Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2025 - CA 890 G100

Professional Practices Seminar I

Class Number: 6307

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Mon, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
    GOLDCORP

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

A non-credit course for graduate students working in contemporary arts that foregrounds professional aspects of the discipline. Includes workshops on academic writing, research skills development, pedagogy, proposal and grant writing, peer critique, artistic production and management, academic and public dissemination of work, and presentations of works in progress. Graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis.

COURSE DETAILS:

This required non-credit course provides graduate students (MA, MFA, and PhD) working in contemporary arts with a supplementary focus on professional aspects of the discipline. Weekly meetings will be focused on pedagogy, research skills development, proposal and grant writing, academic writing, peer critique, artistic and career mentorship, community engagement, and presentations of works in progress. Panels and invited presentations by SCA faculty, staff, and professionals in the field will be a key feature of this course and its follow-up, CA 891, to be offered in the Spring term at the same time. 

Grading

REQUIREMENTS:

1. Regular attendance and active participation
2. Short research presentation to School
3. Workshopping of paper or project proposal

Materials

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.