:
An introduction to your chosen subject and a justification (Enquiry)
A selection of key academic sources utilised within the essay/report (Knowledge and Understanding)
Relevant and appropriate images, discussed in the slides (Application, Analysis)
A bullet point overview of your discussion points and analysis (Analysis, Communication, Problem solving)
A summary (Reflection)

Lectures: for the delivery of knowledge, theory, visual and historical background
Seminars/workshops/presentations: for the development of key conceptual and communications skills
Individual tutorials: for guidance with the assignment
Independent learning: to develop individual student research and information gathering techniques

RESOURCES
University Library
Internet access
Design archive
The Blackboard virtual learning environment will be available to support this module.

Bensom, T, S. (2007) The Cartoon Century; Modern Britain through the Eyes of its Cartoonists.
London: Random House
Bryant, M. (1989 1st Published; Republished 2005) World War 2 in Cartoons. London: Bounty Books Gravett, P, & Stanbury, P. (2006) Great British Comics. Celebrating a Century of Ripping Yarns and Wizard Wheezes. London: Aurum
Mankoff, R. (2004) The Complete Cartoons of The New Yorker. New York: Black Dog & Leventhal McQuiston, L. (1993) graphic Agitation. Social and Political graphics since the Sixties. New York: Phaidon Riches, A. (2009) When the Comics Went to War. Edinburgh: Mainstream Publishing
Sabin, R. (2003) Comics, Comix & Graphic Novels. A History of Comic Arts. New York: Phaidon
Walker, B. (2004) Comics Before 1945. New York: Harry N. Abrams
Walker, B. (2002) Comics Since 1945. New York: Harry N. Abrams

Recommended: You will be expected to take advantage of the extensive library facilities available within the University, keeping abreast of current developments through appropriate periodicals and being aware of the work of major practitioners in your subject.

REPORT/ESSAY [Learning Outcomes 1-3]
Your work will be clear and lucid. It will show evidence of substantiated independent thought and an awareness of different methodological approaches and theoretical applications.

The Professional Practice module enables you to carry out independent research, to gain professional knowledge into a chosen topic, to assist you in considering your future employability in the cartoon and comic art industries.
The module aims to develop your abilities around research, reflection/presentation and analysis, as well as introducing you to the skills required for effective writing