Enrolment options

ARTS-A0123 - Theory of Contemporary Art Practices , Lecture, 15.4.2025-27.5.2025

Please note! Course description is confirmed for two academic years, which means that in general, e.g. Learning outcomes, assessment methods and key content stays unchanged. However, via course syllabus, it is possible to specify or change the course execution in each realization of the course, such as how the contact sessions are organized, assessment methods weighted or materials used.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course develops students’ ability to understand art and cultural diversity, and how images, objects, media, and architecture have shaped the world, both in the past and the present. Students will learn to view and understand art, design, architecture and media in relation to different periods, cultures and societies. The course aims to encourage a comparative, transdisciplinary approach to the analysis of works of art, design and architecture. 

After completing the course the students have gained knowledge of basic research methods and modes of presentation appropriate to the study of art. They are able to identify and use vocabulary, terminology and key concepts of aesthetics and art history. They are aware of how works of art and their different approaches and interpretations affect our understanding of history, cultures and societies. The students are able to pay attention to visual literacy, and they understand how the viewing experiences of art and media are based on knowledge and memory. They have abilty to identify and analyze historical facts, theoretical interpretations, and personal preferences when discussing and writing about art.

Credits: 3

Schedule: 15.04.2025 - 27.05.2025

Teacher in charge (valid for whole curriculum period):

Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Sanna Lehtinen

Contact information for the course (applies in this implementation):

CEFR level (valid for whole curriculum period):

Language of instruction and studies (applies in this implementation):

Teaching language: English. Languages of study attainment: English

CONTENT, ASSESSMENT AND WORKLOAD

Content

  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    We examine and analyze the phenomena of art by applying the basic methods of art research. Varying themes are illustrated with examples from different eras, cultures and different forms of visual art, architecture, design, clothing and body decoration. By getting to know the global field of art, students become aware of how the social and cultural context affects the understanding and interpretation of art. With the help of lectures, selected examples and written assignments, students learn to understand how art reflects and shapes societies. The lectures, study materials and short written assignments aim to strengthen the students' ability to locate their own thinking about art as part of a wider cultural context and to verbalize and discuss their work. Group discussions give students the opportunity to share ideas, apply what they have learned, and practice argumentation skills and the vocabulary of the field of art.

Assessment Methods and Criteria

  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Lectures, introductions and short presentations. Working in small groups. Discussion sections. Written assignments. Selected texts and other material contribute to student discussions and provide themes for individual written assignments. The course also includes a significant amount of visual material. 

    The approved completion of the course requires students to participate at least 80% of the classes, the completion of the given assignments within required time, as well as taking part in group work and discussion sections including familiarization with given texts and other material.

Workload

  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    24 h contact teaching including discussion sections, 57 h independent work

DETAILS

Study Material

  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Literature, articles, videos, and other visual material during the course and in MyCourses.

Substitutes for Courses
Prerequisites
SDG: Sustainable Development Goals

    8 Decent Work and Economic Growth

    13 Climate Action

    16 Peace and Justice Strong Institutions

    17 Partnerships for the Goals

FURTHER INFORMATION

Further Information

  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Teaching Language: English

    Teaching Period: 2024-2025 Spring V
    2025-2026 Spring V

    Registration:

    Priority order to courses is according to the order of priority decided by the Academic committee for School of Arts, Design and Architecture https//www.aalto.fi/en/services/registering-to-courses-and-the-order-of-priority-at-aalto-arts

    Students for whom the course is compulsory for their major/programme and who have scheduled it for the current academic year in their personal study plan (HOPS) are prioritized.

    A minimum of 10 students is needed for the course to be held. Maximum amount of participants is 45 students.

Rules of Conduct - Students´ Rights and Responsibilities (in force from 1 August 2020)

Aalto University Code of Academic Integrity and Handling Violations Thereof

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