https://studiegids.vu.nl/en/courses/2025-2026/L_ZAPMKCW002The Research Working Group Design premaster is an extension of the Research Working Group Design (L_ZABAMKD302), especially for premaster students. The difference is that the latter in period 5 continue without the other students and receive extra assignments to earn not 6 but 9 EC with this course. The course is a seminar with the following learning objectives:Training analytical skills: applying a specific (to be determined) concept in academic research into design, decorative art and / or material culture.Training research skills: Learning to search and apply historical and contemporary visual and written primary sources in case studies and with regard to design.Training of writing skills: writing an academic paper of approximately 3000 words, excluding notes and literature.In addition to the above (which is also required of students who follow the regular Research Workgroup for 6 EC), pre-masters (who take it from before 9 EC) have the following additional learning objectives:Deepening of analytical and research skills: carrying out semi-independent research into a particular issue or problem in the history of design, decorative arts and / or material culture, and reporting on it in an oral and a written presentation (see below). With these assignments, students will have to specifically demonstrate their ability to engage in a critical dialogue with scholarly texts in the field, and thus to possess sufficient skills and critical insight for starting an MA.In-depth reporting: writing according to the academic standards in the field in the form of an academic research essay of approximately 4500 words (excluding source references). This article may be a continuation of the paper written earlier in period 4, but may also be separate from it.With the above learning objectives, the course builds on the second-year courses Graphic Design, Fashion History and Theory, which deepened the knowledge of design history, and on the Historiography of Art, Design, Architecture course in which the theory of historiography was discussed. Skills gained in Academic Skills and Research Techniques are practiced. The focus is on formulating workable problems, conducting research, finding relevant primary and / or secondary sources and compiling a suitable bibliography, and compiling the findings in the format of a mid-term paper and a final paper according to academic standards.This working group studies design, applied art and / or material culture on the basis of a specific starting point: design and time. We explore social and cultural questions through the study of design, material culture / applied arts. The history of design is bound up with conceptions of time as it relates to space, the body and impacts the psyche. This course examines how designed objects have been shaped by the emergence of clock time, the rhythms of work and leisure, the increasing speed of life and communications as well as ideas of the past and the future. The course explores key issues that link design, making, space, temporality and speed.Seminars with active participation in discussions, midterm assignment (s), presentation. Compulsory attendance applies to the course; a maximum of 2 meetings may be missed with good reason.Midterm assignment (s) (30%) [learning objectives 2] Written assignment (70%) [learning objectives 1, 2, 3]. For this part, a minimum of 6.0 must be obtained to pass this course. If the mark is lower, there is one resit. For pre-masters, the above tests together form a partial mark (over period 4), which will make up 66.6% of the final mark. The other 33.3% is calculated on the basis of the following two additional tests: Presentation (30%) [learning objectives 2, 4, 5] Written final paper (70%) [learning objectives 1, 3, 4, 5]. For this part, a minimum of 6.0 must be obtained to pass this course. If the mark is lower, there is one resit. The final mark is determined on the basis of the 2 partial marks (for periods 4 and 5), both of which must be 6.0 or higher. In case of a fail, only the fail component needs to be retaken. Endterms BA MKDA: 1,2,3,4,5,6,8,9,12To be announced.Pre-master students attending the VU Art and Culture master's program Design Cultures.Premaster’s students of the Faculty of Humanities do not need to register for courses themselves (the education office takes care of this). You will be registered in August for courses in the first semester and registered around December for the courses in the second semester.To participate, students must meet the conditions for registration; see above.To be announced.