Doctor of Art and Design

Purpose

The Doctor of Art and Design provides the opportunity to contribute original knowledge to a chosen field of specialisation. On completion of this qualification, the graduate will have acquired specialist knowledge in their chosen field and proficiency in criticality with regard to existing research practices and discourses. The candidate will have contributed to the knowledge base of her or his field and be recognised as an expert therein. Graduates will be able to disseminate their research findings in the various for: through publication, participation in conferences, convening research areas, etc.

This qualification lastly addresses the imperatives of ethical and professional practice within academia and the creative industries-based knowledge economy. Accordingly, graduates should be able to critically contribute to the development of ethical standards in their chosen fields of specialisation and in academia.

Upon completion of the qualification. A qualifying learner will be able to

1 Conceptualise and initiate new research and research projects in order to generate original knowledge or innovative practice as well as scholarship and academic discourses in a particular field, discipline or practice.

1. Demonstrate the ability to apply appropriate and creative methods, processes or technologies and specialist knowledge in critically reflexive ways to complex practical and theoretical problems.
2. Take accountability for the knowledge produced and disseminated and for autonomous ethical decisions; the ability to critically contribute to the development of ethical standards in academia and the creative industries based knowledge economy.
3. Provide evidence of proficiency in accessing, processing and managing information in order to achieve relevant research aims. This entails the ability to analyse and synthesise incomplete and inconsistent information or data in order to generate original insights

Rationale

The Doctor of Art and Design is a 360 credit, research based module on level 10 of the NQF. The qualification is offered in order to address the following needs: firstly, as a research based qualification, this offering provides learners with the opportunity to apply critical, conceptual and problem solving skills toward contributing original knowledge to the fields of design (including Fashion Design, Integrated Communication Design, Interior Design, Jewellery Design and Surface Design), the Applied Arts (such as ceramics, glass, and fibre arts), and the Visual Arts (including painting, sculpture, printmaking, and commercial photography), depending on the elected module.

The Doctor of Art and Design is thus unique in terms of the range of possibilities offered to candidates across several disciplines The qualification has, furthermore, been designed with the needs of academia as it interfaces with the creative industries sector in mind: South Afri-can society requires an expansion of academically trained professionals who can contribute to the knowledge economy within the creative industries sector, across the disciplined listed above, and within academia.

Occupations, jobs or areas of activity in which graduates will operate include

• Self employment: establishing a business as a fine artist or applied artist (focussing on glass, ceramics, or fibre arts), or designer in the fields of information design, fashion design, interior design, jewellery design, surface design, and graphic design), or in commercial photography.
• A career as an independent practitioner in information / fashion / interior / jewellery / surface and graphic design; fine arts (including painting, sculpture, and printmaking); applied art practice (including a producer of glass, ceramic or fibre art artefacts); or commercial photography.
• A research-based career at a tertiary institution, the public sector or the creative industries.

Lastly, this qualification is in line with the objectives of the NQF

• It fits the NQF framework.
• It provides access to academic training within the fields of art and design.
• The qualification is in line with government policies to provide the necessary professional career paths for learners.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The institution has an approved Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy which is applicable to Learners who do not meet the minimum entrance requirements.

RPL for a research Doctorate degree is limited access and not to provide exemption or credits towards the qualification.

Entry Requirements

• Master's degree in a relevant field of study at NQF Level 9.

And

• Candidates should possess adequate professional knowledge and skills for admission to the qualification.

There are five elective modules within the current qualification (Doctor of Art and

Design), namely

• Thesis: Fashion Design and Technology, 360 Credits.
• Thesis: Integrated Communication Design, 360 Credits.
• Thesis: Fine and Applied Arts, 360 Credits.
• Thesis: Interior Design, 360 Credits.
• Thesis: Commercial Photography, 360 Credits.

1 Conceptualise and initiate new research and research projects in order to generate original knowledge or innovative practice as well as scholarship and academic discourses in a particular field, discipline or practice.

1. Demonstrate the ability to apply appropriate and creative methods, processes or technologies and specialist knowledge in critically reflexive ways to complex practical and theoretical problems.
2. Take accountability for the knowledge produced and disseminated and for autonomous ethical decisions; the ability to critically contribute to the development of ethical standards in academia and the creative industries-based knowledge economy.
3. Provide evidence of proficiency in accessing, processing and managing information in order to achieve relevant research aims. This entails the ability to analyse and synthesise incomplete and inconsistent information or data in order to generate original insights.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Illustrate the ability to formulate a complex research problem/s to contribute original knowledge to a specific area within a chosen field of expertise.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Select, combine, or devise relevant, research methods appropriate to addressing the identified research problem/s.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Apply rigorous standards with regards to: plagiarism; the acknowledgement of resources ad pre-existing ideas; research ethics; and the responsibilities that devolve from conducting and disseminating original research.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4.

• Critique existing information / data and generate and manage original knowledge in a way that demonstrates the ability to systematise or otherwise synthesise incomplete, inconsistent or conflicting information / data.

Integrated Assessment

A presentation of the research proposal is given, and the learner's understanding of research processes is conveyed by the ability to:

• Access, process, manage, produce and communicate information.
• Develop appropriate processes of information gathering and an ability to validate the sources of information.
• Evaluate manage and communicate the information.
• Design and present a logical, well-organized presentation with clear main ideas and transitions.

Formative Assessment

Regular supervisor / feedback reports provide the candidate with suggestions for further work and development of the research project.

A finalised research proposal is produced and the learners' understanding is conveyed by the ability to

• Conduct a literature review
• Formulate a research problem
• Formulate a hypothesis
• Formulate aims
• Set objectives
• Schedule time
• Draw up a budget where applicable
• Correctly and consistently cite and reference resources.
• Write up an extended research project in an academic register.
• Conceptualise, produce and curate a body of work for exhibition/presentation where applicable.

Summative Assessments

• The concluding dissertation, evaluated by an external examiner, serves as a summative assessment of the learner's capacity to perform independent research, critically evaluate literature, and contribute to their chosen of study.