Performance and Research Approaches 2

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2015:

120 hours.

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

Further exploration of research methods/forms of inquiry and concepts of arts practice as research and research into the arts as applied to dance-based inquiries. Discussion and presentation of research by current practitioners/researchers. Students discuss research approaches in the larger context of social and cultural perspectives building an understanding of current trends. Attention is given to exploring the issues of research writing and editing as they apply to higher degree research in the creative arts and to developing an articulate, reflective practitioner. Through weekly seminars and exercises students develop their own research approaches in relation to a current project building the foundations for written and creative research.

On completing this subject students will:

• develop skills in the preparation and presentation of seminar research papers;
• develop capacity to describe and analyse artistic performances and contextualise these in cultural and theoretical perspectives;
• develop an overview of forms of body-based performance, installations and events and an understanding of their aesthetic qualities and social context;
• develop the ability to use writing as a firm of inquiry
• develop ability to devise research methods appropriate to specific performance practices and body-based inquiries
• develop capacity to conduct a comprehensive survey of literature and practice in the field of interest
• develop the capacity to utilise a contextual review of a wide range of sources to expand upon a specific research inquiry
• develop the capacity to utilise research questions as complimentary to practice led approaches

• Individual oral presentation outlining an area of interest (10 minutes) - start of semester (25%)
• Written assignment 1: Summary of current project focus including topic, field, studio practice, development plan (750 words) - mid semester (25%)
• Written assignment 2: Contextual review of area of interest including a range of sources (1500 word) - mid semester (25%)
• Written assignment 3: Writing folio to no more than 1500 words - end of semester (25%)

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

• Capacity to evaluate and synthesise data and other information
• Ability to communicate in oral and written form and with appropriate digital technologies
• Capacity for critical thinking
• Ability to access data and other information from a range of sources
• Capacity to develop and design research processes appropriate to specific inquiries
• Capacity for a flexible approach to problem solving