Courses Handbook 2007 - [ Archived ]

300890 v.2 Doctor of Creative Arts (Design)


DCA(Curtin)

Course CRICOS Code: 033000E
Registered full-time Duration for International Onshore Students on student visas: 4 Years

Introduction

The Doctor of Creative Arts is a research degree with a focus on creative practice as a mode of research and is of equivalent status to a PhD. Twenty-five per cent of the program involves coursework to assist candidates in contextualising their research question and devising appropriate research methodologies by providing study in relevant history, methodology, theory and criticism. Seventy-five per cent of the candidate's time is spent preparing the thesis. Within the DCA a thesis is understood as having two components: a creative body of work and a written exegesis, which together form complementary responses to a clearly defined research question. Both components are submitted for examination; the exegesis is submitted in printed and bound form and the creative component may be submitted in printed or bound form, in electronic format, as a film, exhibition, installation, or in another medium. On completion of the DCA the candidate must ensure there is an enduring record of the creative body of work.

Course Entry Requirements/Prerequisites

Bachelor of Arts (Honours, normally first or upper second-class) or equivalent, or a master degree in a relevant area.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Applications for recognition of prior learning for coursework components are assessed on an individual basis.

Duration and Availability

A minimum of two years and a maximum of four years equivalent full-time study. As most units are offered only once in each year and in the required sequence of study, there is some limitation of choice for students who study part-time.

Course Organisation

It is a requirement of this course that at least two-thirds of it is undertaken by research and the remainder by coursework. The thesis follows Rule 10: Degree of Doctor by Research. The coursework component should be determined in consultation with the Postgraduate Coordinator of the Department of Design. Students without prior studies in research methods and statistical data analysis will be required to undertake relevant preparatory units. This may increase the stated course duration.

Additional Course Expenses

Students may be expected to purchase a number of textbooks, readers and other essential study materials. Some areas require students to provide their own equipment and/or materials or pay a fee for the Department to provide them (check with the individual departments/area). Departments will not bear the expense of projects involving unusual costs; for example a student wishing to make a film would have to provide the film stock and fund the post-production costs or a student mounting an exhibition would have to pay for framing and/or installation expenses. Thesis preparation and binding and other costs are normally covered by doctoral students.

Special Note

The Division of Humanities provides facilities and benefits for those studying this research course, including access to suitable computer facilities, office space for on-campus students and financial assistance to attend appropriate intrastate, interstate or overseas conferences and towards associated research costs.

Course Structure

Hrs/Wk

Credit

Majors, Streams or Other Core Components
13528 v.3   DCA 701 - Design Professional Praxis I 8.0 50.0
13529 v.3   DCA 702 - Design Professional Praxis II 50.0
13530 v.4   DCA 703 - Design Research Issues and Methods 3.0 50.0
99123 v.2   Doctoral Thesis - Design
  150.0
 

Availability

Year Location   All* Internal Partially Online Internal^ External Fully Online#
2007 Bentley Campus Research Term 2   Y      
2008 Bentley Campus Research Term 1   Y      
2008 Bentley Campus Research Term 2   Y      

The information displayed above refers to study periods and locations where the course is available for first time entry. Students are normally only offered or admitted to a course once.

*The course itself may not be available either solely internally or externally but individual units may be offered in either or both of those modes. Prospective students should contact the Course Coordinator for further information.

^Course and associated units are offered in this mode permitting International Onshore student enrolment.

#Course and associated units are offered in this online only mode and DO NOT permit International Onshore student enrolment.



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