B.A. in Visual Art Studies (Major)
Prague, Czech Republic
DURATION
3 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline *
EARLIEST START DATE
Request earliest startdate
TUITION FEES
EUR 10,500 / per year **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* rolling admissions; if you need a visa, we recommend applying at least 10 weeks prior to the start date of the semester in which you want to start your studies
** for Non-EU | for EU 9000 EUR per year
Introduction
The B.A. in Visual Art Studies program offers three different areas of concentration: Art History and Art Theory, Arts Management & and curatorial studies, and Studio Art options from painting, photography, and sculpture to conceptual and cross-media arts.
This program is unique in that students acquire knowledge from different aspects of the art world, preparing them for a better variety of options in the future, including the pursuit of an MFA (Master in Fine Arts). The studio art classes are all taught by internationally recognized and active artists. Visual Art Studies also requires an interdisciplinary liberal arts foundation, and limited electives in Humanities and Media Studies are encouraged. By studying sociology, psychology, media studies, politics, and economics, students develop critical and informed thinking about humanitarian and social issues, which is such a part of the contemporary art scene. Students in this program thus gain a deeper or more sophisticated grasp of art history and art theory beyond usual art-studio focused programs, thus giving them a distinct competitive advantage for local and international pursuits.
Admissions
Curriculum
Visual Art Studies is a 3-year study program. To graduate, students must accumulate 90 US credits (180 ECTS credits) by completing 30 courses. This program does not include a specific concentration, instead, students are required to take more major courses which allow for more choice of electives.
Below, you can find the study plan for the Visual Art Studies program as well as a list of courses available to choose from.
General Education Module Courses
General Education: English Communication
- Composition I
General Education: Social Sciences / Major
- Intro to Psychology
General Education: Diversity and Values / Major
General Education: Quantitative Reasoning
- Computer Information Systems
General Education: English Communication
- Composition II
General Education: Civilization – Take 1 course from the list:
- World History I
- EUROPEAN HISTORY I: THE ORIGIN OF EUROPE
- European History II
General Education: Social Sciences – Take 1 course from the list:
- Introduction to Politics (Politics I)
- Intro to Sociology
- Intro to Economic Thought
Visual Art Major Studies Module Courses
- History of Art I
- History of Art 2/Art in the Age of Enlightenment: From the Renaissance to Romanticism
Take 1 course from the list:
- Intro to Drawing
- Art Studio Practice: Materials, Techniques & Mathods of Painting
- Cross-Media Art Studio
Take 1 course from the list:
- Visual Culture
- Visual Literacy
- Modernism – From Realism to Modern Art
- Intro to Critical Art Theory
- Humanities, Society and Culture: Art and Society
- History of Art IV: End of Modernism to Contemporary Art
ART270 Selected Topics in 20th Century Art
- Contemporary Art Scene
- ART350 Internship
- ART394 Thesis Seminar
- ART390 Thesis
Required/Optional Major Module Courses
Take 1 course from the list:
- SEMINAR IN AESTHETICS
- HSS321 Secessionist Art
- Renaissance Art, Architecture and Culture
- ART235 History of Architecture
- ART335 From Gothic to Modern: Art in Bohemia
Take 1 course from the list:
- Intro to Drawing
(if not taken as a major course) - Art Studio Practice: Materials, Techniques & Mathods of Painting
(if not taken as a major course) - Cross-Media Art Studio
(if not taken as a major course) - Studio Art in Practice: Abstract
- Prague Art and Architecture
Take 2 courses from the list:
- INTRO TO FILM STUDIES
- Intro to Film Language
- History of Cinema—The Auteurs
- Documentary Photography
- Intro to Digital Photography
- Intermedia Art Studio
- ART276 Digital Tools for Media Arts
Take 1 course from the list:
- Intro to Curatorial Studies
- ART450 Arts and Cultural Management
- Writing about arts and culture
Take 1 course from the list:
- PSY361 Psychoanalysis and Art (Prerequisites: PSY150)
- PSY366 Psychoanalysis of Film (Prerequisites: PSY150)
- PSY280 Psychology of Art and Culture
- ART310 Performance & Ritual
- ART304 Concept: Pursuing an Idea in the Art Process
Open Elective Module Courses
On top of that, students can choose 3 open elective courses (depending on the concentration or minor) offered by the School of Journalism, Media & Visual Arts (any concentration) or any other school at AAU. Courses are subject to change according to interest and availability. Examples: Spanish I; Public speaking; Prague Art and Architecture; Creative writing; Gender, Minority and Culture. More examples can be found in the course catalog. (Please note that some courses are advanced and require prerequisites; therefore, cannot be taken as electives. Consult your Assistant Dean before choosing an elective).
Gallery
Program Outcome
Graduates of the B.A. in Visual Art Studies program can expect to:
- Learn and participate in all of the various aspects of the contemporary art world.
- Develop skills in art studio electives according to each student’s own level of expertise and interest.
- Understand the complex world of art from historical, theoretical, and economical perspectives.
- Be qualified for advanced studies in art history or art studio, and research and curatorial or art fellowships.
- Communicate professionally, decisively, and strategically in verbal and written English; our graduates are able to identify, describe, and discuss complex issues and debates to international audiences.
The B.A. program in Visual Art Studies prepares students to work in new media, graphic design, and advertising, as well as in museums, galleries, exhibition venues, heritage protection, and conservation, public administration institutions and NGOs focused on art. This program is also an ideal primer for the pursuit of an MFA.
Career Opportunities
AAU graduates thrive in multinational environments and are able to communicate professionally in English to international audiences. This program is also an ideal primer for the pursuit of an MFA. As a graduate of this degree program, you will be well-equipped to continue your studies or pursue a global career in areas such as:
- New Media
- Graphic Design
- Advertising
- Museum/Gallery work
- Art Exhibitions
- Heritage Protection and Conservation
- Public Administration
- Art NGO’s or Institutions
Interesting internship opportunities for VAS: Kunsthalle Praha, Latin Art Gallery, Jindrich Chalupecky Society, Centre of Contemporary Arts Gallery, Meetfactory.