FINEARTS 322 : Research Essay: Making Sense of Practice

Creative Arts and Industries

2024 Semester Two (1245) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

A response to the capstone project, this course focuses the research essay within relevant local, international, and historical fields of practice. Considers different ways of writing and discussing art, and how different types of art may be served by different forms of interpretation.

Course Overview

In this course students will consider the importance of academic writing for creative practitioners. This includes the distinctive role that artists’ writing contributes to contemporary discourses. Academic writing in the expanded field will be discussed in relation to historical and contemporary contexts. This includes forms of writing such as ficto-criticism and autotheory. Indigenous literary frameworks will also be considered. 

The course supports students in the writing of a research essay which reflects on key aspects of their studio practice.  Relevant models and methodologies in contemporary writing will be explored. Essay progress will be reviewed informally at different stages through individual and group exercises and discussions. Exemplar texts will be referenced to position theoretical, philosophical, and critical concepts to support student learning. 



 

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: FINEARTS 320 To complete this course students must enrol in FINEARTS 322 A and B, or FINEARTS 322

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: People and Place
Capability 2: Sustainability
Capability 3: Knowledge and Practice
Capability 4: Critical Thinking
Capability 5: Solution Seeking
Capability 6: Communication
Capability 7: Collaboration
Capability 8: Ethics and Professionalism
Graduate Profile: Bachelor of Fine Arts

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Identify appropriate research interests that deepen a student’s understanding of their own practice. (Capability 3, 4, 5 and 6)
  2. Apply an understanding of relevant bodies of knowledge to support critical, theoretical, and cultural reflection on a chosen field of research (Capability 1, 4 and 7)
  3. Critically reflect on the relationship of theoretical or cognate contextual material to the student’s own enquiry (Capability 5 and 8)
  4. Expand and enhance interpretive skills in relation to the way meanings are generated and transformed by things made, or done, within a creative practice (Capability 2 and 5)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Assignments 30% Individual Coursework
Essay 70% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4
Assignments
Essay

Students must achieve 50% or more overall in order to pass the course.

Teaching & Learning Methods

Incorporating a variety of different teaching and learning methods including lectures, class time will primarily be based on a combination of one-to-one and group discussions, kanohi ki te kanohi (face to face).
Individual and group discussions  will respond to the development of idea generation, content organisation, draft writing, and to the significance of key topics and arguments. Individuals and small groups will present written and visual material within teaching groups when appropriate.

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in. Each week includes 3 hours of teaching contact and 7 hours of independent study time.

For this course, you can expect 36 hours of contact/class time, and 114 hours of self-directed study.




Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is expected at scheduled activities to receive credit for the course. The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.


Learning 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.

Students are expected to supply their own journals or digital device for note taking in class.

Health & Safety

Please refer to the ‘Elam School of Fine Arts Health, Safety and Wellbeing Guidelines’ document available on course Canvas pages.

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.

No major changes were recommended. Based on ongoing feedback, the course will include more student-focused writing exercises, and these will be facilitated earlier in the semester. Proposed writing exercises will emphasise shared learning opportunities, and encourage collaboration with peers. This measure will continue to foster a community of learners as aligned with the course’s learning objectives.


Other Information

To achieve well in this course will require regular participation both in class, and out-of-class work, regular consultation of Canvas for weekly notifications concerning course delivery milestones, homework tasks and assessment requirements, and good email communication when necessary.

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 for potential plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct, using computerised detection mechanisms.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

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.

Requests for extensions of time must be submitted and approved using the online Extension of Time Application form available on Canvas. Students should notify the Course Director/Course Coordinator of their situation as soon as practicable, and preferably before any due date. Notifications received after an assessment due date will be accepted, where this is reasonable, within the context of the course. If possible, students are encouraged to seek medical, counselling or other support from the most appropriate sources.
No extensions will be granted for problems such as clashing deadlines or accidentally erased computer files which should always be prevented by keeping backup copies.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an 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. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the University Website for information about how to proceed.

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 students may be asked to submit 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. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.

Published on 30/10/2023 04:05 p.m.