DESIGN 794A/B : Thesis
Creative Arts and Industries
2021 Semester Two (1215) / 2022 Semester One (1223) (90 POINTS)
Course Overview
This course provides design scholars with the opportunity to undertake postgraduate design research on a topic approved by the Head of School for Elam Fine Arts and Design for the degree of Master of Design under the guidance of an appointed supervisor.
The study may vary by discipline and approach (e.g. scientic, creative, philosophical, practice-based).
Students are required to submit a progress report, signed by their supervisor, to the course coordinator at the end of their first semester.
The final research outcome will include an 18 000 word thesis, and potentially, aligned practical work that will be presented orally with audiovisual support.
This course outline should be read in conjunction with the Guide to Theses and Dissertations.
Course Requirements
Capabilities Developed in this Course
| Capability 1: | Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice |
| Capability 2: | Critical Thinking |
| Capability 3: | Solution Seeking |
| Capability 4: | Communication and Engagement |
| Capability 5: | Independence and Integrity |
| Capability 6: | Social and Environmental Responsibilities |
Learning Outcomes
- Develop expanded skills in the research and analysis of a specific issue of pertinence to design that demonstrates a critical awareness of the field (Capability 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4 and 6.2)
- Show sophisticated understanding of the different influences and factors contributing to that issue and to be able to show their interrelation (Capability 2.4, 3.3 and 6.1)
- Develop advanced capacity of reasoning and articulation of research findings in a substantial piece of written work (Capability 1.1, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 2.4 and 4.2)
- Articulate compelling arguments and valid conclusions arising from research (Capability 2.4, 4.1 and 5.1)
- Develop advanced skills in critical and reflexive dialogue (Capability 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 5.1, 5.5 and 6.2)
- realise To be able to realise an integrated piece of research incorporating a substantial finished academic document [with a practical design component] to an advanced standard (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 2.4 and 4.1)
Assessments
| Assessment Type | Percentage | Classification |
|---|---|---|
| Thesis | 100% | Individual Coursework |
| 100% |
| Assessment Type | Learning Outcome Addressed | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | |||||
| Thesis | ||||||||||
Teaching & Learning Methods
academic sta member.
Students will be invited to develop their topic proposal in conjunction with their supervisors. Students should be prepared to clearly
present their research in a professional manner and describe what literature they are reading in support of their thesis.
Firm arrangements for regular meetings will be made between the student and the supervisor. Students will show substantial progress
between each meeting with their supervisors. As a general rule, the student should come to a supervision meeting bringing a new
component of work to be discussed.
In the event there is a breakdown in relations with the supervisor, recourse should be made in the rst instance to the course
coordinator.
Workload Expectations
Delivery Mode
Campus Experience or Online
This course is offered in two delivery modes:
Campus Experience
Attendance is required at initial scheduled lectures to frame the design research thesis process.
Attendance is required at the scheduled meetings with the supervisor
Online
Attendance is required at initial scheduled lectures to frame the design research thesis process.
Attendance is required at the scheduled meetings with the supervisor
Student Feedback
At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.
Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.
Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.
Digital Resources
Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).
Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.
Academic Integrity
The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.
Inclusive Learning
All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.
Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz
Special Circumstances
If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.
If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.
This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.
In the event of unexpected disruption
We undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions, the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. In the event of a disruption, the University and your course coordinators will make every effort to provide you with up to date information via Canvas and the University website.
Student Charter and Responsibilities
The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.
Disclaimer
Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.
In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.