Art – Improvisation – Space

The space-based art of improvisation

Research question KKP: How can art and improvisation be taught in a limited space with limited resources in the context of distant moons, planets or in zero gravity in times of education for sustainable development (ESD) for secondary school pupils?

The aim of the course is to develop a teaching concept (with reference to and alignment with the curriculum), to try it out and test it in practice, and then to reflect on, evaluate and adapt it. The adapted concept will be compiled into an open source toolbook.

Attendance at the Translation I course is strongly recommended, as it can be linked to this course.

Examination modalities:
● Seminar paper of 20,000-25,000 characters including workload (body text: process of implementing the teaching concept and theoretical, subject-didactic contextualization as well as evaluation of the concept, images and descriptions of the conceptual steps, translation, methods, description and contextualization of the students' work; the adapted version is included in the appendix).
● If a small artistic work is required and completed, it must be illustrated and described (especially in terms of process and art historical, material-specific, and design historical contextualization). In this case, the seminar paper will have a length of 16,000 characters including workload.
● Toolbook* (see notes for submission requirements)

If the course requires the development of a small artistic work, the following applies:
Examination modalities:
● 40% active participation, interim presentations (documentation of the artistic, design work and the work steps)
● 60% text contribution. The 15,000-character per-seminar paper is the documentation and didactic contextualization, embedding, and reflection of the considerations for teaching the work and its process (idea, concept, project, lesson plan, translation, methods, illustration and description, and contextualization of the students' work as well as the student's own artistic work, materials, etc.), including a lesson plan (learning objectives of my project, didactic reserve).
● Toolbook* (see notes for submission requirements)

The following applies to both options: For a positive overall assessment, both sections (collaboration/intermediate presentation and written contribution) must be successfully completed.

Deadline for submission: February 28, 2026
Submissions after the deadline cannot be considered; the seminar must be repeated.

1) Advance attendance at the Translation I course is strongly recommended; 15 students can be admitted to the course. We ask for your understanding and refer you to the alternative course offering.
2) The course must be attended in parallel with the subject-related teaching practice (FASP).
3) The course must be attended in parallel with the supervision (FASP).
4) Consistent attendance (maximum three excused absences). If more than three absences occur, the course must be repeated.
5) If the submission deadline cannot be met due to health or other personal reasons, an email must be sent to the course instructor by the last possible submission date. Only in this case can a grace period of 14 days be granted.
6) In the case of serious illness/inclusive needs, we ask students to contact Ms. Veronika Merklein [Disability Officer for Students] (merklein@uni-ak.ac.at).
7) Submission of the seminar paper and toolbook: The seminar paper must be submitted by email to the course instructor. The toolbook must be uploaded as a packaged InDesign file to the corresponding course's database.
8) Access to InDesign:
Programs (as well as training sessions) are available to every student of the University of Applied Sciences throughout their studies in the computer studio (OKP, 5th floor, 510). A separate, one-time request is required via email to computerstudio@uni-ak.ac.at, including your full name, student ID number, and field of study. The key can then be picked up from the concierge with ID. For problems and questions regarding the programs (PS, AI, Indd, After Effects, Animate, Wordpress, general project consulting, etc.), Birgit Hertel is available on-site; office hours can be found here: https://computerstudio.uni-ak.ac.at/#sprech. The computer studio can be used 24/7, provided no courses are currently in session: https://computerstudio.uni-ak.ac.at/#kalender. Further information can be found at: https://computerstudio.uni-ak.ac.at/

In case of deviations, the German language version of the announcement applies.