Master of Philosophy in Interdisciplinary Arts Studies

Purpose

The purpose of the Master of Philosophy in Interdisciplinary Arts Studies qualification is to consolidate and deepen learners' expertise in interdisciplinary approaches to arts research and to develop research capacity in the execution of interdisciplinary, artistic, and practice-based research through independent, project-based learning under the supervision of a dedicated supervisor or team of supervisors.

The qualification fosters the development of the enquiring mind, by creating a pathway for academic research within a multidisciplinary field in the arts and encourages learners to become critical and creative thinkers.

Interdisciplinary research will enhance knowledge production and deliver research leaders in a diverse environment.

Further, the broad interdisciplinary nature of the research and theoretical study will encourage learners to become innovative problem-solvers.

Upon completion of the qualification, qualifying learners will be able to

• Demonstrate a comprehensive, systematic, and integrated knowledge of interdisciplinary arts research and practice by successfully executing a research project.
• Demonstrate a coherent and critical understanding of the principles, theories and fundamentals underpinning interdisciplinary practice by successfully executing a research project in interdisciplinary arts.
• Critique current research and advanced scholarship on interdisciplinary art practices and make sound theoretical judgments.
• Select and apply a range of research methodologies and methods/techniques in artistic and scholarly research in the arts.
• Identify, analyse, and address complex problems in interdisciplinary art production and analysis using a range of routine and some advanced skills, including creative interventions, conceptual and/or evidence-based solutions and theory-driven arguments.
• Present and communicate creative products, ideas, and texts effectively to a range of audiences.

Rationale

The qualification responds to the growing need for advanced training in interdisciplinary research in the arts that sits at the interstices of academic disciplines and incorporates artistic and practice-based approaches. The qualification is aimed at both practicing artists and learners following a more conventional academic trajectory in the study of visual arts, music, performance, theatre, and performance studies, or historical, philosophical, sociological, or anthropological reflections on art practices. Graduates of the qualification will benefit from this expanded definition of arts research with applicability in diverse industries and arts-related fields.

Through an interdisciplinary approach to co-supervision that will draw together scholars and practitioners from different disciplinary backgrounds and different entities in the faculty of arts and social sciences in delivering content and sharing knowledge, the qualification will offer networked and collaborative teaching and learning.

This advanced qualification will seek to address opportunities for potential research and collaborative initiatives and/or co-supervision focussing on interdisciplinary arts research and the influence of arts on debates on democracy, human rights, and social justice, thereby producing research for impact.

Purposeful partnerships and inclusive networks will be fostered since postgraduate learners will have the opportunity to work within existing AOI projects that engage the communities we serve in a purposeful partnership.

Ultimately the qualification will add value to the institution as a thriving space for academic rigour, community engagement and intentional transformation.

RPL for access

• Learners who do not meet the minimum entrance requirements or the required qualification that is at the same NQF level as the qualification required for admission may be considered for admission through RPL.
• To be considered for admission in the qualification based on RPL, applicants should provide evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that they have acquired the relevant knowledge, skills, and competencies through formal, non-formal and/or informal learning to cope with the qualification expectations.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Bachelor of Arts Honours in Culture and Media Studies, NQF Level 9.

Or

• Bachelor of Arts Honours in Music, NQF Level 9.

Or

• Bachelor of Arts Honours in Drama Studies, NQF Level 9.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 9 totalling 180 Credits.

Compulsory Module, NQF level 9, totalling 180 credits.

• Interdisciplinary Arts Studies Thesis, 180 Credits.

1. Demonstrate a comprehensive, systematic, and integrated knowledge of interdisciplinary arts research and practice by successfully executing a research project.
2. Demonstrate a coherent and critical understanding of the principles, theories and fundamentals underpinning interdisciplinary practice by successfully executing a research project in interdisciplinary arts.
3. Critique current research and advanced scholarship on interdisciplinary art practices and make sound theoretical judgments.
4. Select and apply a range of research methodologies and methods/techniques in artistic and scholarly research in the arts.
5. Identify, analyse, and address complex problems in interdisciplinary art production and analysis using a range of routine and some advanced skills, including creative interventions, conceptual and/or evidence-based solutions and theory-driven arguments.
6. Present and communicate creative products, ideas, and texts effectively to a range of audiences.

The following Associated Assessment Criteria are assessed in an integrated manner across all the Exit Level Outcomes

• Adequately delaminate and conceptualize the field and subject of research.
• Adequately command the relevant research method and familiarity with the relevant literature.
• Present the material in a logical, clear and systematic manner.
• Document properly and support the results of the research.
• Contribute the study to the field of research and apply acceptable linguistic and stylistic presentation.
• Apply a number of improvements and corrections that should be made to acceptable and ethical standards.

INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT

The assessment strategy for the qualification consists of the completion of a full master's thesis. The teaching, learning and assessment strategies for the qualification therefore consist of supervision of individual learners throughout the entire research process, providing regular feedback, and culminating in the learner's completion of a written thesis.

The thesis aligns with the regulations for research modules of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and is offered in both the traditional thesis and the integrated arts-based format.

Formative Assessment

Formative assessment will occur in the form of supervisory sessions and the monitoring of the research progress and regular discussions and evaluations on different components of the thesis, i.e., allowing a learner to submit the thesis chapter by chapter and providing sustainable feedback.

The traditional format applies to a thesis as a report on research on one central and coherent research question that is examined as a single work.

Summative Assessment

The report should be thoroughly substantiated. The acceptable length of an examination report on a master's thesis is about 1000 words.

The integrated format, as artistic research, includes creative work as an integrated component of the master's research.

The creative work may include

• exhibitions
• installations
• compositions
• performances
• portfolio
• literary works
• translations and any other form of creative work recognised as such by the faculty.

In recognising integrated creative-critical research, the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences aims to encourage and promote scholarship that integrates original, independent artistic research.

For critical-creative projects, the body of research that comprises an integration of creative and scholarly work is examined in its totality and the study should therefore show evidence of its creative and conceptual integration. Examiners should be given access to those creative and conceptual components that demonstrate such integration. The examiners will evaluate whether the candidate's work has demonstrated independent research on a doctoral level, considering the overall project and will report on their findings in their examiners' reports.