Research Studio, Introduction to Applying an Art Practice as Research Method
Full course description
The two modules of Research Studio invite to explore conducting research in an interdisciplinary team consisting of artists and academics. Bridging the domains of art and academia, Research Studio challenges students to get out of their ‘comfort zone’ and transfer their academic knowledge and skills to a new working environment. This interdisciplinary view on research is underpinned by the idea that art and academia are not separate domains, but ‘particular kinds of experimental practices in a more general experimental culture’ (Gere, 2010). Taken together, the skills training and project trigger creativity, require adaptability and endorse critical reflection on established research practices, methods and ways of knowing. They challenge to critically consider the questions how do we know what we know? And what for?
Participants in Research Studio are part of an interdisciplinary team. Together they work on a topical issue, guided by both an artist and an academic researcher. The aim is not to turn UCM students into artists or to ‘make art’. Instead, the aim is to explore ways in which practices and insights from the arts can help to get to know about the topic of the research. Hence, the project welcomes students from all concentrations. All team-members contribute based on their personal backgrounds, expertise and interests. No specific experience in an art practice is expected. Students should be open to experimenting with new or unfamiliar ways of conducting research, using for instance the body as a research instrument.
Course objectives
The learning objectives addressed in the skills training part of Research Studio are as follows. Students will learn:
- To familiarize themselves and engage with a variety of (artistic) research methodologies.This includes being able to recognize different forms of artistic research, being able to critically reflect on their application in different contexts and being able to relate them to (and potentially pair them with) academic methods of research.
- Ways to engage in and discuss an art practice. This includes the use of artistic methods to generate knowledge (see objective 1) and the ability to distinguish between an art practice and artistic research.
- Collaboration in a diverse and interdisciplinary team.This includes teamwork and communication skills as well as adaptability and reflection on one’s strengths and weaknesses in contributing to the team-effort.
- To transfer their knowledge and skills to a practical issue of societal concern.This includes critical analysis of the topic, recognizing what questions can be raised and what approaches can be taken to address these questions.
Prerequisites
HUM1011 Introduction to Art and at least one of any of the following courses: HUM1012 Pop Songs and Poetry, HUM2013 The Presence of Art, HUM2031 Cultural Studies II, HUM2043 Film Art, HUM3036 Narrative Media or HUM3043 Acts of Literature.
Students who register for SKI3003 Research Studio, introduction to applying an art practice as research method also have to register for PRO3015 Research Studio, where art and academia meet in the same semester. It is not possible to take either module separately due to the integrated set-up of the skills training and the project