Bachelor of Fine Art

The degree was originally intended to equip graduates with the skills necessary to establish themselves as practising artists or commercial photographers. However today most students who wish to follow the former route will subsequently undertake postgraduate study in order to deepen their understanding; similarly others use the BFA as the basis for an MA by thesis in Art History. It is also an increasingly common preparation for related careers in fields such in community arts, arts administration, curation and other art delivery careers as well as areas such as illustration, 3D computer modelling and web-site design.

Career outlets are not merely confined to the above as research in the UK has demonstrated that Fine Art graduates have amongst the widest diversity of subsequent careers. One reason for this is their familiarity with lateral thinking and innovative problem solving. These make them highly suitable to an increasingly fluid employment environment, which places ever greater emphasis on such transferable skills.

Candidates are not normally admitted to the BFA unless they are in possession of a matriculation exemption certificate.

Special provision is made in the Faculty of Humanities to accommodate learners who would not normally be admitted to the curricula for the degree of BFA, or who are identified as having potential but as lacking an adequate educational background in certain key subjects. A number of special credit earning courses are offered, from which a curriculum suited to the needs of each learner admitted to the foundation programme will be drawn up by the Dean in consultation with the learner.

Candidates should be able to communicate in English.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Candidates are granted credit for equivalent prior learning and experience as determined by the University rules governing the recognition of prior learning and experience.

1. The BFA graduate is competent to apply specialist artistic knowledge and skills to the initiation, planning and production of creative visual problem solving in a specific medium or range of medium.
2. The BFA graduate has an understanding of art history as a cultural construct that is open to question and analysis with a range of critical tools and from a variety of standpoints.
3. Communicate effectively.
4. Co-operate with others to pursue the common good.
5. Demonstrate an understanding of the ever-expanding and ever-changing nature of knowledge and appreciate the need for life-long learning.

1. In order to meet this outcome BFA graduates are able to meet the following criteria

• Demonstrate a capacity for independent thinking and learning.
• Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of contemporary art making, within the context of the student's individual art practice and an appropriate area (or areas) of critical theory within which the subject of the work is located.
• Demonstrate competence in the initiation of self-directed visual investigation and the resultant physical problem solving.
• Use drawing as a visualising tool and apply it as an aid to visual problem solving.
• Demonstrate proficiency in the choice of appropriate formal aesthetic values of line, tone, colour and form to the production of completed art works.
• Demonstrate proficiency in the choice and application of fabrication/realisation skills in a chosen medium or range of media.
• Demonstrate an ability to verbally articulate their understanding of their individual creative aims and intentions.
• Demonstrate the ability to evaluate the outcome of their art making process.
• Have gained experience in a variety of generic and transferable skills, particularly creative thinking.
• Have gained experience of the applications of digital technology in a visual arts context.
• Apply integrity and sincerity to the production of art objects.
• Produce art works, which embody and reflect the culture and context of their production.

2. In order to meet this outcome BFA graduates are

• Able to demonstrate familiarity with a variety of post-modern critical positions relating to aspects of contemporary visual representation and art production, such as gender theory and post-colonialism.
• Proficient in the use of research resources such as libraries and the Internet.
• Proficient in academic essay writing and the use of appropriate referencing.
• Proficient in oral presentation of arguments and analysis.
• Aware of the complex nature of Southern African society and able to incorporate this appreciation into their analysis and solving of visual problems.
• Creative, flexible and adaptable in the creation and production of artworks.

3. In order to meet this outcome, learners will

• Use oral and written forms of language appropriately and effectively;
• Present material /construct arguments in an organised and articulate manner;
• Use appropriate technology to facilitate communication;
• Demonstrate sensitivity to the multi-cultural and multi-lingual nature of South African society.

4. In order to meet this outcome, learners will

• Work as a member of a team or group;
• Recognise and acknowledge different perspectives and values;
• Be aware that judgements have moral and ethical implications and will act accordingly where appropriate.

5. In order to meet this outcome, learners will

• Demonstrate an awareness of the limits of their own knowledge;
• Demonstrate an awareness of human fallibility;
• Search for and find relevant information;
• Demonstrate an understanding of the role of research in academic enquiry as well as an awareness of a range of research approaches and techniques;
• Be able to apply basic research techniques under guidance.

Integrated assessment appropriately incorporated to ensure that the purpose of the qualification is achieved

Assessment procedures adhere to Rhodes University Assessment Policy.

Assessment entails three elements.

1. Continual formal assessment both formative and summative
2. Continual informal assessment (formative)
3. Formal end of course assessment (summative)

The course work on which continuous assessment is based includes work done individually and in groups, and may consist of combinations of tests, essays, practical reports and seminars.