Overview
Advanced Arts Research develops the conceptual, methodological, and practical skills required for sustained inquiry in the arts. Students formulate focused research questions and situate them within historical, cultural, social, and theoretical contexts.
The course examines qualitative, practice-based, archival, and interdisciplinary methods, including literature and visual-source reviews, artist research, ethics and representation, cultural protocols, documentation, critical theory, evidence evaluation, citation, and research design. Through annotated bibliographies, precedent studies, proposals, field or studio investigations, peer critique, and a substantial research outcome, students connect theory with artistic practice and communicate findings to specialist and public audiences.
Learning Outcomes
- Formulate a focused and meaningful research problem in the arts.
- Evaluate scholarly, archival, visual, and practice-based sources for relevance, credibility, and cultural accountability.
- Synthesize historical, cultural, social, and theoretical contexts into a coherent research framework.
- Design an appropriate qualitative, practice-based, archival, or interdisciplinary research methodology.
- Apply ethical principles, cultural protocols, and responsible approaches to representation in arts inquiry.
- Document and critically reflect on research processes, artistic decisions, and evidentiary practices.
- Construct and communicate a sustained argument through written, visual, oral, or practice-based formats.
- Defend a substantial research outcome using appropriate evidence, theoretical concepts, and methodological reasoning.
Timetable
| Type | Length | Frequency | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 2 hours | Weekly | All semester |
| Workshop | 2 hours | Weekly | All semester |
| Seminar | 2 hours | Fortnightly | All semester |
| Studio | 2 hours | Weekly | Second term |
Assessment Schedule
| Type | Description | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Assignment | Annotated bibliography and visual-source review | 15.00% |
| Assignment | Research proposal and ethics documentation | 20.00% |
| Deliverable | Field or studio investigation dossier | 20.00% |
| Tutorial | Peer critique participation and research presentation | 10.00% |
| Capstone | Substantial research outcome and supporting exegesis | 35.00% |
Prerequisites
Teaching Staff & Programs
This course is delivered jointly by faculty from the participating programs listed below. In line with the Douchewater Way, the University of Sexology tailors core instruction directly to each cohort's specific discipline — adapting curriculum to program needs rather than forcing students into a one-size-fits-all model. Learn more about our approach at The Douchewater Way.
