Breaking Out of Traditional Teaching Methods: Department of Sociology and Social Work Breaking Out of Traditional Teaching Methods: Using Arts-Based Research Assignments in the Classroom Jessica Spears Williams, M.A. Assignment objectives or background Assignment instructions or prompt Feedback or revisions over semesters Example of completed assignment Leavy (2017) suggests that Arts-Based research “allows us to tap into the unique capabilities of the arts as a way of knowing” (p,.191). Allowing students to CREATE ART is a way for me to let my students use other parts of their brain and talents to impart the knowledge gained. I like to think of it as a form of authentic assessment. The objective of each of the assignments was to get students to think about research and the presentation of research in alternative ways. By allowing them to THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX, I have received some amazing work that students were PASSIONATE about. Intersectional Feminism: Using any arts- based method (poetry, painting, graphic design, video, collage, etc.) SHOW me what INTERSECTIONAL FEMINISM means to you. Disability Studies Project: Choose a disability that either you experience, or know someone who does. Research the disability. Interview someone with the disability. Present your data in an arts-based format (poetry, painting, graphic design, video, dance, collage, etc). Think outside the box!!! Final Project: Choose a topic appropriate for the class, or an important woman of color to research. Students may either write a 5-7 page research paper, or choose to present their information in an arts-based format (poetry, painting, graphic design, video, dance, collage, etc). Think outside the box!!! Wait…this is research? I liked that it was different and it the assignment challenged me to think outside the box. It was inspiring. I made a collage of African American women who were trailblazers who made a huge impact on the African American society in the late eighteenth century and early nineteenth century. We did an arts based project. This gave us the opportunity to write and be creative and expressive.. I had never gotten the opportunity to be creative but this made me explore and realize the importance of arts based projects. More classes should give students the opportunity to be creative. Especially if you are in a science based field where you are always doing research. It allowed students to explore concepts taught in class through art making.  It allowed students to explore concepts through art making. This assignment was great! I learned so much, and it actually made me want to come to class. Knitting, Poetry, Abstract Art, Pottery, Collage, Etc. Images used with student permission.