General and Joint Studies
The objective of
General studies
is to provide the students with the conceptual tools of understanding the different elements of contemporary art and the different working methods as well as the factors entailed in working as an artist in our culture.
A command of the history and theory of contemporary art is a prerequisite for being able to evaluate current art trends and the contemporary world in a broad, independent and critical fashion. The theoretical instruction emphasises, in particular, the dialogue between the theory of contemporary art and different artistic practices. The objective of the instruction is for students to have sufficient intellectual information so that they possess a command of the field of international art theory and its different perspectives.
The teachers of general studies include both artists and theorists and, in addition to the appointed teaching staff, there are a number of lecturers. The objective of the large amount of instruction organised in the form of lessons is
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in addition to guaranteeing expertise in different fields
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to ensure that the needs of the students regarding the examination of questions in the theory, philosophy and arts are met in a comprehensive manner. Furthermore, writing instruction, the command of the artist's statement and essay genres and the understanding of the operational technicalities of the art world have a significant role in the studies.
Joint studies
covers the curriculum of the first academic year and tuition in drawing and perception, common for all students, as well as courses in information and communication technology and language education. At the beginning of the autumn term, new first-year students begin an intensive study module (called ‘
Mylly’, i.e. ‘Mill’) which lasts until the end of the autumn term. The study module, organised in a single group for all first-year students, consists of instruction in the basics of artistic work. The instruction includes basic studies in each student’s major subject (sculpture, painting, printmaking, time and space arts) and instruction in drawing and perception.
The instruction is mainly organised in periods, two to three weeks in length, led by different teachers and lecturers.