The ANU School of Art assessment procedures can be summarised in general terms as follows. Where Workshop-specific processes or requirements differ, these are spelt out in the Handbook under specific subject outlines.  If you have any queries regarding assessment, please consult your Head of Workshop.

Attendance
Full attendance at scheduled classes is an obligation and is a prerequisite for all assessment and review processes. If full attendance is not possible in certain circumstances, variations to the normal timetable are to be noted and approved by Head of Workshop.

The Criticism, Review And Assessment Processes
The criticism, review and assessment processes are a key part of the School's educational programs. Assessment is the process of judgment by academic staff of the individual student's achievement in relation to the requirements or objectives of the particular unit of study. As a consequence of the assessment sessions and other processes of criticism and review the staff may provide formal advice and feedback on set requirements in relation to a student's future work. These processes take place in a number of ways, with differing formality, and with different implications for the student's progress through the course.

The different categories of the process, culminating in the formal assessment held at the conclusion of each semester, are:

Criticism Sessions
Criticism sessions may be informal or formal.  In the latter the student participates in periodic ‘crit sessions’ called by the member of staff responsible for the course of study.  Here, work completed for a project or work in progress is subject to a critique by member(s) of staff, workshop students or others from outside the workshop invited by the subject/group lecturer. The outcome of the crit sessions is verbal evaluation and constructive advice, and where appropriate, comments or requirements will be noted on the student's Workshop file. Where staff are of the opinion that a student's work is not of a satisfactory standard, the student will be advised verbally, and a note made on the student's Workshop file.

Review Sessions
In review sessions (normally conducted at mid-semester) the student is required to present both completed work and work in progress in the unit of study. Such reviews are attended by members of Workshop staff nominated by the Head of Workshop, held at a time and place nominated by the Head of Workshop and may include Workshop students or others from outside the Workshop invited by the Head of Workshop.

The outcome of this review will be conveyed to the student verbally, and where appropriate, comments or requirements will be noted on the student's Workshop file. Where staff are of the opinion that a student's work is not of a Pass standard, the student will be advised in writing, and staff comments noted on the student's Workshop file. The absence of such notification does not preclude a fail assessment at end of semester if a student's progress deteriorates after the review, or in other ways fails to fulfil the requirements of the course.

End-of-Semester Assessment (Examination)
At the end of each semester the student is required to present a body of work that represents the totality of the work effort in the particular course of study under assessment, as required in Course Study Guides and project outlines, or as approved under individual Work Proposals (see below). These assessment sessions are attended by members of Workshop staff nominated by the Head of Workshop and may include workshop students or others from outside the workshop invited by the Head of Workshop. These sessions are held at a time and place nominated by the Head of Workshop in consultation with the student. The outcome of this assessment will be referred to the appropriate authority for approval. Where appropriate, comments will be noted on the student's file.

While individual Workshops may have specific guidelines for structuring Work Proposals, the following is a structure which can also be used.

Guidelines for Developing Work Proposals
In writing a Work Proposal students are expected to state the aims of their project and the means intended to achieve their goals within the semester (or a shorter period if appropriate). This statement remains on record in the Workshop and is the basis for critical feedback, advice and assistance from staff, and is
referred to at mid-semester review and end of semester assessment (examination).  In organising their proposal, students should refer to the following headings, and address such questions as:

Aims & Subject of the Proposal:
What is the nature of the work you are proposing?
What is the subject matter of the work?
How many works do you intend to produce in this project?

Research & Working Process:
         What is the historical or conceptual basis of your ideas?
How will you go about developing these ideas, and what visual material and other research will be involved?

Methods and Materials:
What methods and materials do you intend to use?
What new skills do you need to develop?

Timeframe:
Give an outline and plan of your work in relation to the time available.

Visual Materials:
Provide drawings, diagrams, related visual and research material that may be useful in developing your proposal.

Students should discuss the development of this proposal with the relevant staff.  Where students are working on an individual project, the approved Work Proposal provides the basis for the Workshop Assessment.