School Of Arts (WSoA) MA in Digital Arts by Dissertation

The MA by Dissertation in Digital Arts offers an opportunity for students who are interested in producing research in an academic field.  The degree is aimed at students with a strongly articulated research interest.  Research can be produced as written academic research or as a combination of written research and a creative practice component.
Details of the two research paths:
1)     Purely academic research, in which the candidate is expected to produce only a written dissertation.
2)     A Combination of academic and practice research. in which the candidate is expected to produce a smaller written dissertation along with a body of practical work.  The weighting can be either 50 / 50 or 60 /40, dependent on the scope of the project. The dissertation should provide a theoretical framework as well as an analysis of the practical work produced.  A permanent record of the practical production must accompany the dissertation.
All applications are dependent on supervisor availability, so potential candidates are urged to identify a supervisor and consult with them before making an application. Applicants need to hold an Honours or Four Year Professional degree (NQF Level 8)

Animation:

Research topics for Animation  include animation history, theory, practice and production systems, animation education as well as various forms of motion studies.

Interactive Media and Creative Technology:

Research topics in Interactive Media and Creative Technology  include both practice and theory in these areas: interactivity and creative / arts practice, interactivity and development, digital innovation, social media, mobile media, user-focused design or South African and African digital media development and theory.
Masters by Dissertation and Creative Practice in this area are supported by a series of short courses. These short courses offer candidates a choice learning technical skills in coding, working with sensors and electronics to enhance their own practice and research.

Game Design and Game Studies:

Research topics for Game Design include explorations of both practice and theory in the areas of game design, games as entertainment, games as artistic expression, games in culture, games in education, and serious games.

Interactive Narrative

Research in Interactive Narrative includes work on Storytelling in Interactive Environments, Visual Storytelling, Hypermedia Narrative, Creative Writing in Interactive Media, and Scriptwriting of Interactive Environments.