Creative Means of Deconstruction: Teaching and Learning the UnEssay to Explore Artistic Modes of Inquiry in a Graduate LIS Course

Abstract

This visually-engaging poster presents a case study of an art librarianship graduate course in which students engaged in an UnEssay assignment. While many library and information science (LIS) graduates have undergraduate degrees in art history, fewer have degrees in studio arts, and therefore, less first-hand knowledge of artistic practices. This is problematic because approaches to artistic modes of inquiry vary significantly compared to predominantly text-based research practices used throughout other areas within the humanities.

The UnEssay, as defined by Marc Kissel, gives students space to “choose not just the topic but the medium in which they can best present their ideas.” Students chose an area of interest within art librarianship and undertook a project which allowed them to express their learning by making something. The poster will include photos of student projects in various media, including fiber arts, GIS mapping, and collage. It will also share students’ reflective writing about their learning experience in which they share how their UnEssays related to specific competencies found in the "Art Libraries Society of North America (ARLIS/NA) Core Competencies for Art Information Professionals" publication as well as any new skills they learned creating their UnEssay project.

Poster viewers will learn practical and theoretical impacts of assigning an UnEssay project at the graduate level. Viewers will also leave with an expanded knowledge of incorporating the UnEssay into a course design.