Overview
This culminating course supports two equivalent pathways: a research-based arts dissertation or a curated, critically documented exhibition. Students formulate an original inquiry, situate their work within relevant historical, cultural, and contemporary contexts, and undertake sustained independent research or creative practice under supervision.
The dissertation pathway addresses question formation, literature and artist research, methodology, ethics, evidence, analysis, scholarly argument, citation, drafting, and revision. The exhibition pathway addresses curatorial concept, selection and sequencing, installation or presentation, spatial and technical planning, interpretation, accessibility, audience development, documentation, promotion, and critical evaluation.
Both pathways require an approved proposal, project plan, supervisory meetings, milestone reviews, a process journal or research archive, and a final presentation or defense. Students produce a coherent and ambitious final outcome, communicate decisions to specialist and non-specialist audiences, incorporate critical feedback, and evaluate the significance, limitations, and future development of their work.
Learning Outcomes
- Formulate and pursue an original arts inquiry supported by relevant historical, cultural, theoretical, and contemporary research.
- Apply appropriate research, creative, ethical, or curatorial methods to develop and manage an independent project.
- Synthesize scholarly, artistic, and practice-based evidence into a coherent critical argument or curatorial rationale.
- Produce an ambitious, resolved dissertation or exhibition outcome that demonstrates sustained engagement with the approved project objectives.
- Evaluate ethical, professional, accessibility, technical, and audience considerations relevant to arts research and exhibition practice.
- Communicate project decisions and outcomes effectively to specialist and non-specialist audiences through written, visual, oral, or spatial forms.
- Integrate supervisory and peer feedback through documented cycles of drafting, revision, experimentation, and refinement.
- Critically evaluate the significance, limitations, methodological choices, and future development of the completed work.
Timetable
| Type | Length | Frequency | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seminar | 1 hour | Weekly | All semester |
| Tutorial | 1 hour | Fortnightly | All semester |
| Workshop | 2 hours | Fortnightly | All semester |
| Practicum | 1 hour | Weekly | All semester |
Assessment Schedule
| Type | Description | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Deliverable | Approved research or exhibition proposal and project plan | 10.00% |
| Assignment | Process journal or research archive | 15.00% |
| Test | Milestone review presentation | 15.00% |
| Capstone | Final dissertation or exhibition outcome | 40.00% |
| Exam | Final presentation or defense | 10.00% |
| Assignment | Critical evaluation and professional documentation | 10.00% |
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.
