Honours Research Paper (FINA4022A)

Aim

The Research Project is an Honours level course applicable to all 4th year and Honours Fine Art students at WSOA. The Research Project (6000–7000-word essay or creative submission) constitutes the primary outcome of the course. Consequently, all course assessments are geared towards preparing students for this final submission.

Each course participant is assigned a supervisor in the 2nd Quarter, with whom they are encouraged to work closely, as they develop their research question(s), abstract, keywords and literature review.

The material dealt with in CTVC (Quarters 1 & 2) is intended to provide a robust theoretical foundation for the Research Project. Students are nonetheless encouraged to continually expand and grow their literature review. This may include academic discourse, as well as other cultural and affective forms drawn from independent research, supervisor input, or other courses such as Professional Practice.

Outcomes

• develop analytical skills (visual and textual)

• develop capacity to structure an argument/analysis

• develop close-reading and comprehension skills

• develop research capacity and language skills (oral and written)

• develop skills to situate arguments/analysis within a relevant theoretical framework(s)

• encourage integration of studio practice(s) and formal academic work

• deepen knowledge of local, African, African diasporic and international art practices and theory

Format

Reading Seminars (on campus / venue: Room 322 & UC7)

Assignments: written & creative

Assessmnet

The Research Project is subject to a cumulative assessment, and is weighted as follows:

Quarter 2: 1 x formative assessment (10%), 1 x summative assessment (30%)

Quarter 3: 1 x formative assessment (20%), 1 x summative assessment (40%)

Open Studios

BA Hons in the field of Fine Art students occupy the space between both undergraduate and postgraduate studies – so while you will be doing the same practical and theoretical classes with the fourth-year students and engage in the crit and assessments with Fine Arts IV students, you will also participate in the postgraduate open studio sessions. As such, even though you will be engaged in the same crit and assessment sessions with Fine Arts IV students, you should also present your practical as part of the postgraduate open studio sessions. Open studios are an opportunity each term for postgraduate students to present their ongoing creative ideas/work to their peers, supervisor(s), staffing body and other invited guests. Students book slots for the open studios with the postgraduate coordinator (Sharlene Khan) in advance and each student is allocated up to an hour to present work. Such sessions are crucial to artistic development and should be welcomed both in terms of getting and giving critical feedback.

Ulwazi

Postgraduate forms, information and previous seminars / workskhops / talks / conferences are archived on the following Ulwazi sites on which you have to self-enrol:

- Fine Art PG courses site:

HMN-WSoA-Fine Art PG-2023

*Departmental course for all Hons, MAFA and PhD students (includes all pg info/forms, seminars/workshops/open studio notification and archive) – students to self-enrol on this module using the following link: https://ulwazi.wits.ac.za/enroll/WJC7CN

- WSOA Postgrad Ulwazi Module

WSOA-POSTGRAD-2023

*Wits School of Arts course for all Hons, MAFA and PhD students (includes all pg info/forms, seminars/workshops) – students to selfenrol on this module using the following link: https://ulwazi.wits.ac.za/enroll/DNLN7R

Timetable

Timeline One Year BA Hons (Full Time)

If you are planning to finish your BA (Hons) in one-year full-time registration, then you will register adn participate as follows:

First Semester:

• Professional Practice in Fine Arts (FINA 4018A)

• Critical Theories and Visual Cultures (FINA4019A)

• Fine Arts IVA (FINA 4020A)

• PG Seminars and Workshop Series

Second Semester:

• Fine Arts IVB (FINA 4021A)

Full Year:

• Research Project (FINA4022A)

• Open Studios

Two Year BA Hons (Part Time)

If you are planning to finish your BA (Hons) over two-years part-time registration, then you will do the following:

Year One:

First Semester:

• Professional Practice in Fine Arts (FINA 4018A)

• Fine Arts IVA (FINA 4020A)

• Open Studios

• PG Seminars and Workshop Series

Second Semester:

• Fine Arts IVB (FINA 4021A)

• Open Studios

Year Two:

First Semester:

• Critical Theories and Visual Cultures (FINA4019A)

• PG Seminars and Workshop Series

Full Year:

• Research Project (FINA4022A)

• Open Studios

3.2 Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE)

NQF Level: 8

Level: 500

Semester: One and two

Prerequisites: A BAFA degree or equivalent by permission of Head of School

Coordinator: Prof David Andrew david.andrew@wits.ac.za

Tel. 011 717 4636

Room 320, 3rd Floor, WSOA

Courses

• Visual Arts - Methodology (FINA 5019A)

• Visual Arts - Teaching Experience (FINA 5020A)

• Learning Area Studies: Arts and Culture (EDUC 5093A)

• Learning Area Teaching Experience: Arts and Culture

(EDUC 5011A)

Contact Periods

There are two sessions per week of two hours duration for the Visual Arts Methodology course. Students meet twice a week for the Learning Area Studies: Arts and Culture course (two hours for each session). The Teaching Experience course takes place for one week in the first quarter, three weeks in the second quarter and six weeks in the third quarter.

Outcome of Course

This Art Education course, incorporating FINA5019 (Visual Arts Methodology), EDUC5093 (Learning Area Studies: Arts and Culture), FINA5020 and EDUC5011 (Teaching Experience), will enable the student to demonstrate conceptual and creative practical and art historical teaching skills, knowledge and values in a range of different art/s education situations. The course aims to enable teachers to act as critical agents for Arts and Culture education in various teaching and learning situations, including the public sphere.

Students will demonstrate the ability to teach and learn as critically reflective practitioners while working in increasingly creative and innovative ways. The course seeks to extend the participant’s subject knowledge base and range of pedagogical strategies for teaching and learning.

Course Format

The first two quarters will concentrate on establishing the necessary platform upon which each artist-educator will be required to position themselves with respect to their role in art/s education. This part of the course will involve interactive sessions within the Department of Visual Arts (DIVA) at the Wits School of Arts and Wits School of Education, and with other institutions and individuals. While drawing on a great deal of international literature, the primary focus of the course will be to locate us within a Southern African context. To this end, students will be required to engage in primary research and materials development and to engage critically with recent National and Provincial Department policy decisions.

The nature of the lectures during the course will model, as far as possible, the interactive and experiential approaches recommended for the teaching Arts and Culture and the subject, Visual Art.

At all times during the course there will be an emphasis on theory informing, and being embedded, in practice.

This will be promoted as a teaching and learning methodology in which the reciprocity of “making” and “reading” is foregrounded. The course aims to develop art/s educators capable of contributing to and leading a radically transformed art/s education practice that challenges current orthodoxies and reconceptualises what art/s education might become in the twenty-first century.

The outline refers generally to Visual Arts Education. This should be seen in the context of a broader, integrated Arts and Culture Education approach.

Students will be placed in positions where they are able to test that which they have explored in “lecture-type” situations by establishing ties with the Wits Art Museum, the Origins Centre, Johannesburg Art Gallery, other galleries, and school and non-governmental organisations, such as the FUNDA Community College.

The FINA5019 course is complemented and informed by the EDUC5093 (Learning Area Studies: Arts and Culture) and the two teaching experience courses FINA5020 and EDUC5101. You will receive a detailed course outline for the Arts and Culture Methodology course during week one of the academic year. Students are encouraged to use material covered in their other Methodology and Education courses to support their Art Education studies.

Satisfactory Performance Requirements

Students are required to attend 80% of the timetabled sessions in the first, second and fourth quarters. During the Teaching Experience courses you are required to be present for the entire teaching programme in your designated school/s (100%). Students who are absent will be excused if they produce a doctor’s certificate. Similarly, students who fail to hand in written assignments on time, or who request extensions must produce a doctor’s certificate or an equivalent.

Expectations

Records of student attendance at timetabled sessions will be kept. The course will be examined on the assumption that students have been attending lectures regularly.

Reading matter is made available for each area of the course. The onus is on students to read all material, and the course will be assessed on the assumption that students have engaged with the literature.

Students will be expected to be familiar with the material presented in lectures and workshops and to be able to discuss issues that have been raised. You will be expected to have both a specific and a broad knowledge of the material covered in the course and to be able to apply theoretical frameworks to a discussion of that material.

Students will be required to do particular readings for some discussion groups, and to be able to enter debate on these readings and on issues raised in the lectures and workshops within the discussion groups.

Students are expected to arrive on time for classes.

The expectations for written work are the same as for the fourth year Critical Theories and Visual Cultures course. Please consult this section of the course guide for referencing requirements.

Please be aware that any form of plagiarism will not be tolerated. Where plagiarism is suspected, the case will be referred to the Wits School of Arts Plagiarism committee. If you are unsure as to what constitutes plagiarism, please consult your lecturer at the beginning of the course.

You will be required to sign a covering document accompanying each of your assignments that states that the work being submitted is your own and is free of any plagiarised material.

Assessment and Assignments

The following serves as a guideline to the Art Methodology assignments for the year:

• An essay paper in the first and second terms chosen from topics provided

Deadline: Last Wednesday of each quarter.

Length of paper: 3000 words, typed (2 x 50=100)

• A major research paper submitted in mid-October.

Length of paper: 5000 words, typed (300)

• A learning programme (grades 10-12) submitted early in October (100)

• A portfolio/reflective journal demonstrating your growth as an arts educator through the course (Deadline: to be announced) (100)

• Two major materials development projects

Deadlines: late March and mid-June, one project in each of the first two quarters (2 x 50=100)

• A project that is part of one of the community-based or public art programmes in Johannesburg (100)

• A range of shorter exercises (4 x 25=100)

• A teaching experience file

Deadline: on completion of Teaching Experience in the third quarter (50)

The above constitutes a coursework mark of 50%. Your final exam equivalent, which you will receive in February, will make up the other 50% of your Visual Art Methodology mark.

You will receive a separate breakdown for the Learning Area Methodology: Arts and Culture course. Similarly, the assessment of the Teaching Experience courses will be discussed with you at the beginning of the PGCE course.

Course Outline

A detailed course outline will be given to you at the start of the Semester.

Venue

The Visual Arts Methodology lectures will take place at a time and venue as agreed upon between staff and students. The venue for these lectures will be in either the Fine Arts Teaching Room, third floor, Wits School of Arts Building or in Room B7, Bohlaleng Block, WSOE campus (first, second and fourth quarters).

3.3 Masters of Arts in Fine Arts

Programme Code: ARA09 / Plan Code: APRAFIA60

NQF Level: 9 / NQF Credits: 180

Courses: FINA8003A

The Masters of Arts in Fine Arts by Dissertation/Research is a practicebased creative programme in which you will be required to produce both a body of creative work and a dissertation. It is a year-long degree full-time and two years part-time.

During the course of the MAFA there are will be three outputs as part of your studies:

• A research proposal (2000-3000 words) presented with your practice-in-progress after 6 months full-time and 12 months part-time registration. For more details, please see on the MAFA research proposal process.

• A body of creative work: The creative work can be staged as one final exam presentaiton or as a series of iterations and inquiries across the degree that are documented and presented for final assessment. There needs to be originality of creative expression and sustained critical inquiry, in relation to the written component. The creative work is presented at the public proposal presentation and as part of a ‘final’ assessment.

• A written dissertation (20 000-25 000 words): We are open to experimentation with forms of the written research, as long as this meets the academic requirements of the Masters degree. The final assessment of the degree is based on the integrity of the body of creative work and the dissertation as a sustained focused research inquiry and is examined by examiners internal and external to Wits. We emphasize that the MAFA experience, however, should not just focus on the final exhibition and dissertation produced at the end of the degree but, instead, there should be a consistent commitment to making, research, writing and reading as process, producing iterative outcomes for both research and practice over the course of the oneor two-year degree.

Regular meetings and submissions to supervisors are important steps in the degree. Open studios are organised in each term over two days for students to engage peers and staff in critical feedback. Even if a student is not producing traditional studio-based work there should be some sense of development and regular showing of work-in-progress within open studios to peers and supervisors.

MAFA Research Proposal Process

The Faculty Graduate Studies Committee or a panel, formally appointed by the Faculty Graduate Studies Committee, must consider the recommendations regarding worthiness of Masters of Arts by Fine Arts candidate of the School, after an initial period of registration (6 months full-time or 12 months part-time) in order to decide whether to allow their registration to continue. A candidate is required to submit their research documents, from this initial registration period, demonstrating a focused and well researched topic that is elucidated in both practice and written form. For the proposal process, candidates can choose from three presentation options:

Option 1:

• Present a body of practical work that embodies / speaks to / elucidates the trajectory of their research – this may be presented in physical form or in documentation;

• Present one draft chapter of the dissertation (approximately 20003000 words). This chapter can be written as historical, content, textual or visual analysis or a creative / performative response to your practice (and research focus) but must amply demonstrate the manner in which literature reviews are incorporated into writing in our field, while attending to the following: title of research; identifying a focused research question; stating the aims and rationale of the research; problems and gaps identified that the research is responding to; research methods employed (this includes creative research); ethical considerations of the research;

• A comprehensive bibliography of sources identified on the research area;

• An abstract of no more than 250 words, including 5-6 keywords;

• Chapter outlines: Summary of what each chapter in the dissertation will cover (approximately 250 words for each chapter).

Option 2:

• Present a body of practical work that embodies / speaks to / elucidates the trajectory of their research - this may be presented in physical form or in documentation;

• Present an experimental draft of one chapter or piece of writing that exemplifies the writing style of the dissertation (approximately 20003000 words);

• Present a two-page document detailing the following clearly: title of research; state the focused research question; the aims and rationale of the research; problems and gaps identified that the research is responding to; research methods employed (this includes creative research); ethical considerations of the research;

• A comprehensive bibliography of sources identified on the research area;

• An abstract of no more than 250 words, including 5-6 keywords;

• Chapter outlines: Summary of what each chapter in the dissertation will cover (approximately 250 words for each chapter).

Option 3:

• Present a body of practical work that embodies / speaks to / elucidates the trajectory of their research - this may be presented in physical form or in documentation;

• Present a traditional research (approximately 2000-3000 words), which outlines the research question, gaps in research identified, literature review, research methods employed and ethical considerations. Research Question/Problem: Should have a central focused question, with sub-question. Literature Review (‘literature’ here is defined broadly as a different format texts including visual, audio, etc.): Complex, rich literature review that is in dialogue and supports the student’s questioning. Students should show an understanding of the epistemological roots of the material under examination, engaging consciously with the foundational knowledge in their discipline or interdisciplinary field. The major theories employed should be drawn from primary texts, rather than a reliance on just secondary sources. Research Methods: Dissertation students should show an understanding of the history and development of their chosen methods and their application. Theoretical Orientation and Framework: Proposals should contain a theoretical framework and state its theoretical orientation. Data and ethical considerations need to align with your theoretical framework.

• A comprehensive bibliography of sources identified on the research area;

• An abstract of no more than 250 words, including 5-6 keywords;

• Chapter outlines: Summary of what each chapter in the dissertation will cover (approximately 250 words for each chapter).

*If a student chooses Option 2 (experimental chapter), then the twopage document the student hands, in addition to the above 2000-3000 chapter - detailing the title of research, identifying a focused research question, stating the aims/rationale of the research, problems and gaps identified that the research is responding to, research methods employed and ethics consideration - is submitted as part of their individual ethics application via the University Ethics system.

NOTE: Within the first 3 months of registration, all candidates will be required by the Department to present their research topic and initial creative investigations to their peers and staff through the open studio process so that they are given feedback on their developing ideas.

Candidates are also required by Faculty to present their proposals to the staff and student body to solicit feedback on their ideas in a public presentation - it is part of the Department’s process that the proposal reader(s) be present to give verbal feedback on the proposal presentation, which should be taken into account by the candidate before final submission of the proposal is made by the candidate to Faculty, which sends the proposal officially to the proposal readers.

Reading Groups and Writing Circles

The postgraduate community have developed their own peer-led reading groups. Students are encouraged to continue attending and forming their own focused reading groups to attend to their research needs, including that of writing where necessary. The Wits Writing Centre runs writing circles, which postgraduate students can attend, as an individual or as a writing group. Please contact the Writing Centre should you be interested.

Timeline

One Year MAFA (Full Time)

If you are planning to finish your MAFA in one-year full-time registration, then consider the following schedule:

Seminars and Workshops

Attend first term PG seminars and workshops and use opportunities to present your proposal ideas, chapter plans, abstracts, etc. Look over the year’s seminar and group programme, paying particular attention to methodology and academic writing workshops that you feel may be helpful to your research interest and choose to attend those, as well as reading and writing groups within and outside the Department that can assist and support you throughout the year and commit to those on a regular basis. Recorded presentations from past years can be found under the PG seminars’ archive on Ulwazi under the following PG courses (one must self-enrol on these sites):

HMN-WSoA-Fine Art PG-2023 https://ulwazi.wits.ac.za/enroll/WJC7CN

WSOA-POSTGRAD-2023 https://ulwazi.wits.ac.za/enroll/DNLN7R

Research Proposal and Open Studios

Aim to submit your research proposal within 3-4 months of your registration. This is done in consultation with your supervisor(s). You will be required to present your research ideas in a public presentation to staff, students and the proposal reader(s) to receive feedback and, thereafter, you will be able to submit your written proposal to Faculty, which is then passed officially to your proposal reader. As part of this presentation, you should also have shown your practice-in-progress and received feedback from peers, staff and your proposal reader(s). After the research proposal has been accepted (usually within a month of being submitted), the student is given formal notification to continue with the degree by Faculty – you would have continued working on practice and written research while awaiting the proposal reader’s feedback and will incorporate such feedback going forward. Open studios are an opportunity each term for students to present their ongoing creative ideas/work to their peers, supervisor, staffing body and other invited guests. Students book with the postgraduate coordinator in advance and each student is allocated up to an hour to present work to their peer and staff body for critical engagement. Students can also use this opportunity to present their MAFA proposals.

Final Exhibition and Dissertation

It is encouraged that the final exhibition take place before the dissertation submitted, so that work can be reflected on in the writing. Alternatively, the exhibition can take place after the hand-in of the written paper, but preferably not more than 1-3 month later. Aim to hand in the dissertation around November/December of the year of registration. At the end of the year (December), you and your supervisor will be sent a report directly by Faculty to fill on your progress, noting any difficulties you’ve had thus far - it is important to fill this form out honestly.

The dissertation should be handed in by no later than 15 February of the following year or you might liable for fees.

Change of Supervisor and Submission without Supervisor’s Consent

While it is not advisable for students to submit without their supervisor’s consent, sometimes relations between a supervisor and student may break down. While, in the first instance, the Departmental postgraduate coordinator should be approached well in advance to intervene where possible in assisting both supervisor and student (or alternatively where this is not ideal the Head of the Fine Art Department can be approached), where there is an irrevocable breakdown in a relationship, a change of supervisor can be requested. Where this happens close to submission for examination and there is contestation over the submission for examination itself, students who intend to submit without their supervisor’s consent are required by the Faculty to submit a motivation THREE MONTHS prior to submission date to the Senior Faculty officer Phillimon Mnisi (Phillimon.Mnisi@wits.ac.za).

Two Years MAFA (Part-time)

If you are planning to finish your MAFA in two years part-time registration, then consider the following schedule: ideas in a public presentation to staff, students and proposal reader to receive feedback and, thereafter, you will be able to submit your written proposal to Faculty, which is then passed to your proposal reader. As part of this presentation, you should also have shown your practice-in-progress and received feedback from peers, staff and your proposal reader. After the research proposal has been accepted (usually within a month of being submitted), the student is given formal notification to continue with the degree by Faculty – you would have continued working on practice and written research while awaiting the the proposal reader’s feedback and will incorporate such feedback going forward.

Year 1:

Seminars and Workshops

Attend PG seminars and workshops and use opportunities to present your proposal ideas, chapter plans, abstracts, etc. Look over the year’s seminar and workshop programme and attend as many methodology and academic writing workshops that you feel may be helpful to your research, as well as reading and writing groups within and outside the Department that can assist and support you throughout the year and commit to those on a regular basis. Recorded presentations from past years can be found under the PG seminars’ archive on Ulwazi under the following PG courses (one must self-enrol on these sites):

HMN-WSoA-Fine Art PG-2023: https://ulwazi.wits.ac.za/enroll/WJC7CN

WSOA-POSTGRAD-2023: https://ulwazi.wits.ac.za/enroll/DNLN7R

Research Proposal and Open Studios

Aim to submit your research proposal within 6-9 months of your registration (although, as a part-time student you have up to 12 months to do so of your registration). The proposal is done in consultation with your supervisor(s). You will be required to present your research

Open studios are an opportunity each term for students to present their ongoing creative ideas/work to their peers, supervisor, staffing body and other invited guests. Students book with the postgraduate coordinator in advance and each student is allocated up to an hour to present work to their peer and staff body for critical engagement. Students can also use this opportunity to present their MAFA proposals.

Year 2: Final Exhibition and Dissertation

The second year of the MA is a self-directed year in which students focus on producing a body of work and writing their dissertation. It is encouraged that the final exhibition take place before the dissertation submitted, so that work can be reflected on in the writing. Alternatively, the exhibition can take place after the hand-in of the dissertation, but preferably not more than 1-3 months later. Aim to hand in the dissertation around November/December of the year of registration. At the end of the year (December), you and your supervisor will be sent a MA report directly by Faculty to fill on your progress, noting any difficulties you’ve had thus far – it is important to fill this form out honestly. The dissertation should be handed in by no later than 15 February of the following year or you may be liable for fees.

Ulwazi

Postgraduate forms, information and previous seminars / workskhops / talks / conferences are archived on the following Ulwazi sites on which you have to self-enrol:

- Fine Art PG courses site:

HMN-WSoA-Fine Art PG-2023

*Departmental course for all Hons, MAFA and PhD students (includes all pg info/forms, seminars/workshops/open studio notification and archive) – students to self-enrol on this module using the following link: https://ulwazi.wits.ac.za/enroll/WJC7CN

- WSOA Postgrad Ulwazi Module

WSOA-POSTGRAD-2023

*Wits School of Arts course for all Hons, MAFA and PhD students (includes all pg info/forms, seminars/workshops) – students to selfenrol on this module using the following link: https://ulwazi.wits.ac.za/enroll/DNLN7R

The University also has a helpful Ulwazi module that introduces you to the University setting, research and how to use digital platforms. You will see this module preloaded on your Ulwazi profile. HYLO details here: https://ulwazi.wits.ac.za/courses/102

Wits University Libguides offers a portal to assist researchers/ postgraduate students in the research process. You will find information on the whole research process, publishing and other related topics.

Scholarly Research and Related Resources: Intro & Definitions https://libguides.wits.ac.za/Scholarly_Research_Resources

3.4 Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Programme Code: ADA02 / Plan Code: AFA80FINA

NQF Level exit: 10 / NQF Credits: 360

Course: FINA9001A

The Wits School of Arts offers a Doctor of Philosophy in the Department of Fine Art. The following points are taken from the Faculty Standing Orders for Wits School of Arts and a PhD in Creative Work:

The PhD in Creative Work thesis may take the form of performance and/or a body of creative work plus a written text which contextualises the work critically and defends its originality.

There must be a coherent relationship between the creative work and the thesis, in such a way that the two components can be assessed as an integrated whole. This does not necessarily mean that the thesis must be a direct commentary on the creative work. It must, however, serve to contextualise the creative work critically and enable the examiners to assess its originality. This may take the form of one major project or a number of smaller, related or diverse projects.

The length of the thesis should normally be between 30 000 and 40 000 words. The thesis must fulfil the central criterion for the award of the PhD, that it must be a ‘substantial contribution to the advancement of knowledge in the subject chosen’.

In addition, the following criteria have been approved by the University: a) The creative work must be the equivalent of a year’s full-time work. b) The thesis (i.e., the creative work/performance plus written text) must make an original and intellectually articulate contribution to the understanding of contemporary performing and/or visual arts. c) The creative work must be contextualised in relation to other forms of cultural production and contribute to the advancement of the discipline and critical debate in the field. d) The creative work must exemplify and locate the ideas in conjunction with the written text.

The PhD is marked by both an awareness of the historical framework in which the study is located, as well offering an original contribution to knowledge production.

During the course of the PhD there will be three outputs as part of your studies:

• A research proposal (4 000-5 000 words): The research proposal is presented with your practice-in-progress after 6 months of full time registration and 12 months part-time registration. Please see below for more details on the PhD research proposal process.

• A body of creative work: The creative work can be staged as one final iteration or as a series of iterations and inquiries across three years that are documented and presented for examination.

• A written thesis (30 000-40 000 words): While the PhD thesis can present more typical formats and structures associated with academic writing, and sound research and argumentation are demanded at this level of scholarship, both form of writing and presentation are open to experimentation in the field of visual arts. You have until the 15th of February after the third year after your registration to submit your thesis and practical to Faculty.

The final assessment of the degree, done by 2 local examiners and one international examiner, is based on the originality of the body of creative work and the written thesis as original contributions to knowledge and creative expression. We emphasize that the PhD experience, however, should not only focus on the final exhibition and thesis, but also on the long journey of making, research, writing and reading as a continuous reflexive and critical process for both research and practice over the course of the three-year degree.

Research proposals should be submitted to two proposal readers within 6 months of full-time registration and 12 months part-time registration. Regular meetings and written submissions to supervisors are important steps in this process. Open studios are organised in each term over two days for students to engage peers and staff in critical feedback and PhD students are encouraged to show work and present their research ideas regularly.

• An abstract of no more than 250 words, including 5-6 keywords;

• Chapter outlines: Summary of what each chapter in the dissertation will cover (approximately 500 words for each chapter).

Option 2:

• Present a body of practical work that embodies / speaks to / elucidates the trajectory of their research – this may be presented in physical form or in documentation;

PhD Research Proposal Process

The Faculty Graduate Studies Committee or a panel, formally appointed by the Faculty Graduate Studies Committee, must consider the recommendations regarding worthiness of Doctor of Philosophy by Creative Work by Fine Arts candidate of the School, after an initial period of registration (6 months full-time or 12 months part-time) in order to decide whether to allow their registration to continue. A candidate is required to submit their research documents from this initial registration period, demonstrating a focused and well researched topic that is elucidated in both practice and written form. For the proposal process, candidates can choose from three presentation options:

Option 1:

• Present a body of practical work that embodies / speaks to / elucidates the trajectory of their research – this may be presented in physical form or in documentation;

• Present one draft chapter of the dissertation (approximately 40005000 words). This chapter can be written as historical, content, textual or visual analysis or a creative / performative response to your practice (and research focus) but must amply demonstrate the manner in which literature reviews are incorporated into writing in our field, while attending to the following: title of research; identifying a focused research question; stating the aims and rationale of the research; problems and gaps identified that the research is responding to; research methods employed (this includes creative research); ethical considerations of the research;

• A comprehensive bibliography of sources identified on the research area;

• Present an experimental draft of one chapter or piece of writing that exemplifies the writing style of the dissertation (approximately 40005000 words);

• Present a two-page document detailing the following clearly: title of research; state the focused research question; the aims and rationale of the research; problems and gaps identified that the research is responding to; research methods employed (this includes creative research); ethical considerations of the research;

• A comprehensive bibliography of sources identified on the research area;

• An abstract of no more than 250 words, including 5-6 keywords;

• Chapter outlines: Summary of what each chapter in the dissertation will cover (approximately 500 words for each chapter).

Option 3:

• Present a body of practical work that embodies / speaks to / elucidates the trajectory of their research – this may be presented in physical form or in documentation;

• Present a research proposal (approximately 4000-5000 words). Research Question/Problem: should have a central focused question, with sub-questions. The proposal should discuss the practice as a centrality and the research question needs to encompass all aspects of the research. Literature Review (‘literature’ here is defined broadly as a different format texts including visual, audio, etc.): Complex, rich literature review that is in dialogue and supports the student’s questioning. Students should show an understanding of the epistemological roots of the material under examination, engaging consciously with the foundational knowledge in their discipline or inter-disciplinary field. The major theories employed should be drawn from primary texts, rather than a reliance on just secondary sources.

Research Methods: PhD students should show an understanding of the history, development and application of their chosen research methods. Theoretical Orientation and Framework: Proposals should contain a theoretical framework and state its theoretical orientation. Data and ethical considerations need to align with your theoretical framework.

• A comprehensive bibliography of sources identified on the research area;

• An abstract of no more than 250 words, including 5-6 keywords;

• Chapter outlines: Summary of what each chapter in the dissertation will cover (approximately 500 words for each chapter).

*If a student chooses Option 2 (experimental chapter), then the twopage document the student hands, in addition to the above 4000-5000 chapter - detailing the title of research, identifying a focused research question, stating the aims/rationale of the research, problems and gaps identified that the research is responding to, research methods employed and ethics consideration - is submitted as part of their individual ethics application via the University Ethics system..

NOTE: Within the first 3 months of registration, all candidates will be required by the Department to present their research topic and initial creative investigations to their peers and staff through the open studio process so that they are given feedback on their developing ideas.

Candidates are also required by Faculty to present their proposals to the staff and student body to solicit feedback on their ideas in a public presentation - it is part of the Department’s process that the two proposal readers be present to give verbal feedback on the proposal presentation, which should be taken into account by the candidate before final submission of the proposal is made by the candidate to Faculty, who then officially sends the proposal to the proposal readers.

Change of Supervisor and Submission without Supervisor’s Consent

While it is not advisable for students to submit without their supervisor’s consent, sometimes relations between a supervisor and student may break down. While, in the first instance, the Departmental postgraduate coordinator should be approached well in advance to intervene where possible in assisting both supervisor and student (or alternatively where this is not ideal the Head of the Fine Art Department can be approached), where there is an irrevocable breakdown in a relationship, a change of supervisor can be requested. Where this happens close to submission for examination and there is contestation over the submission for examination itself, students who intend to submit without their supervisor’s consent are required by the Faculty to submit a motivation THREE MONTHS prior to submission to the Senior Faculty officer Phillimon Mnisi (Phillimon.Mnisi@wits.ac.za).

Seminars and Workshops

The WSoA-Fine Arts Creative Research Programme is aimed at all postgraduate students in the Department of Fine Arts. However, there may be focused methodology and practice-based workshops run specifically for PhD students throughout the year. Attend as many postgraduate seminars and workshops as possible and use opportunities to present your proposal and chapter ideas, chapter plans, publications, etc. Look over the year’s seminar and workshop programme, paying particular attention to methodology and academic writing workshops that you feel may be helpful to your research interest. Recorded presentations from past years can be found under the PG seminars’ archive on Ulwazi under the following PG courses (one must self-enrol on these sites):

HMN-WSoA-Fine Art PG-2023: https://ulwazi.wits.ac.za/enroll/WJC7CN

WSOA-POSTGRAD-2023: https://ulwazi.wits.ac.za/enroll/DNLN7R

Open Studios

PhD students are expected to present their work as part of the open studio days. Each student is allocated up to an hour to present work to their peer and staff body for critical engagement. Try to present at least once a semester. These sessions also help us think through presentation possibilities each time - thus, presentation itself becomes a discursive, reflexive exercise. Students can also use this opportunity to present their PhD proposals.

Reading Groups and Writing Circles

The postgraduate community have developed their own peer-led reading groups. Students are encouraged to continue attending and forming their own focused reading and writing groups to attend to their research needs. The Wits Writing Centre runs writing circles, which postgraduate students can attend, as an individual or as a writing group. Please contact the Writing Centre should you be interested.

Ulwazi

Postgraduate forms, information and previous seminars / workskhops / talks / conferences are archived on the following Ulwazi sites on which you have to self-enrol:

- Fine Art PG courses site:

HMN-WSoA-Fine Art PG-2023: https://ulwazi.wits.ac.za/enroll/WJC7CN

- WSOA Postgrad Ulwazi Module

WSOA-POSTGRAD-2023: https://ulwazi.wits.ac.za/enroll/DNLN7R