MESTD4111 Art in Context: Aesthetics Course description

This course elucidates relevant theory and concepts for both the interdisciplinary and specific art fields. The course presents concepts that are important in contemporary international aesthetic fields through theory and examples including contemporary expressions in art, design, craft, dramatic art, applied theatre, fashion and performance, as well as recent artistic research and scholarly research. The students will choose a specialisation in one of three areas. Contemporary practices and theoretical perspectives on:Art, design and architecture; Performance and applied theatre; or Art, design, science and technology.

The course covers documentation, selection and analyses of relevant examples in the student’s own field of interest, as well as interdisciplinary Cooperation.

No requirements over and above the admission requirements.

Knowledge

The student:

• has broad knowledge of theoretical perspectives on the interdisciplinary aesthetic field
• has in-depth knowledge of recent international aesthetic theory and practice in specific fields
• has broad knowledge of relevant forms of reference and documentation

Skills

The student:

• is capable of analysing relevant theories in the field and working independently with practical and theoretical problem-solving
• is capable of reflecting on diversity and different ethical perspectives in the aesthetic field
• is capable of assessing and critically reflecting on the influence of technology in the aesthetic field
• is capable of selecting, analysing and discussing relevant contemporary works in the international and Nordic aesthetic field

Competence

The student:

• is capable of communicating with various target groups about research questions, analyses and positions in the interdisciplinary aesthetic field

The course provides a joint introduction to relevant art theories and perspectives on ethics and diversity for an interdisciplinary aesthetic field. The student will then choose to specialise in one of three areas:

Contemporary practices and theoretical perspectives on:

• Art, design and architecture.
• Performance and applied theatre.
• Art, design, science and Technology.

Teaching consists of lectures, workshops, seminars and group assignments. Students will prepare for the exam by reading the required literature, seeking out relevant work and participating in teaching activities and group work. Teaching will be in both Norwegian og English.

This course covers differences in user requirements due to user heterogeneity, situational variations and the wide range of hardware, software and versions of these. Identification of disabling barriers and how these can be eliminated or reduced through universal design of ICT is a central theme in this course. Furthermore relevant guidelines, regulations and legislation will be covered.

No formal requirements over and above the admission requirements.

A student who has completed this course should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

On successful completion of this course the student has:

• thorough knowledge of diversity among users, equipment and user situations
• thorough knowledge of demography and age structure of society, trends and tendencies and their implications for universal design of ICT
• thorough knowledge of sensory, motor and cognitive disabilities
• thorough knowledge of the concept of disability and the Gap model
• advanced knowledge of disabling barriers in ICT solutions
• advanced knowledge about universal design and accessibility
• thorough knowledge about accommodation, assistive technology and welfare technology
• has advanced knowledge of relevant laws, policies and standards

Skills

On successful completion of this course the student can:

• analyse and deal critically with different user requirements, and apply these to structure and formulate arguments regarding accessibility, accommodation, and universal design of ICT
• analyse contradictions within/between universal design, accessibility and accommodation in different situations

General competence

On successful completion of this course the student can:

• disabling barriers of ICT solutions based on the Gap model
• can carry out independent study and master dedicated terminology related to user diversity, impairment, disability and universal design
• communicate scientific problems, analysis and conclusions in ICT and user diversity, impairment, disability and universal design to both specialists in health care and the general public

This course is organized as a series of lectures and seminars where students present and discuss core concepts and topics in the literature. Guest lectures will be held on chosen topics. There will be visits to, for example, public institutions, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and rehabilitation centres. Each student works on a project assignment on a topic from the curriculum, and will have their work peer reviewed by two fellow students.

The following required coursework must be approved before the student can take the exam:

• Individual oral presentation of a journal or conference article in class (15-20 minutes).
• Being opponent against one student presentation and prepare two questions for this.
• Obligatory participation in two excursions is required in order for the student to pass this course. The dates for the excursions will be announced at semester start.

Exam in two part:

• Individual project report (4000-5000 words +/- 10%). The project examination counts 60% of the final grade.
• Individual oral examination (20 minutes for each candidate). The oral examination counts 40% of the final grade.

Both exams must be passed in order to pass the course.

The oral examination cannot be appealed.

New/postponed exam

In case of failed exam or legal absence, the student may apply for a new or postponed exam. New or postponed exams are offered within a reasonable time span following the regular exam. The student is responsible for registering for a new/postponed exam within the time limits set by OsloMet. The Regulations for new or postponed examinations are available in Regulations relating to studies and examinations at OsloMet.