I am very happy to be able to inform you that my year group is to be allowed to continue weaving until we graduate.
On the downside we will be the last year lucky enough to be allowed to do so but I am much too pleased to focus on the downsides!
Thank you to everyone who commented on my post, got in touch with the local newspapers, joined the facebook page, created the facebook page and also to MP Fraser Macpherson for his help etc. Also to the person who changed their mind!
I think it goes to show that people can actually make a difference if they work together.
Thanks everyone !
Friday, 30 April 2010
Friday, 2 April 2010
Woven Textiles - no longer on the curriculum.
On Tuesday morning we were told by our textile design tutors that woven textiles was being taken off of the course and was no longer an option for us students. This was due to funding being held preventing a new member of staff to be hired. There are 8 students who wanted to specialise in weave. I definately want to pursue weave in 3rd and 4th year as my specialist choice. However, as I have already paid a deposit for a flat, I would not be able to afford to move to another University to do a degree in woven textiles. Also, as we have missed the deadline for applying to different Universities I do not see how that is a feasable option. The short notice given to us is ridiculous.
A placement, in my opinion, would be beneficial, we would be able to go and learn the technical skills required to weave. On the other hand, I am not sure whether the department would allow us to go on a placement, at another institution in Scotland, during term time and allow us to pursue weave when we came back to Dundee. Money would also be an issue for me as I would not be able to pay rent for my flat in Dundee and rent for accomodation whilst on a placement at the same time. It is easy enough for tutors to tell us we can find our own placements over the Summer but in order to come to University I have to work 2 full time, jobs over the Summer so there is just not time.
I am unhappy with the whole situation. I applied from the general foundation art course to textile design under the impression that I could specialise in either, print, knit, weave or mixed media. As I have been learning the skills required to be a weaver throughout 2nd year and had my heart set on becoming a weaver I feel it is a great unjustice for it to be taken away a third of the way through the course. Especially as we were never told there was a possibility it might be taken away. Whilst I understand that the emphasis within the course is on design skills and the work we do can be transeferred into all of the different areas of specialism, it is weave that I expected and wanted to learn and to hopefully pursue as a career once I earnt my degree. Even if we were given help with funding and support from the textile department to go on a placement it would obviously be of greater value if we were simply to be taught by a tutor with weave skills within Duncan of Jordanstone as was done in previous years. I can not imagine a tutor being taken out of the Graphic Design department and the students studying there being told they can no longer use computers.
If you have any advice on who we can contact for support I'd really appreciate your comments!
A placement, in my opinion, would be beneficial, we would be able to go and learn the technical skills required to weave. On the other hand, I am not sure whether the department would allow us to go on a placement, at another institution in Scotland, during term time and allow us to pursue weave when we came back to Dundee. Money would also be an issue for me as I would not be able to pay rent for my flat in Dundee and rent for accomodation whilst on a placement at the same time. It is easy enough for tutors to tell us we can find our own placements over the Summer but in order to come to University I have to work 2 full time, jobs over the Summer so there is just not time.
I am unhappy with the whole situation. I applied from the general foundation art course to textile design under the impression that I could specialise in either, print, knit, weave or mixed media. As I have been learning the skills required to be a weaver throughout 2nd year and had my heart set on becoming a weaver I feel it is a great unjustice for it to be taken away a third of the way through the course. Especially as we were never told there was a possibility it might be taken away. Whilst I understand that the emphasis within the course is on design skills and the work we do can be transeferred into all of the different areas of specialism, it is weave that I expected and wanted to learn and to hopefully pursue as a career once I earnt my degree. Even if we were given help with funding and support from the textile department to go on a placement it would obviously be of greater value if we were simply to be taught by a tutor with weave skills within Duncan of Jordanstone as was done in previous years. I can not imagine a tutor being taken out of the Graphic Design department and the students studying there being told they can no longer use computers.
If you have any advice on who we can contact for support I'd really appreciate your comments!
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