Objectives of the MAFA Programme

The main goal of the MAFA Programme is to create a stimulating and challenging environment in which students through research in art and design can develop analytical, critical and communicative abilities. This goal will be achieved through the following specific objectives:

  • To enable MAFA students acquire and apply knowledge, understanding, and problem-solving skills in new or unfamiliar contexts related to their chosen field.
  • To provide an academic/research platform that enables MAFA students to integrate knowledge, handle complexity, formulate ideas and execute artworks or research reports of high professional standards
  • To generate knowledge and skills geared at addressing societal problems for sustainable human and technological development.
  • To enable learners to appreciate the African cultural heritage and to use culture as a spring board for generating new knowledge in regard to contemporary art and design production.

However, given that curriculum development is a continuous process, MTSIFA has found it necessary to review her MAFA curriculum yet again, in order to clarify and add new information and new courses as a measure of quality assurance.

Justification for the Current Review

MTSIFA is not only the leading centre for training and research in the disciplines of art and design, but also the oldest in the East and Central African region. MTSIFA has groomed a second generation of Art Institutions in the region- founded and or supported by MTSIFA Alumni. Among these are: Kyambogo Department of Industrial Arts and Design, University, Nkumba School of Commercial, Industrial Art and Design (SCIAD), Michelangelo School of Creative Arts and Nagenda International Academy of Art (NIAAD). With these new art and design institutions, MTSIFA continues to play a parental role in curriculum development, research and knowledge transfer. The current MAFA programme has itself been lacking crucial information about the programme structure and objectives. Theoretical courses which inform studio research, including detailed course outlines as required by the National Council for Higher Education have also been insufficient. It has also been lacking flexibility in terms of meeting different needs of stakeholders in the area of Art and Design.

MTSIFA recognizes that the strength of a university is judged on the nature, administration and output of its post graduate programs it has therefore been deemed important that MTSIFA includes more information in the structure and content of its MAFA programme. The changes suggested are principally based on the reviews commissioned and approved by the Board of the Margaret Trowell School of Industrial and Fine Art of 2008 and 2010.

Importantly, the past reviews recommended restructuring course content in the curriculum. It was also noted that the current MAFA document had not yet integrated the recent changes in the course codes for graduate programmes at Makerere University.

In the reviewed MAFA programme, alternative study plans have been adopted. It is hoped that with these study plans, the different needs of the MAFA applicants shall be addressed.

Career Prospects

Graduates from the MAFA Programme will pursue careers in academia, research, community-based organisations and industry as artists and designers or as independent studio practitioners.

The Programme

The MAFA curriculum is designed to enable students to develop their professional knowledge of historical and contemporary art/ design practices and debate, in conjunction with their own practice in Painting, Sculpture, Ceramics, Photography, Jewelry, Fashion and Textiles, Drawing, Printmaking and Illustration, and Advertising design, Communication and Product design, within the local and international contexts. The MAFA programme strongly encourages interdisciplinary study in related areas including Art Criticism, Art and Social Equity, Art and Health, Design Communication, Design and Social Responsibility; Art and Gender; Material Culture, Art and Politics, Product and Systems design.

Nature of the MAFA Programme

MAFA at MTSIFA is a full-time private day- and afternoon-programme offered within two academic years (four semesters) under Plan A, Plan B, and Plan D as follows:

  1. Plan A- by Course work and Dissertation
  2. Plan B – by Extended coursework and Project report
  3. Plan D – by Thesis only

Under Plan A and Plan B, the coursework component shall include both theoretical and practice-based modules. Whereas candidates under Plan A shall be required to submit a dissertation (of not less than 30,000 words)  at the end of the forth semester, those under Plan B shall be required to present their research findings in form of an Exhibition accompanied by an artist’s statement in a professional catalogue (of not less than 10,000 words). Yet students on the MAFA Programme under Plan D, shall be required to submit a comprehensive research report in form of a Thesis (not less than 50,000 words) in the fourth semester.

Upon admission, the student shall choose whether to embark on the MAFA Programme under Plan A or under Plan B as explained above. In exceptional circumstances, and based on evidence of prior research experience, a student shall be allowed to enroll on a MAFA Programme by Thesis only (Plan D).  MTSIFA shall use the credit hour system in determining the course value toward MAFA degree requirements.  Under this system, a course which meets one hour each week for one semester is worth one credit hour (or one semester hour of credit toward graduation).  A studio (practical) course which meets two hours each week for one semester shall be worth one credit hour.

Duration of the Programme

The MAFA programme shall cover two (2) academic years comprising 4 semesters of 17 weeks each.  Students shall pursue taught/guided Elective and Independent study courses in the first two semesters. During the third and fourth semesters, students shall embark on the research and dissertation (MAFA- Plan A), which will involve individual research, and seminar series.

Students on Plan B shall undertake extended studio work in the third semester culminating in a body of works for exhibition and a project report (Professional catalogue) in the fourth semester.

Students on Plan D shall demonstrate serious academic research capacity by presenting an acceptable research concept. At the point of application/first registration, a student is expected to have identified a research area. This may be done in consultation with the Department and will be influenced by the availability of expertise and resources in particular areas. Based on this, the student shall develop and submit a synopsis of 3-5 pages to the Chair of Department. The synopsis (concept paper) contains: title of the thesis; a brief background to the research succinct statement of the problem; the objectives of the research; the theoretical/conceptual framework of the research; a brief review of relevant literature; a brief description of the methodology and a list of reference. Within two weeks of submitting the synopsis/concept paper, the student shall obtain feedback on it. Upon approval of the synopsis/concept paper by the School Graduate Studies and Research Committee, two supervisors shall be allocated to the student.  The student shall be required to submit a progress report to the College through MTSFA Graduate Studies and Research Committee. The student shall submit a thesis of not less than 50,000 words, at the end of the fourth semester.

You may download a detailed copy of the course outline below

Attachments

Attachment Name Attachment Type
Master of Architecture DOC PDF PS

 

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE

The Programme Structure shall be as follows:

 

SCULPTURE

Semester I

Code Course Title LH PH (SH) CH CU
MAF 7101 Research Methods 45 45 3
MAF 7121 Contemporary Art in Uganda 45 45 3
MAF 7102 History of Painting 45 45 3
MAF 7122 Independent Study – Painting I 30 90 75 5
Total 1st Semester 165 90 210 14

Semester II

CURRENT CODE COURSE TITLE LH PH (SH) CH CU
MAF 7222 Introduction to  Cultural Studies 30 30 2
MAF 7223 Scholarly Writing and Communication Skills 45 45 3
MAF 7224 Elective – Painting 30 90 75 5
MAF 7225 Independent Study– Painting II 30 90 75 5
Total 2nd Semester 135 180 225 15

Semester III

CODE COURSE TITLE LH PH (SH) CH CU
MAF 8121 Independent Study – Painting III 30 90 75 5
MAF 8122 Art as a Social Practice 30 60 60 4
MAF 8123 Research Seminar Series 30 30 2
Total 3rd Semester 90 150 165 11

Semester IV

OLD CODE CODE COURSE TITLE LH PH (SH) CH CU
MAF 8225 Major Project 30 90 75 5
MAFA 612 MAF8226 Project Report 30 90 75 5
MAFA 602 MAF 8222 Professional Exhibition 30 90 75 5
Total 4th Semester 90 270 225 15

PAINTING

Semester I

OLD CODE CODE COURSE TITLE LH PH (SH) CH CU
MAFA 600 MAF 7101 Research Methods 45 45 3
MAF 7121 Contemporary Art in Uganda 45 45 3
MAFA 603 MAF 7102 History of Painting 45 45 3
MAFA 615 MAF 7122 Independent Study – Painting I 30 90 75 5
Total 1st Semester 165 90 210 14

 

Semester II – Painting

OLD CODE CURRENT CODE COURSE TITLE LH PH (SH) CH CU
MAF 7222 Introduction to  Cultural Studies 30 30 2
MAF 7223 Scholarly Writing and Communication Skills 45 45 3
MAFA 624 MAF 7224 Elective – Painting 30 90 75 5
MAFA 615 MAF 7225 Independent Study– Painting II 30 90 75 5
Total 2nd Semester 135 180 225 15

 

Semester III – Painting

OLD CODE CODE COURSE TITLE LH PH (SH) CH CU
MAFA 615 MAF 8121 Independent Study – Painting III 30 90 75 5
MAF 8122 Art as a Social Practice 30 60 60 4
MAF 8123 Research Seminar Series 30 30 2
Total 3rd Semester 90 150 165 11

 

Semester IV – Painting

OLD CODE CODE COURSE TITLE LH PH (SH) CH CU
MAF 8225 Major Project 30 90 75 5
MAFA 612 MAF 8203MAF8226 Guide Book – PaintingProject Report 4530 90 4575 35
MAFA 602 MAF 8222 Professional Exhibition 30 90 75 5
Total 4th Semester 90 270 225 15

SCULPTURE

Semester I – Sulpture

OLD CODE CODE COURSE TITLE LH PH (SH) CH CU
MAFA 600 MAF 7101 Research Methods 45 45 3
MAF 7121 Contemporary Art in Uganda 45 45 3
MAFA 604 MAF 7104 History of Sculpture 45 45 3
MAFA 617 MAF 7123 Independent Study-Sculpture I 30 90 75 5
Total 1st Semester 165 90 210 14

 

Semester II – Sulpture

OLD CODE CURRENT CODE COURSE TITLE LH PH (SH) CH CU
MAF 7222 Introduction to  Cultural Studies 30 30 2
MAF 7223 Scholarly Writing and Communication Skills 45 45 3
MAFA 630 MAF7226 Elective – Sculpture 30 90 75 5
MAFA 617 MAF7227 Independent Study–Sculpture II 30 90 75 5
Total 2nd Semester 135 180 225 15

 

Semester III – Sulpture

OLD CODE CODE COURSE TITLE LH PH /SH CH CU
MAFA 617 MAF8124 Independent Study – Sculpture III 30 90 75 5
MAF 8122 Art as a Social Practice 30 60 60 4
MAF 8123 Research Seminar Series 30 30 2
Total 3rd Semester 90 150 165 11

 

 

Semester IV – Sulpture

OLD CODE CODE COURSE TITLE LH PH (SH) CH CU
MAF 8225 Major Project 30 90 75 5
MAFA 612 MAF8226 Project Report 30 90 75 5
MAFA 602 MAF 8222 Professional Exhibition 30 90 75 5
Total 4th Semester 90 270 225 15

 

DRAWING

Semester I – Drawing

OLD CODE CODE COURSE TITLE LH PH (SH) CH CU
MAFA 600 MAF 7101 Research Methods 45 45 3
MAF 7121 Contemporary Art in Uganda 45 45 3
MAFA 605 MAF 7106 History of Drawing 45 45 3
MAFA 618 MAF 7124 Independent Study- Drawing I 30 90 75 5
Total 1st Semester 165 90 210 14


Semester II – Drawing

OLD CODE CODE COURSE TITLE LH PH (SH) CH CU
MAF 7222 Introduction to  Cultural Studies 30 30 2
MAF 7223 Scholarly Writing and Communication Skills 45 45 3
MAFA 632 MAF7228 Elective – Drawing 30 90 75 5
MAFA 618 MAF 7229 Independent Study– Drawing II 30 90 75 5
Total 2nd Semester 135 180 225 15

 

Semester III – Drawing

 

OLD CODE CODE COURSE TITLE LH PH (SH) CH CU
MAFA 618 MAF8125 Independent Study – Drawing III 30 90 75 5
MAF 8122 Art as a Social Practice 30 60 60 4
MAF 8123 Research Seminar Series 30 30 2
Total 3rd Semester 90 150 165 11

 

Semester IV – Drawing

OLD CODE CODE COURSE TITLE LH PH (SH) CH CU
MAF 8225 Major Project 30 90 75 5
MAFA 612 MAF8226 Project Report 30 90 75 5
MAFA 602 MAF 8222 Professional Exhibition 30 90 75 5
Total 4th Semester 90 270 225 15

PRINTMAKING

Semester I – Print Making

OLD CODE CODE COURSE TITLE LH PH (SH) CH CU
MAFA 600 MAF 7101 Research Methods 45 45 3
MAF 7121 Contemporary Art in Uganda 45 45 3
MAFA 606 MAF 7108 History of  Printmaking 45 45 3
MAFA 619 MAF 7125 Independent Study-Printmaking I 30 90 75 5
Total 1st Semester 165 90 210 14

 

Semester II – Print Making

OLD CODE CODE COURSE TITLE LH PH(SH) CH CU
MAF 7222 Introduction to  Cultural Studies 30 30 2
MAF 7223 Scholarly Writing and Communication Skills 45 45 3
MAFA 634 MAF7230 Elective – Printmaking 30 90 75 5
MAFA 619 MAF 7231 Independent Study- Printmaking II 30 90 75 5
Total 2nd Semester 135 180 225 15


Semester III – Print Making

OLD CODE CODE COURSE TITLE LH PH (SH) CH CU
MAFA 619 MAF 8126 Independent Study – Printmaking III 30 90 75 5
MAF 8122 Art as a Social Practice 30 60 60 4
MAF 8123 Research Seminar Series 30 30 2
Total 3rd Semester 90 150 165 11

 

Semester IV – Print Making

OLD CODE CODE COURSE TITLE LH PH (SH) CH CU
MAF 8225 Major Project 30 90 75 5
MAFA 612 MAF 8226 Project Report 30 90 75 5
MAFA 602 MAF 8222 Professional Exhibition 30 90 75 5
Total 4th Semester 90 270 225 15

 

HISTORY OF ART BY COURSE WORK AND DISSERTATION

Semester I

OLD CODE CODE COURSE TITLE LH PH (SH) CH CU
MAFA 600 MAF 7101 Research Methods 45 45 3
MAF 7121 Contemporary Art in Uganda 45 45 3
MAF7126 Foundations of  History of Art 60 60 4
MAFA 616 MAF 7127 Independent Study – History of Art I 30 90 75 5
Total 1st Semester 180 90 225 15

 

Semester II

 

OLD CODE CODE COURSE TITLE LH PH (FH) CH CU
MAF 7232 Introduction to museum studies 30 30 2
MAF 7223 Scholarly Writing and Communication Skills 60 60 4
MAFA 628 MAF 7233 Elective – History of Art 60 60 4
MAFA 616 MAF 7234 Independent Study-History of Art II 30 90 75 5
Total 2nd Semester 180 90 180 15

 

Semester III

OLDCODE CODE COURSE TITLE LH PH (SH) CH CU
MAFA 628 MAF 8127 Dissertation I 30 90 75 5
MAF 8128 Curatorial Methodology 30 60 60 4
MAF 8129 Research Seminar Series I 30 30 2
Total 3rd Semester 90 150 165 11

 

Semester IV

 

OLD CODE CODE COURSE TITLE LH PH (SH) CH CU
MAFA 614 MAF 8227 Dissertation II 30 90 75 5
MAF8228 Preventive Conservation 30 60 60 4
MAF 8229 Research Seminar Series 2 30 30 2
Total 4th Semester 90 150 165 11

 

HISTORY OF ART/ART THEORY – MAFA– PLAN D (THESIS ONLY)

Semester I

OLD CODE CODE COURSE TITLE LH PH (SH) CH CU
MAFA600 MAF 7101 Research methods 45 45 3
MAF 7121 Contemporary Art in Uganda 45 45 3
MAF 7126 Foundations of Art History 60 60 4
MAFA 601 MAF 7128 Thesis (Writing) I 45 60 75 5
Total 1st Semester 195 60 225 15

 

Semester II

OLD CODE CODE COURSE TITLE LH PH (SH) CH CU
MAFA 601 MAF 7235 Thesis (Writing) II 45 60 75 5
MAF 7231 Introduction to museum studies 30 30 2
MAF 7223 Scholarly Writing and Communication Skills 60 60 4
Total 2nd Semester 135 60 165 11

 

 

 

 

 

Semester III

 

OLD CODE CODE COURSE TITLE LH PH (SH) CH CU
MAFA 601 MAF 8130 Thesis Writing III 45 60 75 5
MAF 8128 Curatorial Methodology 30 60 60 4
MAF 8129 Research Seminar Series I 30 30 2
Total 3rd Semester 105 120 165 11

Semester IV

OLD CODE CODE COURSE TITLE LH PH (SH) CH CU
MAFA 601 MAF 8230 Thesis (Submission) 30 90 75 5
MAF 8228 Preventive Conservation 30 60 60 4
MAF 8229 Research Seminar Series 2 30 30 2
Total 4th Semester 90 150 165 11