Sensing Ocean: Art, Critical Practice, and Marine Technologies

The course is offered as a freestanding course.

Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA), 180 credits, including a minimum of 7,5 credits in visual communication, media technology, digital imaging, film, photography, design, audio engineering, music or media production, or equivalent qualifications.

In addition, proficiency in English equivalent to English 6, English B, or English Level 2 from Swedish upper secondary school is required, or an equivalent level demonstrated through internationally recognised tests such as TOEFL or IELTS.

Sensing Ocean is an interdisciplinary course that explores the relationship between the ocean, marine sensor technologies, and artistic practice. The course approaches the ocean as both a life-sustaining and inaccessible environment – a site where human perception encounters its limits and where sensors, data, and infrastructures mediate our understanding. In the course, marine sensor technologies are explored as artistic and critical nodes of inquiry, through which listening, seeing, and measuring can be understood as aesthetic, ethical, and political acts.

The course combines theoretical perspectives from environmental and ocean-oriented humanities, studies of technology and inter- and transdisciplinary knowledge production, and critical image and sound practices with digital technology labs, supervised workshops, and remote studio work. Guest lectures and case studies with artists and marine natural scientists provide interdisciplinary grounding and broaden the understanding of how different practices shape the ways the ocean can be investigated and represented. Practical approaches may include acoustic and visual marine technologies as well as work with open data and open-source tools. Students develop an individual artistic project connected to the course themes.

The course is structured around three modules. The modules are thematically distinct but delivered in an integrated format: throughout the course. The student develops their project continuously through theoretical, methodological, and practical components.

Module 1: Theory & Method, 3 credits

This module introduces critical perspectives on the ocean, sensor technologies, and inter- and transdisciplinary knowledge production. The student situates their project within relevant theoretical frameworks and formulates a preliminary research question as well as a methodological and ethical framework for their artistic investigation.

Module 2: Artistic & Technological Approaches, 3 credits

The student explores artistic methods for working with marine sensor technologies and/or sensor data through selected approaches (e.g., sound, moving image, photography, cartography/visualization, installation, performance, hybrid forms, design). Through practical studies and process documentation, the student develops and refines the direction of the project.

Module 3: Independent Artistic Investigation, 9 credits

The student develops an independent artistic project that integrates theory, methodology/ethics, and chosen approaches into a coherent investigation. The module concludes with a final presentation and a written reflection that contextualises the work.

On successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:

Knowledge and Understanding

• account for central perspectives within environmental and ocean-oriented critical theoretical fields addressing relationships between the ocean, environment, technology, and inter- and transdisciplinary knowledge production
• describe how sensor technologies, sensor data, and infrastructures shape our perception and understanding of the ocean
• explain and discuss how artistic practice can engage with sensor technologies or sensor data as aesthetic and critical interfaces

Skills and Abilities

• formulate a research question for an independent artistic investigation in relation to the ocean and marine sensor technologies or sensor data
• plan and carry out an artistic investigation using interdisciplinary approaches in which sensor technologies or sensor data constitute a methodological and artistic point of departure
• document and communicate process, methodological choices, and implementation in relevant formats

Judgement and Approach

• justify and discuss their own artistic investigation in relation to the course’s perspectives on the ocean, technology, and inter- and transdisciplinary knowledge production
• evaluate the aesthetic, methodological, and ethical implications of artistic work involving marine sensor technologies and sensor data
• assess the possibilities and limitations of interdisciplinary approaches and collaborations within artistic practice.

The course is carried out as distance education via the University of Gothenburg's online learning environment.

Teaching is conducted through:

• online seminars and lectures
• digital technology labs with supervision
• independent artistic work
• supervision and peer feedback
• a field study component. 

The language of instruction is English.

The learning objectives will be assessed through:

• an approved project proposal including a risk assessment
• execution and presentation of an independent artistic investigation
• individual oral contributions in mandatory seminars
• written assignments submitted for assessment

Complementation of an examined student performance may be allowed. The possibility of complementation is assessed on an individual basis and decided by the examiner. Complementation is carried out through supplementary assignments determined by the examiner and within a specified timeframe.

Absence from an oral examining components may be replaced by an alternative form of examination, at the discretion of the examiner.

If a student who has been failed twice for the same examination element wishes to change examiner before the next examination session, such a request is to be granted unless there are specific reasons to the contrary (Chapter 6 Section 22 HF).

If a student has received a certificate of disability study support from the University of Gothenburg with a recommendation of adapted examination and/or adapted forms of assessment, an examiner may decide, if this is consistent with the course’s intended learning outcomes and provided that no unreasonable resources would be needed, to grant the student adapted examination and/or adapted forms of assessment.

If a course has been discontinued or undergone major changes, the student must be offered at least two examination sessions in addition to ordinary examination sessions. These sessions are to be spread over a period of at least one year but no more than two years after the course has been discontinued/changed. The same applies to placement and internship (VFU) except that this is restricted to only one further examination session.

If a student has been notified that they fulfil the requirements for being a student at Riksidrottsuniversitetet (RIU student), to combine elite sports activities with studies, the examiner is entitled to decide on adaptation of examinations if this is done in accordance with the Local rules regarding RIU students at the University of Gothenburg.

The grading scale comprises: Pass (G) and Fail (U).

Students are given the opportunity to evaluate the course orally and anonymously via questionnaire at theend of the course. The results and possible changes to the course will be shared with students who participated in the evaluation and students who are starting the course.

The course requires access to a computer with a camera, microphone, and internet connection.

Students are responsible for providing their own basic equipment and software for editing images, video, or audio, depending on the form of expression they choose to work with. Free alternatives may be used.

Recording and sensor data are shared within the course. Work is conducted, as far as possible, using open-source tools and open data.

Field studies may be carried out as part of an organized course component or as a self-initiated field-based investigation. A project proposal, including a risk assessment, must be approved by the examiner prior to implementation.

Students are responsible for any costs associated with their own project work and field studies.