2.HowToDoThingsWithTheory: formal framework
DAI's MA in Art Praxis study trajectory offers our students 3 distinctive curriculum components. The students are required to take part in all 3 of them:
2. How To do Things With Theory (described on this page)
How To Do Things With Theory ~ formal framework
HTDTWT is a two year study trajectory designed to develop skills to formulate relevant questions related to theory. It consists of two equally important parts:
Seminars:
Each theory tutor thematically steers and leads a series of regular two-or-more days long plenary study sessions. Both students in their first as well as in their second year of study must complete one full HTDTWT-seminar over the course of each academic year (two HTDTWT-seminars in total during DAI's two year study-trajectory). In preparation for the intensive gatherings the students read a variety of carefully selected theoretical texts. Cinematic, aural and other works can be presented for collective analysis as well. Active participation and input from the students is required.The composition of each seminar group is mixed: first and second year students read, discuss and study together.
The Writing of a Master Thesis:
HTDTWT offers a two year trajectory oriented towards the writing of a master thesis. This path is designed to help students to develop skills to formulate relevant questions which strengthen their praxes and allow them to position themselves and their work in broader contexts. In the first year, students follow the Academic Writing Classes, which lead to formulating a thesis proposal. On the basis of the thesis proposal, the students are assigned a thesis tutor who will guide them in writing their thesis in the second year. In general, students will follow the HTDTWT-seminar of their thesis tutor.
HTDTWT logistics:
1st year students:
* Compulsory Choice | 22 ECTS
*participation in seminars, academic writing course & the writing of a thesis proposal
* 538 hours of self-study
* 78 contact hours (including the academic writing course)
*Presence during contact hours: 100% attendance is strongly recommended. If there are urgent reasons for non-attendance, you are, by law, allowed to miss out on 2 days and 5 hours*, without an additional task above the required hours of self-study. If your absence extends beyond that number, an additional task (always tailor-made !) must be agreed upon by yourself, your theory tutor, the education team leader, the study trajectory coordinator and the head of program, backed by the Central Exam Committee.
2nd year students:
* Compulsory choice | 22 ECTS
* participation in seminars & finalization of the written MA thesis
* 546 hours of self-study
* 70 contact hours (including face to face meetings about the thesis)
* Presence during contact hours: 100% attendance is strongly recommended. If there are urgent reasons for non-attendance, you are, by law, allowed to miss out on 2 days and 5 hours, without an additional task above the required hours of self-study. If your absence extends beyond that number an additional task (always tailor-made !) must be agreed upon by yourself, your theory tutor, the education team leader, the study trajectory coordinator and the head of program, backed by the Central Exam Committee.
Assessment:
Formative midterm evaluations HTDTWT:
Individual conversation (with the help of a checklist provided by the Education Team Leader), between first and second year students and tutors.
Summative final assessment First Year HTDTWT
At the conclusion of the first year, each student will be assessed by their HTDTWT tutor plus the education team leader on "research & participation” in the seminars (including the academic writing course), and “research & writing" for the thesis proposal. Both assessments are brought together in an overall assessment which will be shared towards the beginning of the second year.
Summative final assessment Second Year HTDTWT
At the conclusion of the second year, each student will be assessed by their theory tutor(s) and the HTDTWT education team leader on “participation and research” in the seminars, and on “research and writing” for the thesis. Both assessments are brought together in an overall assessment, which will be shared during the graduation ceremony.
How To Do Things With Theory is concluded successfully when the student is credited with at least a ‘satisfactory’ by the tutor(s) in the overall assessment.
Questions
The HTDTWT education team leader is Florian Göttke. Students and tutors are kindly requested to direct all their questions in regard to the modus operandi of this curruculum component to him.