This course provides an opportunity for you to build your skills in research methods and practice as you discover what research can look like for those working in film, photography, video, installation, and related media. By looking within texts by artists, filmmakers, photographers, performers, poets, and journalists such as Joan Beifuss, Pearl Bowser, Linda Goode Bryant, Duncan Campbell, Ximena Cuevas, Susana de Sousa Dias, Kevin Jerome Everson, Jill Godmilow, Sharon Greytak, David Hammons, Christine Sun Kim, Spike Lee, John Lewis, Rosalind Nashashibi, Mike Nichols, Isamu Noguchi, Mika Rottenberg, Doris Salcedo, Dread Scott, Joel Sternfeld, Chick Strand, Rea Tajiri, Peter Watkins and Travis Wilkerson, the class will examine research-based approaches to developing, creating and realizing new works. Readings, screenings, creative exercises, and artist talks that address conceptual approaches, working methods, and a range of research strategies will allow you to deepen your skills in research as you develop and create a project of your own. All members of the class are required to present their work in various stages throughout the semester. The members of the class will provide critical, technical and production support for one another. Active verbal and written contributions to all sessions are required of each student under the guiding principle that tracking each other's intellectual and creative process will help each person develop their respective project and understanding of research practices. This course provides a structured context in which to do research intensive work at the Division l and II level. Enrolled or waitlist students who do not attend the first class session risk losing their place on the class roster. (keyword: film, video, photography, installation, art)