Exploring Arts & Society: Institutions and beyond

Course goals

Advanced knowledge of the different kinds of texts that form the discourse of arts and society.
Advanced knowledge of the institutional and industrial sectors of the arts.

Ability to prepare and collectively explore the presence of the arts in contemporary society with the use of (a combination of) critical discourse analysis and qualitative interviewing

Content

Our starting point is the notion of "exploration" as a way of encountering the various tangible and intangible places where art and culture become visible in society. For some, it may be a very structured journey, where exploration is guided by a clear search for an answer. For others, it's a wandering or meandering, a more adventurous route with no predetermined destination. This course provides a context for discussing together what it means to explore.

To give direction to this exploration, we will immerse ourselves in two particular methodologies: critical discourse analysis (CDA) and qualitative interviews. CDA takes a broad and systematic look at power structures and relations within various art worlds, as well as their many forms of entanglement and intersection. A qualitative interview is a way of collecting data/insights/opinions/... and is - among other things - a way of revealing information that is not (easily) accessible through other sources. Both modes of research are not exclusive and often go hand in hand in research.

The terms policy, politics, and polity form the common thread in our discussion of CDA. By examining different texts, archives, practices, institutions and sectors, we will explore the lived realities behind concepts such as the national, the transnational, the inter-national, and how these realities shape an artist's work in and for society. For the qualitative interview, we will look at the different steps in the interview process, including stages such as topic lists and coding. In addition, various examples will be discussed to provide insight into the possibilities and limitations of this approach.

We will also take a first step toward the internship. The internship is a required part of the Arts & Society program and takes place during the second semester. We cover the practical aspects of the internship, such as finding and securing an internship position, the rationale and design of the research component of the internship, and the formal requirements of the internship work plan and report.

We also explore the cultural field by leaving the classroom and immersing ourselves in the world of art and culture, both physically and digitally. Through field trips and hands-on assignments, we make an active connection between academic discourse and the art world.

Additional information

This is a compulsory course in the curriculum of the MA in Arts and Society. Students from other MA programmes should consult the course coordinator before enrolling, as this is the only way to secure participation. 
The entrance requirements for Exchange Students will be checked by International Office and the program coordinators. You do not have to contact the program coordinators by yourself.

Career orientation:
Gain insight in the different types of text used in the arts-based work (e.g. grant proposals, policy papers).
Gain insight in the role of institutions within the domains of the arts and society, and the position of extra-institutional practices.