Final Year Theory Modules w/ Spencer and Derek

What is a dissertation?

A systematic collection and interpretation of researched material – a collection of arguments and research which builds a case to assess the extent to which a set of objectives has been satisfied or to test a hypothesis. Inclusive primary and secondary sources.

A body of work

The dissertation gives you the opportunity to:

• formulate and communicate ideas and propositions
• Develop you skills in terms of research and research methodologies
• Demonstrate academic rigour
• Pursue in depth, areas and issues which are of interest and of relevance to you and may inform decisions with regard to your future career
• Investigate and understand broad yet in depth aspects of the issues relevant to your particular degree courses
• Become an expert in the specific aspect of your chosen topic
• Inform studio practice

Hang on to research material for dissertation in case there is an issue with your final dissertation: 5500 words

Thursday Lecture: Time, Aesthetics and Composition

Why you can’t write an (interesting) essay in a week

In more strongly ‘fact’ based disciplines:

• area of study (gap analysis)
• Hypothesis: Charles Sandford Peirce – abduction and semiotics: creativity
• Experimental design: creativity
• Internal relational coherence
• Relations with world (through data acquisition

In cultural studies/humanities:

• Emphasis upon MEANING PRODUCTION
• An essay has context but is also interpretative: coherent, persuasive (induce movement in the reader), interesting, enlightening (construct a way of seeing/drawing from an aspect)

Derek

SCAMPER

S: Substitute (remove some part of the accepted situation, thing or concept and replace it with something else)

C: Combine (join, affiliate or force together two or more elements of your subject matter and consider ways that such a combination might move you towards a solution)

A: Adapt

M: Modify (consider many of the attributes of the thing you’re working on and change them arbitrarily

P: Purpose/put to other use (modify the intention to the subject, think about why it exists, what is it used for etc)

E: Eliminate (arbitrarily remove any or all elements of your subject, simplify, reduce to core functionality)

R: Reverse (change the direction or orientation. Turn it upside-down, inside-out etc)

(R: Reaarrange (modify the order)

(M: Magnify (zoom in on something or amplify its intensity)

 

5 Keywords:

Typography, Film