Page 2 of The Examiner

Tilda Ricci

Promote logical problem-solving as well as creative solutions. The department has been drastically reduced and all our Fine Art MAs have been discontinued. Of course there’ll be hiccups during the transition, but Gela will soon knock any corners off!

Ben Sketcher

The tutor, Gela Nathaniel. Do you know her?

Tilda Ricci

Oh yes, she’s a stalwart of Royal Hastings. She’s devised and taught our postgrad art degrees for many years.

Ben Sketcher

I asked the tech department to retrieve what they could from Doodle. I’m sending you the group’s messages so you know what they were discussing behind Gela’s back.

Tilda Ricci

I’m sure everything’s fine.

Ben Sketcher

Nonetheless, please give me a shout when you’ve read. I don’t want to sound alarmist. I may be mistaken. But I can’t help thinking something awful has happened.

Ben Sketcher

Let me clarify that. Something awful *may* have happened, and if it did, then everyone else is covering it up.

Royal Hastings, University of London Multimedia Art MA (Full-Time Programme) 2023/4

Notes for External Examiners

This course is designed to bridge the gap between creative-arts education and the workplace.

It is examined on a portfolio of coursework, both practical and written. This must include a long essay on the final project. Coursework should demonstrate a clear progression, improvement and application of learning.

For the final project students are commissioned by an industry sponsor to devise and produce a bespoke art installation, with multimedia elements, to a precise brief and budget. Students must collaborate to research and create a work that best meets the sponsor’s brief within practical limitations and the timescale given. This process is intended to emulate the roles played and the challenges faced by real-world creative professionals.

The ‘long essay’ is a separate work documenting and exploring the project from an individual point of view. Students are encouraged to be creative in their execution of the long essay, but not at the expense of a full and clear account. Given the collaborative nature of the course, this is each student’s opportunity to demonstrate their personal approach to the brief and to evaluate their experience working as part of the team. They are encouraged to identify where the project succeeded and failed, and to detail any learnings that can be taken forward into the workplace.

Students are marked firstly on the progression they make during the course as a whole. Secondly, on their problem-solving skills and approach to change within a dynamic environment. And, finally, on their understanding of and adaptation to the opportunities and limitations of teamwork.

Royal Hastings, University of London New student info: Using Doodle

Doodle is the intranet and messaging system used by Royal Hastings’ students and staff. All new students must register in the week before their course starts. You will need your email address, mobile-phone number and unique Student Reference Code to set up a Doodle profile. You are welcome to get Doodling with your coursemates as soon as you register on the site. Doodle keeps all digital communications within the remit of the college and protects all parties in the event of a dispute. If necessary, admin staff will help you set up your free account via the Doodle app on your phone and laptop or desktop computer.

Doodle may be used for the following:

Message boards:

There is a main message board for your course and year. All students and staff may post or start new threads at any time. Check Doodle every day to see notices and discussion topics from your tutor, admin staff or fellow students.

Private messages and emails:

Contact staff and students directly or set up private chat groups.

Diary:

The diary and calendar function helps you manage your coursework deadlines. In addition, you may keep a private record of your thoughts each day. Many students find this helps with their mental health, as it is a record of how you feel over a period of time. Each diary entry may only be amended on the day. After midnight, the previous day’s entry is locked and cannot be altered.