Reading, Writing & Research Methods

Reading, Writing, and Research Methodologies 2016-17

Led by Steve Rushton (trimester 1&2) and Steve Rushton & Kate Briggs (trimester 3)

Handbook description: "The Reading, Writing, and Research Methodologies Seminar is tailored towards (further) developing research methods within the first year of this master. By establishing a solid foundation of research skills, it will eventually prepare students for their Graduate research in the second year. Through reading core theoretical texts, they will establish a common vocabulary and set of references to work from. They will learn the practice of classic ‘essayistic methodologies’, including close reading, annotation, description and notation, students learn to survey a body of literature, filter what is relevant to their research and create comparative pieces of analysis. The seminar helps students to establish methodical drafting processes for their texts, where they can develop ideas further and structure their use of notes and references. The course takes as axiomatic that the perceived division between ‘practice’ and ‘theory’ is essentially an illusion."

Curriculum:

The seminar over the two trimesters will involve:

(a.) Identifying the object of your research: description and analysis of your work

(b.) Contextualizing your work through description and reflection on contemporary and historical practices.

(c.) Identify research material key to your practice.

(d.) Synopsis and annotation of key texts

(e.) Writing machines: creating methods for group and individual writing.

Throughout, there will be an emphasis on working collectively, whether in a larger discussion group or in smaller reading and writing groups.

Outcome: Text on Method

The specific outcome for the RW&RM seminar of 2016-2017 will be a 1500 word text which reflects on your own method and situates your work in relation to a broader artistic and cultural context. The various texts produced within the RW&RM seminar will serve as source material for your text on method. In common with all modules on the course RW&RM serves to support the other elements of the course (Self-directed Research, Issues in Art & Theory, Practice-Group Critiques &c.). Therefore, the text on method will inform your Self-Evaluation at the end of the third trimester and provide the basis for your Graduate Project Proposal that you will produce in the fourth trimester.

Here are the Text on Method guidelines; and here is the link to previous texts on method: '''FINAL VERSIONS''' deadline 6th May

Wiki Basic style sheet

Titles and works = italics

Essays = Title in Caps

Notation = Harvard System (writer, page number) = (Smith, 26)

URL = make link

Some tips on normative writing

Essay guide

general tips

Active / passive mode of address Orwell's Politics and the English Language &c

Session Three 10 Nov

10:00- 11:00

Meet in project space for update with Steve

Feedback from readers (continued from last session)

In groups of 2

(1) give feedback on the second draft of the What? How? Why? texts.

(2) Make edits to your text and upload changes

Session: weaving research strands, making collective notes

Task three

11:00-17:00

Select three things

1) a piece of media (YouTube clip, film, TV show)

2) a text you are reading which has a useful relation to your work

3) a work of art (by another) which delights or infuriates you

Make a link to media, text &c (where possible) here:

https://pad.pzimediadesign.nl/p/Steve_Rushton

Bring a lap top

( When we discuss the texts you choose, Steve will outline handy note taking technique)

Outcome of Session Three

Please upload your wiki content on a new page here

Three things Sophie V

Three things Anne

Three things Collette

Three things Larisa

Three things Anastasia

Three things Katharina

Session Two 27 Oct

Task Two:

10:00 Intro

10:00 - 12:00

Describe three of your works

for each work describe

What (100 words max)

How (100 words max)

Why (100 words max)

300 word description of three works = 900 words (max)

12:00

Outcome of Session Two - link:

Outcome 26 Oct What, How, Why

12:15 - 13:00

In groups of three,

Read each other's texts

Readers: give feedback (what were you given to understand by the text? how can it be improved to make it clearer?)

Writer: remain silent, do not try to defend the text, concentrate on what the text is actually communicating to your readers.

Make notes of your reader's comments

13:00 LUNCH

14:00 Continue reading in groups and making notes

15:00 Make changes to your text

Keep original draft

17:00 Meet in large group to review and to wind up

Steve will introduce next session.

17:30 FINISH

Session One: 13 Oct

10:00: Introduction to RW&RM by Steve Rushton

(a) What happens in the seminar?

(b) How does this fit in with the other aspects of the program?

(c) How does the the seminar feed into the course over two years?

For every session there is a different task, which employs a different writing method. I will set no assignments outside of the class, but you must commit to trying the methods I suggest for at least the day of the seminar. Over the three trimesters you will accumulate a collection of texts and approaches to writing which serve as a resource as you go into the second year.

10:30: Steve will outline the task for this session:

www.servinglibrary.org/space

11:00 We will catch the 21 or 24 tram to the