Introduction to Artistic Research

The course is given as a free standing course.

A Bachelor's Degree of at least 180 credits.

The course introduces artistic research as a broad and evolving field of knowledge in which artistic practices are used to explore, articulate and generate new understandings of art, society and human experience. It opens up for an understanding of what artistic research is and can be, and provides an orientation in the contemporary research field based on relevant case studies.

Through studies of national and international research projects, the course discusses how artistic research is formulated, motivated and communicated within different artistic disciplines, and how these practices relate to broader societal and cultural contexts. Students develop the ability to identify structures, methods and considerations that shape research practices and their forms of presentation and publication.

Within the course, students also formulate a proposal for their own artistic research idea, taking into account methodological and contextual considerations. This work leads to an introductory understanding of how artistic research can be planned, justified and discussed in relation to the wider research field.

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

Knowledge and Understanding

• give an overall account of artistic research as a field of knowledge and as a critical practice
• based on relevant examples, describe methods, including forms of presentation and publication, used within artistic research

Skills and Abilities

• analyse and discuss research projects in artistic research based on given or chosen examples
• formulate a proposal for an individual artistic research idea with regard to methodological and contextual considerations

Judgement and Approach

• reflect on how artistic, theoretical and methodological considerations influence artistic research practices
• problematise ethical approaches within artistic research
• provide constructive feedback on fellow students’ analyses and research ideas.

The course is conducted as distance studies via the University of Gothenburg’s learning platform.

Teaching is carried out through lectures, seminars and tutoring.

The language of instruction is English.

The learning outcomes are assessed through:

• written analysis and reflection assignments
• oral presentations and individual contributions to discussions
• written submission of a proposal for an individual artistic research idea
• peer feedback on fellow students’ work.

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 the supplementary assignments determined by the examiner and within a specified timeframe.

Absence from an oral presentation 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 anonymously at the end of the course. The results of 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 assumes access to computer with camera and microphone and Internet connection.