The open curriculum and the study plan
The master's programme ArtScience, like the bachelor's programme, is based on the concept of the open curriculum. Because the master students are admitted on the basis of a specific research plan and because two years is too short to familiarize themselves with the Interfaculty before making choices, this research plan is translated into a study plan together with the coaches. This study plan maps out the individual path of the student through the teaching modules on offer within the Interfaculty and related departments and institutions.
At the ArtScience Interfaculty there are four forms of tuition: research projects, labs, individual coaching and courses. These activities are open to master as well as bachelor students ArtScience. Starting the year 2009-2010 five labs are being set up within the Interfaculty, each of which is is a combination of a laboratory, a production facility and an ensemble of teachers, students, alumni and guests working there. Each lab is also a platform to offer coaching and space for projects by individual students, and a channel for the accumulation, documentation and dissemination of their research results and artworks. The aim is to gradually integrate the research proposals of the master's with this new lab structure where possible, and work towards a situation where bachelors assist in research projects.
Part of the study trajectory can consist of courses outside of the Interfaculty. Likely choices are the Introductory Courses offered by the KABK (Moving Image, WebDesign, 3d-animation, Sound) and the courses offered at the MediaTechnology master of Leiden University. Apart from this a broad spectrum of courses within the Royal Academy, the Royal Conservatoire and Leiden University are available. In the past students have followed courses in Sonology, Singing, Percussion, Photography, Print Making, Art History, Philosophy, Electronics, Sociology, Bio-informatics, Art and Genomics; we would like to encourage students to explore other possibilities and surprise us.
Self-study and coaching
Each master student has two teachers who coach the individual work, reflect on it together with the student, offer a context for it, suggest literature and other sources and often assist in solving practical problems. Depending on the nature of the research proposal each student has a certain amount of time for individual work and self-study within the MA programme. We aim to give some space to master's students to continue to be active within their network and keep presenting their work in the field.
Collective activities for masters students
There are a number of collective activities for all master's students, with the aim to offer a broader orientation on the ArtScience field and in order to stimulate the exchange of skills, knowledge and viewpoints.
Once a month there is a Master Meeting: a gathering of all master's students and a number of teachers. These meetings are intended to discuss the progress of each master's student, to collectively structure the individual research projects and to discuss matters of methodology.
Two times a year there is a 'Hands-On' project: a short, intensive working period during which all master's students work together towards a public presentation. These projects aim to develop collective production skills and to offer an introduction to a number of ArtScience topics. Every project is based on a theme brought in by two teachers.
During most of the year a theoretical course will take place, called "The Language of ArtScience". The aim of this course is to give an overview of the recurring questions that have dominated the ArtScience field in the last century and that continue to play a role in the current discussion about art, science and artistic research.
Presentations and evaluations
In January and in June there are collective presentations. On these days the students present an individual work representative of the research they have been doing in the last half year. All teachers are present at these presentations to discuss and evaluate the work. Also the general progress in the study is evaluated together with the student on the basis of their portfolio.
At the end of May there will be a preview of the MA final exam projects. These should be completed by this date, so that the remaining month can be used for rehearsals and fine-tuning.
Credit Points Overview
year 1
two Hands-On courses - 6 EC
Language of ArtScience - 7 EC
Master Meetings - 1 EC
individual study trajectory (study plan) - 28 EC
ArtScience colloquium - 2 EC
Presentation - 18 EC
Presentation - 28 EC
year 2
two Hands-On courses - 6 EC
Language of ArtScience - 7 EC
Master Meetings - 1 EC
individual study trajectory (study plan) - 18 EC
ArtScience colloquium - 2 EC
Presentation - 38 EC
Presentation 4: Final examination project - 20 EC
