This course aims to provide an environment for postgraduate students to develop research foundations necessary for doctoral and/or masters of philosophy candidature, both theoretical and practice-based, in art, design and media arts at UNSW Art & Design . It is designed to assist students who come to postgraduate research without having immediately undertaken extensive written, theoretical or rigorous practice-based training in a prior degree. The course will introduce students to art and design as research, facilitate the refinement of students' research proposals, develop understanding of relevant practice-based and literature research fields; understand the use and limits of theoretical frameworks; develop and refine research approach and methods; investigate the thesis as proposition and original contribution and their implications for practice-based research; refine research skills in secondary literature and referencing; and discuss the expectations and approaches to practical components of an art, design or media arts thesis. All meetings will follow a small group discussion format.