Tag: Assessment

Critique

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Critique

This course has been challenging. Whilst I am happy with how my work has turned out, it hasn’t always been plane sailing.  

I have found that I have issues with spelling and grammar. I have been trying to work on this. I proofread my assignments and get some else to read through it but I still miss some errors. I use spell check but some have slipped through. I am not the best speller but this course has highlighted to me the work to be done. I believe I have improved over time and hopefully I can continue to improve. 

One early problem with my extended project was that even though the topic was quite narrow, I hadn’t fully explain what I was going to cover. My methodology was all over the place and needed fine tuning, the same with my aim. This did take a few reworks but over time, and with more research I have narrowed down my topic. It would have been easier if I would have done this earlier but unfortunately I did not and it is something I should have done. 

Another problem I had was fully utilizing quotes. I found some good quotes, but failed to engage them. I needed to introduce the quote; it’s context and then weave it into my argument. This did take me awhile and after practice I believe I have managed this. 

I struggle with critical analysis, I always have. But I do believe I have improved. I just find it hard to write down exactly what I want to say, so it can come across that I am not analysing the resources fully. 

Has my work turned out as I originally envisaged at the start? No. But I believe that’s a good thing. I have developed and so has my work. My work has evolved over time. I have cut out pieces that I needed to and added other pieces. For example I decided to cut out my section on Catherine Opie’s work, as it didn’t fit my narrative anymore. But I have developed a section on Phallogocentrism, which does have a place in my work. Originally I did not think of including a section on pedagogy, however over time it makes sense and has become a key part of my work. 

I had some health issues myself and also with a close family member being diagnosed with Motor Neuron and subsequently dying during this course. These events did push me back and have effected me; I have carried on throughout this course. I have had set backs but I have always pushed forward and now at the end I have created a balanced extended project due to constant development, reworking and research.

Assessment Evaluation

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Word Count: 704

Evaluation

I have always been interested in landscape photography. My earliest memories of photography are photographing the local landscapes with my family. It has never occurred to me that it is a male dominated area, but when I was researching for another course I found that there is an overwhelming amount of male photographers. I decided to research the gender inequality in landscape photography for my Contextual Studies and my Body of Work course. Both courses compliment each other, but are separate. I feel my work highlights the inequality and exclusion of women in religion, landscape photography, in the arts and in a global sense too. 

I chose to concentrate on the gender inequality in landscape photography for my written project. It is quite a niche topic, but I have found research from other topics has helped in my work.

My second assignment was a literature review. My research I had already done became invaluable here, as I could see the most relevant texts in my topic. My first draft of this assignment, was mainly bringing the ideas together and highlighting the main theories, rather than reviewing several key texts. My rework, after feedback, has remedied this, I have chosen a few key text and have reviewed and analysed them. 

My third assignment was a plan of my written project. My plan explained what direction I would like to take. I spilt my work up into three sections, for the main three chapters. My first chapter would look at how the inequality arose and has spread throughout society. My next chapter looks at the male gaze and how this has affected landscape photography. My last chapter would look at ways in which the inequality can be tackled. My tutor wasn’t sure about my chapters, as they were vague. I decided to look again at what I wanted to cover and rework into workable chapters. I was about to narrow down each chapter to a specific area to look in depth into. 

This then led me to my fourth assignment, which was my first draft. I wrote my work based on my plan. Following feedback there was a lot of work to do. The rework comprised of my fifth assignments, which again following feedback needed work. I decided not to submit for the November assessment and work on producing the best possible work. I feel I have now done this. I have reworked and redrafted several times to improve it and I believe I have now reached the point of being happy with the work I have produced.  

I have had several issues along the course. One stemmed from the fact that I hadn’t narrowed down my thesis. It was quite open. I found overtime this evolved and with my research I could narrow it down but it did take me time. I also had issues explaining things in my essay, I couldn’t find the right words and had to re-work it several times to get it right. I believe that I have taken on board my tutor’s feedback and have taken note and improved my work as a result. There have been aspects I was not happy with so have changed as well. 

I felt that I have done a lot more research in this course than any other. I feel my research has been extensive which has helped my massively. I have not only researched my topic in detail but also took a wider stance. My topic is quite niche, so looking at a wider stance and related theories has helped. It allowed me to look at it from different angles, which I believe has helped me greatly.  

I have taken on board the feedback I have received and have re-worked and improved my essay along the way. I have reflected on each assignment and how I can improve on it. After extensive work, personal challenges and the effects of COVID-19, I have reached a place where I am happy with how my extended project. I feel my research skills have developed significantly and my personal voice has improved throughout. Whilst challenging I have enjoyed this course, it has also opened my eyes to the inequality women face in the arts and in society. 

Learning Log Learning Outcomes

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This has been the most difficult part of preparing for assessment for me. I looked over the learning outcomes several times, as was non the wiser. They just did not make much sense to me. I did email student services but have not had a reply, probably due to the ongoing pandemic. I decided to take it step by step and figure out what each learning outcomes was asking for. I then looked through my learning log and tried to match them up. I believe I have do so but I hope I have provided suitable links to the appropriate learning outcomes. 

Here is a link to my word document, and below is it written out:

Learning Outcomes – STEWART – 515211 – CSDownload

I have used the OCA Course guide for assessment of Photography units (March 2021 version) to help me prepare this document.  

Learning Log Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcome 1

undertaken research and study demonstrating comprehensive knowledge of your area of specialism and built a theoretical framework for your creative practice.  

I have undertaken extensive research to support my learning and development. I have compiled a large amount of research for my work to help build a theoretical framework and my extended project.  

https://georginascontextualstudies.photo.blog/2019/08/13/assignment-one-research/

https://georginascontextualstudies.photo.blog/2019/09/03/gaze/

https://georginascontextualstudies.photo.blog/2020/10/23/mulvey-l-2007-visual-pleasure-and-narrative-cinema-in-evans-j-and-s-hall-ed-visual-culture-a-reader-uk-sage-publications-ltd-pp-381-389/

Learning Outcome 2

synthesised and articulated your critical, contextual and conceptual knowledge and understanding into a coherent critique of advanced academic standard.  

I have developed my critical, contextual and conceptual knowledge throughout this course. I believe I have improved my critical analysis.

https://georginascontextualstudies.photo.blog/2019/10/28/warner-m-1976-alone-of-all-her-sex-the-myth-and-the-cult-of-the-virgin-mary-oxford-oxford-university-press/

https://georginascontextualstudies.photo.blog/2019/05/31/part-one-visual-culture-in-practice/

https://georginascontextualstudies.photo.blog/2020/10/23/nochlin-l-1973-why-have-there-been-no-great-women-artists-in-hess-t-b-e-c-baker-ed-art-and-sexual-politics-uk-macmillan-pp-1-39/

Learning Outcome 3

applied your own criteria of judgement, reviewed, criticised and taken responsibility for your own work with minimum guidance.

I have critiqued my own work as I have developed. I have taken note of areas where I need to improve on and have taken it upon my self to improve these points. 

https://georginascontextualstudies.photo.blog/2020/02/13/preparation-and-commentary/

https://georginascontextualstudies.photo.blog/2019/11/01/reflective-commentary/

https://georginascontextualstudies.photo.blog/2021/01/30/critique/

Learning Outcome 4

selected and applied information management skills and used appropriate technology in the production of an accomplished critique with minimal supervision.  

I have used my skill in order to decide the relevance of particular aspects for my work. I have used various sources to find these resources. I have utilized journal, books, websites, and other academic sources.

https://georginascontextualstudies.photo.blog/2019/05/31/assignment-four-first-draft/

https://georginascontextualstudies.photo.blog/2019/05/31/assignment-five-final-draft/

https://georginascontextualstudies.photo.blog/2019/11/01/reflective-commentary/

Assignment Development

As suggested by the Course Guide for assessment of Photography units (March 2021 version), I have discussed my assignment development below.

Assignment Two – Literature Review

After receiving feedback for my Literature Review I reworked it. 

My original submission can be found here:

https://georginascontextualstudies.photo.blog/2019/11/01/literature-review/

My feedback can be found here:

https://georginascontextualstudies.photo.blog/2019/08/30/assignment-two/

For the rework I took my tutor’s comments on board. I chose three main relevant texts to my field of work and introduced them and their relevance to my work. I have reworked the main bulk of the assignment in order to get the best result. I have kept some of the original work, as I discuss other reasons for the inequality, which is missed in the main texts. Here is my reworked literature review:

https://georginascontextualstudies.photo.blog/2020/02/16/rework/

Assignment Three – Plan

For this assignment I submitted my plan, which featured an outline of my chapters and what I was going to discuss. I also included the first 1000 words. 

Here is a link to this assignment: 

https://georginascontextualstudies.photo.blog/2019/05/31/assignment-three-plan/

My feedback for this assignment can be found here:

https://georginascontextualstudies.photo.blog/2019/08/30/assignment-three/

I noted that I needed to narrow down and state my central thread for my work, which was lacking. Whilst I have the research, I also need to use it to support my work. 

For my introduction I just stated an idea, I need to build on this and develop it. This leads to my fourth assignment, which was the first draft. Here I attempted to correct these mistakes. I tired to work on my methodology and my central aim. My second chapter discusses the male gaze in relation to landscapes. My third chapter looks at pedagogy. 

Assignment Four – First Draft

Here is my original submission for the fourth assignment:  

https://georginascontextualstudies.photo.blog/2019/05/31/assignment-four-first-draft/

Following feedback I still needed to work on a few things. Whilst my methodology had developed I needed to work on it further. There were sections I needed to rework for example my work on the male gaze comparison. I also need to discuss the history of the FSA. I also need to look at the main theorist of the male gaze, which is Laura Mulvey. I have done research on her work, so I know need to rework and introduce it into my work. 

Here is my tutor’s feedback:

https://georginascontextualstudies.photo.blog/2019/08/30/assignment-four/

Assignment Five – Final Draft

For this draft I worked through my essay and made changes:

https://georginascontextualstudies.photo.blog/2019/05/31/assignment-five-final-draft/

I have reworked chapter two and a few pieces in chapter three. I have included my abstract. 

Here is my feedback:

https://georginascontextualstudies.photo.blog/2019/08/30/assignment-five/

Whilst my work has improved, I need to fine-tune some things. There are a few things in chapter one to develop. Chapter two requires the most work. I need to develop my argument about the FSA and decided whether my piece on Catherine Opie is needed. 

Here is my final submission: 

https://georginascontextualstudies.photo.blog/2020/12/14/rework-final-draft/

I have reworked my extended project based on my tutor’s feedback and my own critique of my work. I have developed my second chapter and have removed my section about Catherine Opie’s work, as essentially it was not adding anything to my argument. I have tidied up my document and have worked on my abstract and have found my work feels complete. 

Here is a link to my critique on my work as a whole on this course:  

https://georginascontextualstudies.photo.blog/2021/01/30/critique/

Abstract

As suggested by the Course Guide for assessment of Photography units (March 2021 version), I have included my abstract below. The word count is 499.

Abstract

My work looks at the gender inequality in landscape photography. Religion, history and tradition have all contributed to the inequality we see. Certain characteristics have led to the inequality we see today. For example, the promotion of the Virgin Mary, of the ideal women in religion, has had far reaching effects into our society. Women are expected to be the ideal women, who can do everything, which is impossible. Traditional views that keep women as the homemakers and caregivers are detrimental for women trying to work in landscape photography. Views that are derivatives of a patriarchal society are kept alive and dampen a woman’s chance in landscape photography. 

Developing from this, I will look at the influence of the male gaze. The male gaze has long reaching consequences. Not only does it objectify women, it goes further and effectively devalues women and their work, which is why it is causing harm to the genre. It is dangerous, and can refer to the views men experience that empower them. In landscape photography, the male gaze has conquered feminine nature. As men dominate landscape photography, we see the world through one gaze; this influences our views in society. We see that men hold the power. It makes some people believe landscape photography is a male only pursuit as they only see male photographs. Male and female gazes also influence the photographs people take, their method and aims differ. 

Artists have tried to highlight this, but they have done so in a way in which needs a male artist as a base for theirs, by doing this they are not succeeding in fighting the male gaze, despite the strides that have been made. Problems with the male gaze extend into galleries, where inequality is rife. Art by men are exhibited more but they also hold the power in how the galleries and institutions are run. Men are also in the majority in the collector sphere. To help the inequality in landscape photography, a complete shake-up of the galleries and institutions is needed. Women need to be in decision-making positions, and the art that is shown should be diversified. 

Another solution can be achieved through education. Pedagogy introduced early on with teachers equipped and trained to implement it will help fight inequality. Gender-neutral classrooms for children will have long reaching advantages. This will help address the illusion that some roles are for women and some are for men. This will help expand the range in landscape photography, as it won’t be seen as a career that is off-limits to women, the world won’t be constantly working against them. But from my research, it shows it is difficult to implement these changes. Gender inequality can be put right in landscape photography but things will need to change. These deep ingrained beliefs have become natural to us, which make these traditions difficult to break, but society has made strides. Things are improving. Strides have been made successfully but there is still a ways to go. 

Key Words: landscape photography, gender inequality, tradition, religion, Virgin Mary, expectations, history, phallogocentrism, hegemony, male gaze, pedagogy 

Assessment Submissions

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I have used the OCA Course Guide for assessment of Photography Units (March 2021 version) for aid in preparing my assessment.

For my assessment, my submission on G-Drive is arranged in four files.

The first contains a selection of learning log entries. For this I has to choose a selection of my learning logs and match them to the learning outcomes. I have created a page containing these links that can be found here:

Learning Log Learning Outcomes

The second folder contains any written elements to my work. This includes my Literature Review from Assignment Two, my Abstract, and my Extended Written Project.

The third folder contains my written evaluation. Here is a link to the evaluation I have submitted with my assignment:

Assessment Evaluation

I also have a longer evaluation which can be found here:

Evaluation

The fourth folder contains all five of my tutor reports.

Assessment Criteria

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Assessment Criteria

Assignment Five

Demonstration of subject based on knowledge and understanding

I believe I have demonstrate my knowledge of my subject. I have researched the topic extensively and have used this research in the formation of my essay. I have brought my knowledge and research together to form my final essay. I have explored various topics within my subject area and have brought these together in a coherent manner and have presented them together in my work. 

Demonstration of research skills

I have done some in-depth research into gender inequality in landscape photography. My research folder in evident for this. I have looked at various primary and secondary sources, in the form of books, journals, research papers, and websites. I have looked at the topic specifically but also looked further a field and have used that knowledge and explained in my work why it is relevant. I believe I had done extensive research for my work. 

Demonstration of critical and evaluation skills

I have presented my ideas and have provided an analysis and an evaluation. I have brought ideas together and analysed them and gave my own reasons. I felt I was critical of what research I would use as I had to analysis each resource and decided what to use and what not to use. I believe my evaluation skills can be seen in my final essay. I have brought my ideas together using my research and have presented complete final essay. 

Communication  

I have written blog post throughout my course, which I believe are clear and explain what I am doing. I believe I have communicated my ideas well. It is something that I have worked on from assignment three and have developed significantly. My tutor has mentioned that my sentences needed changing as they can be too wordy and I need to do a general proof-read, which I have done. I went over my work and changed any sections that didn’t make or could have been said easier. 

Assessment Criteria

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Assessment Criteria

Assignment Two

Demonstration of subject based on knowledge and understanding  

For my second assignment I had to review the most relevant texts in my subject area. I research the topic and found the relevant discussions and sources. I felt I had research the topic well for my first submission of the assignment. I wasn’t completely sure how to write a literature, so I research them. After my tutor feedback I saw where I went wrong. I had provide more of a summery of the topic rather than a review of the most relevant topics. However my tutor found that on my learning log I had actually reviewed the relevant books but I had failed to put that in my work. My rework of this assignment, I feel now meets the brief. Whilst I still have included a summery of the topic, my work now centres around the critical analysis of the main sources. 

Demonstration of research skills

I feel that I have done some in-depth research into my subject area. I have looked at various angles and theories and have brought them together in my work. I looked specifically at my topic but also have taken a wider look at theories and beliefs that may contribute in-directly. I looked for what I felt was the most relevant sources and have researched them and reviewed them. 

Demonstration of critical and evaluation skills

For my first submission, I felt that I did analysis the main theories but I failed to analysis certain sources, which my tutor recommended I do at my tutor review. I then choose the main relevant sources and presented their thrones and then critical analysed them and evaluated their thoughts and my own. 

Communication  

I felt I have communicated my ideas well and concisely. I had laid out my essay methodically. This means my work is clear and flows throughout, but also allows sections to be links and referred to. 

Assessment Criteria

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Assessment Criteria

Assignment One

Demonstration of subject based on knowledge and understanding

I have decided on my topic for my body of work. I read through the course work and decided to research each visual culture, so that way I could see which my work fits into. I made a mind map to keep my ideas together and so I could see the links. In my essay I explained why I felt my work fit into each category and even put forward an idea that my work would fit better into the postmodern feminism category. 

Demonstration of research skills

I researched each visual culture in order to understand them. This allowed me to see in which my work would fit into. I feel my research is evident. 

Demonstration of critical and evaluation skills

In my essay I gave reason to why my work would fit into each visual culture but I also gave my reason as to why I felt that it didn’t fit completely in. I was critical of where my work would ultimately lie. I went a step further and put forward another visual culture which I felt fitted my work better, which is postmodern feminism. It is a sub-category of postmodernism but I felt I couldn’t complete this assignment without bringing it into play. 

Communication  

I felt I communicated my idea plainly and in a methodological way. I spilt my work up into section so I could discuss each part before moving on. I believe I wrote my ideas out clearly and concisely.