Master of Arts in Fine Art – Margaret Trowell School of Industrial and Fine Arts, Makerere University

Introduction

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

Plan A- by Course work and Dissertation

Plan B – by Extended coursework and Project report

Plan D – by Thesis only

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.

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.

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Introduction

Nature of the MAFA Programme

Plan A- by Course work and Dissertation

Plan B – by Extended coursework and Project report

Plan D – by Thesis only

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