Course summary

MRes Art: Theory and Philosophy promotes dialogue between practitioners and theorists about art discourse today. Suited to artists and writers, this pathway explores art and the philosophy of art from a contemporary perspective, embracing major ideas and debates of the past and present. The MRes Art course is part of the Art programme. MRes Art is made up of three specialist pathways: Theory and Philosophy; Moving Image; and Exhibition Studies. MRes Art uses research and writing to develop modes of questioning, speculative thinking and critical evaluation. Drawing upon a wealth of scholarly expertise from the staff team, visiting lecturers and practitioners, the course considers the relationship of contemporary art research to wider aesthetic, cultural and socio-political issues. The Theory and Philosophy pathway is for artists and writers who want to study philosophy and art from a contemporary perspective. You will investigate how radical innovations in philosophy today can facilitate not just an understanding of art, but also how they can shape developments in contemporary culture and art practice. The theories that the curriculum draws upon are at the forefront of thinking today. These include continental philosophy, the Marxist intellectual tradition and phenomenology. You will also study relevant theories for the plurality of art today within its socio-political context. These include theories of aesthetics, psychoanalysis, gender, race, linguistics, performance, affect, neuroscience, cybernetics, the algorithmic condition and the Anthropocene. About Central Saint Martins Central Saint Martins is a world-renowned arts and design college which brings together a diverse range of creative practices under one roof. It is known for breaking new ground and asking difficult questions. Across nine programmes of study, the College champions the power of imagination, curiosity, diligence, ambition and risk-taking. It challenges the cores of its disciplines, encouraging collision and exchange across boundaries to create unexpected outcomes. It aspires to give students the confidence to unearth ideas and formations that might provoke and disturb accepted norms. The Central Saint Martins community is dedicated to constantly discovering new ways of thinking, making and doing. Situated in King’s Cross, Central Saint Martins sits at the heart of a dynamic part of London: Google, The Guardian, Tom Dixon, Universal Music, Camden Council and many others are both neighbours and partners. Students are empowered by the College’s world-class teaching, technical and support staff as well as inspired by their individual practices and industry experience. Central Saint Martins is often recognised for its academic excellence. In 2017, the Foundation Diploma in Art and Design was awarded ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted, and the College was named best provider of both undergraduate and postgraduate fashion education in the Business of Fashion’s Global Fashion School Rankings in 2016 and 2017 consecutively. Courses sit within nine programmes: Access and Progression to Higher Education; Art; Culture and Enterprise; Fashion; Graphic Communication Design; Jewellery, Textiles and Materials; Performance; Product, Ceramic and Industrial Design; and Spatial Practices.