Please note! Course description is confirmed for two academic years, which means that in general, e.g. Learning outcomes, assessment methods and key content stays unchanged. However, via course syllabus, it is possible to specify or change the course execution in each realization of the course, such as how the contact sessions are organized, assessment methods weighted or materials used.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

From the lectures presented and the readings required participants:

1. Learn about the discourses and terminology associated to the subject (or topic) of the School.

2. Exposure to literature related to the topic being discussed in the School.

3. Participate in interdisciplinary discussions about the subject of the School.

Credits: 6

Schedule: 04.05.2023 - 05.05.2023

Teacher in charge (valid for whole curriculum period):

Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Lily Diaz-Kommonen

Contact information for the course (applies in this implementation):

 Location: Learning Centre / Oppimiskeskus, 213 Eetu, Otaniementie 9

Register in SISU
 
For more information please sending email to Prof. Lily Díaz-Kommonen, lily.diaz@aalto.fi

CEFR level (valid for whole curriculum period):

Language of instruction and studies (applies in this implementation):

Teaching language: English. Languages of study attainment: English

CONTENT, ASSESSMENT AND WORKLOAD

Content
  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Every year we select a topic for discussion as part of the Doctoral School at the Department of Media. In general the School last 2-3 days. This includes direct contact with invited guest speakers and faculty members. There are lectures, seminar discussions and candidates make presentations.

  • applies in this implementation

    The school will explore the relationship between the concept of paradigm and our current interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary approaches to research. (Typically, these latter terms are used to indicate how a work brings together knowledge from diverse areas of study.) They might also refer to the use of methodologies coming from knowledge fields other than the one in which the study is situated. Nowadays, research towards a doctorate degree commonly involves the use of such perspectives. Such viewpoints might play a role in the way that primary and secondary sources are gathered and utilized. For example, ethnographic approaches from anthropology are now commonly used when realizing research in art and design. Similarly, participatory design methods are popular in different areas in computer science, such as user computer interface and interaction design. 

    During the School, we shall engage in a debate and seek to deconstruct the notion of paradigm and probe how it might influence the way research is carried out. For example, the concept of paradigm is closely related to a Frame of Reference which then can also be related to social cohesion and the notion of community. 

    We would like to also investigate the notion of a signal-oriented paradigm (as placeholder) and whether there exists a relation to the optical paradigm that has been predicated on Western art since the Renaissance via the perspective model. Following this and in relation to the notion of artistic research we are interested in discussing whether it can be said that there already exist a series of artistic paradigms that have framed our understanding of research practices in the arts. From a theoretical perspective among the questions to be asked are: 1. What types of knowledge can we discern as present in artistic practices and works? 2. What are some of the knowledge seeking-activities of the artist and designer? 3. Can we already identify communities of artists and designers engaged in research? 4. Can we say that there have been artistic revolutions? How does the knowledge created by artists and/or designers contribute?

    Finally, from a practice-oriented perspective we would also want to discuss the literature review in the context of interdisciplinarity. Can we formulate some guidelines to assist the candidates when preparing a literature review for a study whose scope brings together two to three different areas of knowledge? Is there such a thing as having a ‘balance’ of sources? Can there exist a so-called incompatibility of sources?


Assessment Methods and Criteria
  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Participation in the School and quality of work presented. 

  • applies in this implementation

    WORKING METHODS

    Participating students will be given a set of reading resources which they must familiarize themselves with and be able to discuss throughout the school. To receive the six (6) credits students must participate in all the activities in the course and also:

    1. Present your work to your peers in the school.

    2. Complete a 3500-5000 word essay due on 5 September 2023.

    3. Select four (4) books from the course's bibliography and write a book report (3500 words) due on 5 September 2023. 


Workload
  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Candidates are supposed to engage in readings and prepare their own presentations for the school. 

  • applies in this implementation

    Workload is calculated based on:

    1. 16 contact hours.

    2. Presentation of work.

    3. Two written works totalling 7000 words.


DETAILS

Study Material
  • applies in this implementation

    A detailed bibliography will be given in the course.

Substitutes for Courses
Prerequisites

FURTHER INFORMATION

Further Information
  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Teaching Language : English

    Teaching Period : 2022-2023 Autumn I - Summer
    2023-2024 Autumn I - Summer

    Enrollment :

    Minimum number of participants: 8
    Maximum number of participants: 20

    Registration for courses: Sisu. Priority order to courses is according to the order of priority decided by the Academic committee for School of Arts, Design and Architecture, https://www.aalto.fi/en/services/registering-to-courses-and-the-order-of-priority-at-aalto-arts 

  • applies in this implementation

    INVITED PRESENTERS

    Jan Schacher, Professor of Music Technology, Sibelius Academy-University of the Arts,

    https://www.uniarts.fi/en/articles/news/jan-schacher-appointed-professor-of-music-technology-at-the-sibelius-academy/ 

    Dr. Dominik Schlienger-Tuomi, Artist, researcher, developer

    https://www.uniarts.fi/tapahtumat/dominik-schlienger-tuomen-tohtorintutkinnon-tarkastustilaisuus/



Details on the schedule
  • applies in this implementation

    PROGRAMME

    Day 1 – Thursday 4 May 2023

    13:30 – 14:30 Practical presentation (Prof. Jan Schacher)

    14:30 – 15:00 Coffee break

    15:00 – 16:30 Student presentations of their work

    16:30 – 17:00 General discussion (Prof. Lily Díaz-Kommonen) 

    18:00 – 19:00 (If we agree on it.)

     

    Day 2 – Friday 5 May 2023

    9:30 – 10:30 Lecture presentation (Dr. Dominik Schlienger).

    10:00 – 12:00 Literature review presentations by students

    12:00 – 13:00 Lunch

    13:00 – 14:00 Lecture presentation (Theoretical) Jan

    14:00 – 14:30 Coffee break

    14:30 – 16:30 Unlearning workshop about tools (Dominik)

    16:30 – 17:00 Discussion, feedback, and conclusion.