Code of Conduct

Research Question/Problem: Should have a central focused thorough question, with a larger number of subsidiary 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: Dissertation students should show an understanding of the history and development of their chosen methods. Theoretical Orientation and Theoretical 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 to hand in an experimental chapter that does not conform to academic writing, then the following is proposed: the student hands in addition to the above 4000-5000 chapter, chapter outlines, abstract, bibliography, a two page document detailing the following clearly: 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 in the research.

Ethics Consideration: PhD students will supply the abstract and chapter (and if necessary the two page document) 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 through their student portal and the proposal is then sent via Faculty officially to the proposal reader(s).

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 supervisors and students (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 if submitting to the Senior Faculty officer (Phillimon.Mnisi@wits.ac.za).

Seminars and Workshops

The postgraduate seminar programme is aimed at all postgraduate students in the Department of Fine Arts. However, there will be focused doctoral methodology and practice-based workshops run specifically for PhD students throughout the year. Provisional dates have been set, but these will be negotiated with the group directly by the postgraduate coordinator at beginning of each semester as many