1. 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.