Experimental Art-Based Formats as the Creative Practices of Teaching Sociology

Abstract

The article is devoted to the issues of experimental art formats which are considered by the author as an alternative way of understanding reality and conducting qualitative research. This approach is based on the author’s experience in doing qualitative research in different spheres, as well as teaching qualitative sociology at several universities. The contemporary world is always changing and makes many challenges, including big challenges in the field of sociology: it requires changing the ways of teaching sociology, doing research, and presenting data. On the one hand, we can observe the increasing demand for diversification of the methods of data presentation, because the different target audiences need diverted formats of data. On the other hand, through the creative presentation of research data, it is possible to quicker and more accessibly disseminate information about deprived groups of people that are now invisible and whose voices are not heard. Experimental art forms generate the possibilities for hearing their voices. The first part of the article provides a short description of the foundations of the approach. It explains the peculiar features of teaching experimental art format within the courses on qualitative sociology. The second part provides the examples of the experimental student’s projects which findings are presented in a creative manner.The essay may be of interest to teachers delivering courses on qualitative sociology, social psychology, creative writing, as well as to those who are looking for the non-standard research approaches and innovative thinking.

Keywords

• qualitative methods
• sociological writing
• creative writing
• experimental art formats
• action research
• doing sociology
• innovative sociology
• art-based research