User:Markvandenheuvel/thesis

https://pad.xpub.nl/p/GRS_session1_20_21

Graduate Research Seminars

Seminar #1

Writing + making: parallel practices!

Project proposal:

• text describing proposed work (indication)

> project proposal outline!

Steve's general points on presentations :

• rapid prototyping = 'how do i approach that research question with a piece of work?'
• we as tutors will be working with you on finding modes of address: 'what's the most appropriate way to speak about this work i am making?
• everyone arrives here with an existing practice: it's valuable to look at what we've made already and see what it is that we are doing.
• It's common at this stage to try out many different approaches to the same question/material, and this can be a very rich and fruitful approach: this is the point at which you can be considering possibilities.

1. what do you want to make? (specifics: media, topic, audience)
2. How do you plan to make it? (descibe approaches: reading, writing, making, thinking: discuss possible outcomes. are these realistic?)
3. timeline: (what will you do when?)
4. motivation: (what drives me?)
5. who can help you and how? (experts, involved, externs! people for input)
6. how does it relate to previous practice and interests? (mention practice, theory, art, anything beyond scope of own works and show how it connects)
7. references (Harvard method)

Thesis:

WHY? To develop a relationship between writing and practice, and learn to consider your writing as an integral part of your practice, as a medium of reflection and production.

Formats: 1) report on your research and practice (doesn't need to be theoretical!!) 2) analytical essay (+ case studies) 3) how do you want to speak to people????

homework: hackpact: mini prototype, scetch, gesture in relation to your project proposal

More:

- Notes on Marloes' presentation: -Everything you need to know about the year will be on the wiki!! https://pzwiki.wdka.nl/mediadesign/Graduate_Seminar_2020-2021 -We're working on 2 texts this semester project proposal thesis outline -each text has a different function -BUT writing and making should happen in parallel -First deadline: 13 November - Graduate proposal deadline AND deadline for thesis outline [dates for deadlines after that TBC and will be updated on the wiki]

Project proposal -This text will go hand in hand with your assessment - practice-oriented text to make sure your project is feasible -Suggested outline available on the wiki - you can use parts of other texts you wrote last year on your practice -Important: include visuals, sketches, images etc to help illustrate your project - nothing set down in this text is set in stone, your plans can change - what do you want to make? if form is unclear but topic is clear, focus on topic - focus on what you know -how do you plan to make it? describe how you will approach this project through reading, writing, making, thinking: discuss possible outcomes. are these realistic? -what is your timetable? include a timeline e.g. month by month - to demonstrate you know which steps to take and when -why do you want to make it? most of you will have written texts that will help you to address this point about your motivation -who can help you make it? tutors but also fellow students who have similar research interests/expertise - and also, any outside people -Relation to your previous practice? again, look back to your previous texts to help you address this (e.g. text on method will be helpful here) -Relation to a larger context - connect your work and project to other bodies of work, artists etc to demonstrate an awareness of the broader context within which you are working. -References - please use Harvard method https://pzwiki.wdka.nl/mediadesign/A_Guide_to_Essay_Writing#The_Harvard_System_of_referencing - this could be a resource for your thesis

The thesis -Again, all resources you need are on the wiki -Why a thesis? it's a parallel activitiy to the body of work you are producing for your graduation -Goal: to develop a relationship betweek writing and practice -It can be hard to articulate the intuitions which motivate your work but doing this your work can develop -there are three suggested thesis formats but in fact you can create any form you like , as long as it meets the criteria for evaluation -see wiki for further details of suggested formats and criteria -harvard referencing *must* be used

Questions:

   - What about development of students' technical skills?

We are here to support your writing but you should look to course tutors who can help you here [XPUB: there are sessions already scheduled with Michael and Aymeric LB: speak to Barend, Ine, David] - When will we know which thesis advisor we are paired with? We will communicate this to you in mid-October - How is the decision made re pairing students and supervisor The writing tutors will discuss this with great care!

Homework:

-Hackpact: make a mini prototype, sketch, gesture in relation to your project proposal (and your practice from last year) -e.g. for a project on the topic of aesthetics of conspiracy theories, what would be the minimum gesture you could make towards this Bring this to the next session

Next session 1 october: focus on project proposal

in 2 weeks' time - we will split into two groups for practical reasons Marloes with XPUB Steve and Natasha with LB we will be working on rough 1st draft project proposal