Learning and Teaching Strategy update 2008
Faculty of Arts
Interim Associate Dean (Learning & Teaching): Dr Thomas Munck
(T.Munck@history.arts.gla.ac.uk)
Title of case study: Work Placement Course: Taught M.Litt programmes in the History
of Art
Keywords: employability, student mobility, skills development, work-related learning
Description
This is a course option available to postgraduate students on the History of Collecting and Collections;
Decorative Arts & Design History and Art Politics and Transgression: Twentieth-Century AvantGardes. Available in Semester 2, it demands a total of 20 days commitment at the host institution
and 60-80 hours private study time in research and writing up. The purpose of the course is to provide
valuable work experience in an auction house, museum, archive, or other cultural institution, where
students can explore a possible future career, while meeting professional practitioners and developing
practical skills and experience. Students are introduced to archival or curatorial practice and engage in
project-based work. The scope of projects and expected outcomes are developed in discussion
between the host institution, the student and the course convener. A work placement may be linked to
the development of a dissertation topic.
Aims:
 to provide high quality project-based work experience in a particular subject area within an artsrelated organisation;
 to promote the acquisition of specialist, conceptual and transferable skills;
 to provide an opportunity to put into practice some of the knowledge and skills gained during the
programme;
 to develop skills that may be an advantage in preparing for a wide range of employment, for
instance time management, independent learning and problem solving, project evaluation.
Intended Learning Outcomes: by the end of the course, students will be able to:
 Apply relevant knowledge gained during the first semester of the programme to the practical
aspects of the work of the placement organisation;
 demonstrate knowledge of the project field and the ability to analyse the material;
 evaluate the key aims, strategies and professional practices of the placement organisation;
 show ability to work effectively as an individual and as a team member, listening and responding
perceptively to others;
 organise and evaluate acquired knowledge and skills;
 present in clear written form a project report, work diary and poster preparation in a particular
subject area.
Teaching Methods: Recruitment and Selection is carried out by means of a CV and a 3-400 word
statement saying why the student is interested in the placement chosen. Where appropriate,
interviews are held as part of the recruitment process.
Day-to-day supervision during the period of placement is undertaken by the staff of the organisation,
and involves on-site meetings with the course convener. Meetings are scheduled for the beginning,
middle and end of placements.
Assessment: The MLitt as a whole encourages the development of varied research and presentation
skills, and this course is assessed on the basis of:
 a portfolio of 3-4,000 words which will relate to work undertaken during the period of
placement (75% of assessment)
 a poster presentation (25% of assessment)
The two parts of the assessment are seen as stand-alone. Guidance is given on the development and
format of portfolios and poster presentations.
Conclusion
Run over a number of years now, the Work Placement has proved of great value to both the student
and the host institution. In some cases, projects have been developed to form the basis of the
dissertation element and there has been a level of continuity between the student and the host beyond
the placement period. The course has also had a direct benefit to students seeking work in these
institutions after graduation.