7Dec
PostgraduateCourse summary
The MA Contemporary Art Theory is for those with a special interest in contemporary art, and an aptitude for theoretical work in the subject. Why study MA Contemporary Art Theory at Goldsmiths
- This Masters explores a range of theoretical perspectives that shape art and visual culture, and attitudes towards them in the late 20th and early 21st centuries.
- You’ll be encouraged to conceptually and creatively explore the ways in which contemporary artistic practice and urgent theoretical and political matters intersect.
- You’ll expand your knowledge of contemporary artistic developments and deepen your understanding of the interdisciplinary nature of academic discourses on visual culture.
- The degree draws on the shifting fields of performance studies, art history, continental philosophy, ecology, feminist theory, queer theory, postcolonial/decolonial studies, and cultural studies in addressing the critical challenges posed by artistic practice, and you’ll be able to focus on an aspect that particularly interests you.
- You’ll take part in an assessed symposium, which provides you with a chance to present your dissertation topic at an early stage in order to define and progress your final project.
- Teaching is research-led and you will be taught by tutors who are leaders in their field.
Modules
The programme comprises an assessed introductory core module (made up of four blocks that thematically vary from year to year and of which students choose two), followed by two Special Subjects and the MA Dissertation. Students also attend the Visual Cultures Public Programme of lectures and other events. MA Contemporary Art Theory Core Module Special Subject 1 (MA Contemporary Art Theory) Special Subject 2 (MA Contemporary Art Theory) MA Contemporary Art Theory Dissertation The taught part of the programme runs from the end of September to the end of March, with additional guest lectures or workshops in May and June. It offers a framework to help you focus and develop your own understanding of contemporary art practice and its wider cultural significance. It is designed to develop your understanding of a range of critical and theoretical approaches that inform the heterogeneous field of visual art production while, at the same time, enabling you to identify and prepare the area of independent research you will carry out in your dissertation project. While about 10 members of staff from the department directly teach into the taught components of the MA, almost all staff are available for dissertation supervision. Special subjects Special subjects are in-depth taught modules that draw on the current research interests of staff. They enable you to focus on an aspect of contemporary art, cultural theory or contemporary thought that particularly interests you. Independent research From the end of March, you will start independent research on a subject of your own choosing. At the end of the spring term, you will submit your dissertation proposal and be assigned a dissertation tutor who will support your independent dissertation research and writing activities in an advisory capacity. Please note that due to staff research commitments not all of these modules may be available every year.
Assessment method
Visual Cultures assessment are 100% coursework. Normally this consists of essays, sometimes accompanied by creative projects, group projects, multi-media projects, presentations and symposia.
Entry requirements
You should normally have, or expect to gain, an undergraduate degree of at least upper second class standard in art history, fine art, another studio-based practice, arts administration and related activities, or a humanities discipline other than art history which demonstrates your ability to undertake work at Masters level. You don’t necessarily need a formal academic qualification in art history: we welcome applications from prospective students who do not meet the standard entrance requirements but can demonstrate appropriate knowledge and experience from outside academia in the world of work. Students with little or no formal training in art history/theory or a related humanities discipline often choose to take our Graduate Diploma in Contemporary Art History first. Then they apply to us with a strong foundation. Passing the Graduate Diploma with a grade of 2.1 or higher guarantees a place on our MA. We accept a wide range of international qualifications. If English isn’t your first language, you will need an IELTS score (or equivalent English language qualification) of 6.5 with a 6.5 in writing and no element lower than 6.0 to study this programme.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
No fee information has been provided for this course
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.
Provider information
Goldsmiths, University of London
New Cross
Lewisham
SE14 6NW