Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2025 - CA 821 G100

Research Methods in Contemporary Arts (5)

Class Number: 7010

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Wed, 9:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    GOLDCORP

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Presents a variety of methods to promote critical thinking and writing on the contemporary arts. Students will learn and engage with interdisciplinary perspectives that draw on historical and theoretical approaches to the study of visual art and culture, cinema, performance, sound art, and digital media.

COURSE DETAILS:

The course will discuss important contemporary critical and theoretical issues concerning politics, the arts, and society more broadly today. This course will have a particular emphasis on the following topics (but will not be limited to these): the place of art in urgent times, when environmental breakdown and political/economic crises brought on by decades of neoliberalism are dominant topics of they day; contemporary Indigenous thought and politics; critiques of race and racism; plus other topics to be determined. Readings for the final several weeks of the term will be chosen collectively by the class so that we can address issues of specific interest to the members of the seminar.

This course is taught co-terminously with CA 811.

Grading

  • Participation/Discusion 20%
  • Short Presentation 20%
  • Short writing assignments 25%
  • Final Essay 35%
  • Grade breakdown is provisional and may well change

NOTES:

Course readings

Most readings will be made available on Canvas for you to download. In addition, prior to start of term I will update you as to the reading list so that you may purchase any books that are necessary and/or which you would like to own. These books can be purchased online or ordered through a local bookstore such as Iron Dog Books or Massy Books.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Most readings will be made available in Canvas. See note above.

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Graduate Studies Notes:

Important dates and deadlines for graduate students are found here: http://www.sfu.ca/dean-gradstudies/current/important_dates/guidelines.html. The deadline to drop a course with a 100% refund is the end of week 2. The deadline to drop with no notation on your transcript is the end of week 3.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.