Erasmus University Rotterdam

Arts and Culture Studies: Understanding the Role of Art and Culture in Society

Categorie
Verdiepende minor
Code
MINESHCC-1
Tijdsduur
10 weken

Minor ACS introduction video

Content

The minor Arts and Culture Studies offers a broad overview of the world around arts and culture.
This overview will be offered in three related courses.
Art, Culture and History introduces students to the historical developments in the arts from the Middle Ages to contemporary society, taking into account the context in which they took place. Art, Culture and Society offers a sociological view on the art world, addressing the production, distribution and appreciation of art. Finally, The Art of Filmmaking focuses on film as one of the most popular art forms today. Taking an interdisciplinary perspective, this course focuses on the historical development of film, including the study of film content and analysis.

Learning objectives

After completing the minor, students:

  • have a wide-ranging knowledge and critical understanding of theory, history and the practice of the world of arts and culture, in the Netherlands as well as internationally;
  • are familiar with the academic thinking about relations between art and society;
  • are able to apply relevant theoretical concepts from within art and cultural sociology in the arts and culture practice.

Special aspects

Proficiency in spoken and written English is essential. We advise a VWO-final examination grade of 7 or higher, a TOEFL-test minimum score of 100 or an IELTS-test minimum score of 7.

Overview modules

Module 1: Art, culture and History (CC9001)

  • Code: CC9001
  • ECTS: 5
  • Content: The aim of this course is to present to non-arts students an introduction to the historical development of (Western-)European art and culture from the late Middle Ages onwards. We question how developments of the past have resulted in the art world as we know it today. Students will be able to reflect on these developments and the context in which they took place, and be able to identify and discuss important works of art/art movements in visual arts, architecture, literature, music, and philosophy.
  • Teaching method: Lectures.
  • Teaching materialsl: Will be announced.
  • Contact hours: 2 hours per week.
  • Self study: 11 hours per week.

Module 2: Art, Culture and Society (CC9002)

  • Code: CC9002
  • ECTS: 5
  • Content: This course provides an introduction to the sociology of culture and the arts as a scientific discipline. The goal is to familiarize students with the social character of the production, distribution and appreciation of art and cultural products by applying relevant theoretical sociological concepts and approaches to the practice of the art and cultural sectors.
  • Teaching method: Seminars.
  • Teaching material: Victoria Alexander Sociology of the Arts, Exploring Fine and Popular Forms (2003). ISBN10: 0631230408; (ISBN: 139780631230403).
  • Contact hours: 2 hours per week.
  • Self study: 8 hours per week.

Module 3: The Art of Filmmaking (CC9010)

  • Code: CC9010
  • ECTS: 5
  • Content: When studying art and culture, film is one cultural discipline that demands our attention. In all its diversity, film is an extremely popular art form. It constitutes a major industry and its stories, characters, and taglines have found their way into mainstream culture. In this course, we explore the art of filmmaking from various academic perspectives. We discuss the historical development of cinema as an entertainment industry as well as film as an art product. We learn to use and read film grammar and analyse filmic content. We discuss major topics in film criticism and film theory. Finally, we consider the reception and effect of films within their social, cultural, and political contexts. All course lectures, materials, and communication will be in English. Minor students are allowed to write assignments in Dutch.
  • Teaching method: Lectures.
  • Teaching material: Will be announced.
  • Contact hours: 2 hours per week.
  • Self study: 12 hours per week.

Examination 

Method of examination

Module 1 - Art, Culture and History:

  • one assignment
  • written exam

Module 2 - Art, Culture and Society:

  • two group assignments (presentation and weblog)
  • final essay

Module 3 - The Art of Filmmaking:

  • written exam

Composition final grade

Module 1 - Art, Culture and History:      

  • assignments (30%)
  • written exam (75%)

Module 2 - Art, Culture and Society:      

  • group assignment: presentation and weblog (30%)
  • final essay (70%)

Module 3 - The Art of Filmmaking:         

  • written exam (100%)

Students should finalize each course with a sufficient grade; compensation is not possible.

Feedback
There will be a possibility to view the corrected exams.
Essays with corrections and feedback will be returned to the students.

Veelgestelde vragen

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Contact information 

Prof.dr. C.J.M. van Eijck
vaneijck@eshcc.eur.nl
(010) 408 2461 
room: M7-13

Faculty website
https://www.eur.nl/eshcc/people/koen-van-eijck

Categorie
Verdiepende minor
Code
MINESHCC-1
Tijdsduur
10 weken
Organisatie
Erasmus School of History, Culture and Communication
Studiepunten (EC)
15
Voertaal
Engels
Locatie
Campus Woudestein, Rotterdam

Registration

Please read the application procedure for more information.