This course enables students to plan, consolidate and resolve the methodological approaches that underpins the meaning, intent and outcomes of their art practice. The outcomes for this course will be the development and shaping of a personal methodology culminating in the creation of new work. This course supports self-directed independent research with an emphasis on practice-led research*. Through an in-depth analysis of contemporary art practices, students will identify and apply appropriate modes of analysis, evaluation and comparative critical frameworks in order to clearly articulate the strategies and rationale for making their own work. Students benefit directly from academic staff research-led teaching as the course is structured around seminar presentations and responses by a range of guest lectures. Aligning with the SOAD research hubs the course also involves visits to collections and displays at national institutions where different examples of research approaches are tested.
*Practice-led research is an approach that allows an artist to identify how their practice creates research, therefore legitimising the knowledge they reveal by endorsing the methodologies, methods and research tools that are characteristic of that discipline.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- critically examine contemporary art practice methodologies through an analysis of appropriate examples of works of art;
- propose and consolidate an original and substantial independent practice-led research utilising methodologies relevant to their own practice;
- identify and apply contemporary frameworks in order to clearly articulate the strategies, processes and rationale for making their own work; and
- present reasoned, referenced, and structured arguments at an advanced level in both written and audio-visual forms.
Indicative Assessment
- Scripted oral independent proposal presentation (1000 words,10 min) (20) [LO 1,2,3,4]
- Progressive visual and audio documentation of completed and work in progress (1500 words) (20) [LO 1,2,3,4]
- Written critical reflection and methodological analysis to support independent practice-led research (3500 words) (20) [LO 1,2,3,4]
- Independent practice-led research project (body of creative work) (40) [LO 1,2,3,4]
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
390 hours of total student learning time made up from:
a) 24 hours of contact: seminar tutorials, delivered over 12 weeks. (2 hours scheduled seminar and tutorial lectures per week) (4 hours workshop specific supervisory meeting over 12 weeks - by appointment only) Contact hours may include field trips in the Canberra region.
and b) 362 hours of independent student practice-led research, reading and writing.
Inherent Requirements
NA
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
Readings and other course materials will be listed on the course Wattle site.
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 12
- Unit value:
- 18 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 18.00 | 0.37500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2025 | $12060 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2025 | $16740 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
First Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4026 | 17 Feb 2025 | 24 Feb 2025 | 31 Mar 2025 | 23 May 2025 | In Person | View |