Perspectives on Arts Pedagogy

Instructor: Anniina Suominen (anniina.suominen@aalto.fi), +358 50 4334430

Time: Wednesdays 9:15-17:00 on 2.11 (class meets remotely), 9.11, 16.11 and 23.11.

Location: Fist meeting: Teams/ZOOM (please check that you have received the link); 2nd, 3rd and 4th, on campus.


At the core of this course, we ask: How do we find balance and make connections between the various aspects/elements of our professional work (research/art/pedagogy/administration/curriculum work) and how do praxis and theory merge/meet/collide/clash in our work? 

Learning outcomes:

Course readings, lectures, and online discussions allow opportunities for further developing understandings of university pedagogy as multifaceted and complex. The lecturers share how their pedagogical orientations evolve informed by theory, arts, and changing cultures and societies. Through group or individual work, participants discover how the texts, themes, introduced pedagogical and theoretical approaches are relevant to the themes of one’s research, teaching and learning.

Content:

This course builds upon text-based discussions on a variety of perspectives to pedagogy, theory and various forms of research, especially at (art) universities. Key themes that expand and challenge traditional and normative notions of epistemology and pedagogy will be explored. Themes vary based on guest speaker and participants interests.

Each seminar style session includes one-three presentations and talks by visitors or the course instructor. These talks focus specifically on how the person(s) make personal connections to theory, how theory informs their pedagogical research and artistic and research practice and how they connect theory and their pedagogical orientations with managing and administering curricula and university programmes.

Course Format:

This is principally a course based on collective learning and discussions.  Participation in these discussions is of paramount importance to the success of this class. Participation requires that each member of the groups completes the assigned readings, participates in the discussions, shares their personal evolving understandings of the themes, listens to others, asks questions, engages in student-to-student talk, takes responsibility for picking up the dialogue when the group is challenged by silences or points of disagreement, and helps keep the conversations and feedback on track.

Requirements:

Each participant is expected to engage in the pre-assignments and post-assignments before and after each seminar through MyCourses; come to class prepared to discuss the material assigned for the day, which implies that part of the reading assignments must be completed before the first day; and engage in discussion with guest speakers and peers.

Individual assignments, on-going throughout the course

Students are expected to identify and discuss the main ideas reflected in the readings along with their personal connection to them. In preparing for the discussions, students are advised pay close attention to the readings, analyse and respond to them using, for example, critical commentary, personal narrative, or intertextuality. In short, students should attempt to insert themselves into the assigned texts by taking a position on the readings that inspires dialogue, and links theoretical issues with wider and pedagogical concerns.

 Peer/Group assignment

The participants will form groups to jointly discuss and elaborate on the course specific themes. In these groups, the participants share their personal projects as well as their research or pedagogical experiences related to the themes emerging from the readings and talks. These joint reflections will be shared during the final session scheduled with students. Format of presentation is not limited to writing, and students are encouraged to experiment with different forms of presenting learning, knowledge and perspectives.  

Text assignment

Students compose a reflective text in which they engage in a critical reflection and analysis of epistemology, pedagogy, learning and/or teaching as these concepts relate to both theory and praxis. These texts can be drafts for a journal publication or alternatively a draft for an extended teaching philosophy statement required for teaching portfolios.   

Assessment criteria:

Participation, discussion, completion of course assignments, and a presentation and sharing the final group project and individual paper. More information will be provided in class and through course site. As part of the culture of the course, assessment criteria will be drafted by the instructor and then discussed, evaluated, and determined jointly in class. 

  

Course Schedule/List of Topics/Required Readings

Detailed plan for each class meeting is posted prior to course date. Reading provided by each guest speaker form the thematic structure for readings. The texts will be posted a week prior to each visit in folder by class date. 

Texts are listed below (additional texts will be provided based on participant interest).  On the first date, be prepared to discuss the first text of each theme listed below. All readings can be found on My Courses site:

Structure for each session varies but since we spent four full days together, we try to jointly construct a good balance of the following structural elements:

1)     Lecture talk and presentation or an activity by course instructor or visiting lecturer

2)     Short reflections & questions session

3)     Short breaks between activities & lunch break

4)     Lecture talk & presentation

5)     Short reflections & questions session (group & personal time dedicated for reflection & idea development)

6)     Group work based on both lectures and pre-assignments

7)     Close

Note: Each visitor brings their special interests to our shared learning process. They are asked to reflect on the various elements of their professional practice and work by making connections between pedagogy, research, artistic practice, and administrative responsibilities and/or curriculum work.


Last modified: Tuesday, 1 November 2022, 2:20 PM