MLEST2400 FoU-oppgave. Fordypning i selvvalgt område Course description

In this course, the student engages in a written and practical research and development (R&D) assignment focused on their profession. The assignment includes both subject I and professional subjects, and possibly also subject II. The R&D assignment must shed light on issues related to the distinctiveness of practical and aesthetic subjects, their knowledge base, history, practical and aesthetic processes, and/or values. In the R&D assignment, the student is expected to consider several practical and aesthetic subjects in relation to each other. Working on the R&D assignment requires a methodological approach, critical reflection and independent work from the beginning and throughout the course. The course is part of an international semester. 

Successful completion of previous courses in the programme, equivalent to 110 credits, in accordance with national curriculum regulations for the education.

Upon completion of this course, the student is expected to have achieved the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence: 

Knowledge 

The student 

• has knowledge of key issues within the field of design, arts and crafts, both nationally and internationally.

• has knowledge of aesthetic learning processes and interdisciplinary work as a basis for professional practice. 

• has knowledge of various forms of expression and dissemination within practical and aesthetic subjects. 

• has knowledge of various methods used in research and development work of relevance to practical and aesthetic subjects. 

Skills 

The student 

• can apply relevant theory and international research on school subjects, learning, play, aesthetic learning processes and diversity as a basis for their own investigation.

• can develop research question, plan, carry out, document and critically reflect on a delimited project. 

• Demonstrates practical skills in working with materials, techniques and forms of expression. 

• can employ appropriate methods to conduct a delimited investigation, possesses academic writing skills, and demonstrates an insight into research ethics.

General competence 

The student 

• can apply academic and professional insight to discuss the practical and aesthetic subjects as part of general education and assess opportunities and challenges in collaboration across different school subjects and learning arenas. 

•  can communicate about academic issues, analyses and conclusions within a delimited subject area. 

• can apply their professional competence to promote cultural understanding and address interdisciplinary topics such as democracy and citizenship, as well as public health and life skills. 

The course emphasizes practical experience through workshops activities, individual theoretical studies and to some extent through supervision in a group or plenary setting. The course theoretical framework emphasises understanding and application of concepts and work methods. Subject didactics are included in the course and aim to contextualise practical work and theoretical studies, as well as raise key questions about the role of education and the distinctive nature of the subject. 

The course should be viewed in conjunction with other courses. Developing an understanding the principles of academic writing is integrated throughout the program. Not all aspects of the course are necessarily coverd in the teaching activities, but students are expected to independently cover them through reading assigned literature, participating in study groups and conducting practical exploratory work. 

Work requirements must be fulfilled and assessed as approved before students are eligible to take the exam:

Presentation of research question in groups or in a plenary session

Written profession-oriented R&D assignment based on practical exploration and theoretical studies.

The exam can be written individually or in groups of up to five students. Scope of the text: 2,000–2,500 words for individual work and up to 4,000 words for group submissions. 

The exam result can be appealed. 

All aids are permitted, if the rules for source referencing are complied with

Grade scale A-F.

One internal and one external examiner.