Art Studies (Arts)

The academic programme in Art Studies offers students comprehensive knowledge and skills on Armenian and World art history and theory that develops critical, analytical and creative thinking. The programme introduces students to masterpieces of art and enables applying the acquired knowledge to evolve in-depth research and professional activities.     Work at SAFAA and beyond   Our students evolve professional activity within the frames of variety of modules and courses taught at SAFAA enhancing the knowledge on art history and theory and critical thinking. The considerable part of teaching learning process is carried out outside SAFAA, namely in galleries, museums, state archives, Matenadaran, etc., where students are being given an opportunity to get acquainted and work with ancient, old and medieval, new and modern art works conducting relevant research as well as participate in archaeological excavations.     Teaching and administrative staff   Successful and effective implementation of the academic programme is ensured by teaching and administrative staff who are leading professionals of the field. The educational programme is delivered by Professors with huge experience in the field and young lecturers with professional qualities, as well as representatives of leading companies of labour market.     Graduates   Most of the graduates of Art Studies academic programme currently work in different cultural institutions of the Republic of Armenia, in particular, in the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of the Republic of Armenia, the National Gallery of Armenia, Matenadaran, research-scientific centre of Historical and Cultural Heritage, Museums and Galleries of the RA parallel to working in different educational institutions.     Bachelor Programme (4 years, 240 ECTS)   The mission of bachelor programme in Art Studies is to train nationally and internationally competitive art specialists through providing an environment conducive to student learning and self-development who can work in the fields of art history, theory, criticism, museology, overcome current challenges in the field of art, as well as have their input in the creation, maintenance and dissemination of national cultural values, raise of aesthetic taste of the society.     Learning Outcomes   Upon successful completion of Bachelor of Art Studies programme the graduate must:   1. Describe the evolutionary development of artistic phenomena throughout different historical periods, differentiate and characterise the most prominent works of Armenian and World art history.   2. Analyse works of art with all components in terms of processing techniques, stylistic critique, iconography and function, class chronology and topography. Acquire practical drawing skills to deepen and substantiate the theoretical knowledge.   3. Communicate in mother and foreign languages and be able to exchange knowledge and experience with the professional and non-professional community on different levels and forms.   4. Evolve research activities in the relevant field, mastering the main research methods and methodological approaches, being able to present the results comprehensively, orally and in writing.   5. Knowing the methods of obtaining and combining information from professional sources, using information and communication technologies, search and evaluate the information that has influenced the change of style, the form and direction.   6. Carry out documentary and catalogue work in the field of fine arts, using the main methodological approaches, as well as offer other opportunities and toolkits.   7. Orient in local and international art markets, analyse existing peculiarities.   8. Reveal, introduce and make popular not only the well-known and well studies artists and their works but also those who are still unknown or little-known.   9. Organize and manage individual and team work related to the field of art, overcoming the set challenges, orienting in the field by himself.   10. Initiate the favourable process of professional development according to the priorities of one’s own field of activity.   11. Understand the place and role of spiritual culture in the advancement of the nation and state and taking personal responsibility to discover, preserve, develop and disseminate national and universal spiritual cultural values.     Academic Environment   Teaching under the Art Studies bachelor programme at SAFAA is organised creating a unique environment for all students.   Special attention is attached to self-learning: the students spend a lot of time at libraries getting acquainted with the art works of different eras, studying them and making relevant analyses and creative critiques.   Teaching of the academic programme is implemented with a big focus to the place and role of inclusive approaches. Inclusion is one of the best manifestations of effective and successful teaching which enables ensuring equal and fair conditions, engage them in all the stages of education ensuring healthy and collaborative educational environment.     Curriculum (2021-2022 ac. year)   Teaching and learning process in the Bachelor programme of Art Studies is organised in auditoriums, library as well as through visits to the relevant institutions (Matenadaran, Galleries, etc.). Traditional teaching approaches are combined with the application of modern methods which allow students to gain the required knowledge on the theme of study, as well as present their own ideas developing critical and analytical skills.     I year   Through their first year of studies the students will have the opportunity to familiarise with and characterise the basic creations of Armenian and world fine arts and architecture beginning from ancient to antique era up to medieval period. They will learn the worldview bases of art formation and development in specific historical periods, will gain general knowledge of Armenian history, to clearly understand the historical basis of national art and its cycles. Students will study Old Armenian, mastering the basic vocabulary of Old Armenian, grammar, linguistics, for studying historical sources, collecting, processing and analysing quantitative and qualitative data related to the professional field. During the study period they will acquire the skills of applying IT, solving problems in the professional field, facilitating the work, as well as communicating effectively; in addition they will also be able to communicate in their native and foreign languages.   The ac. year will be terminated by an academic internship which will give the students an opportunity to use the theoretical knowledge in practice while participating in archaeological excavations.     II year   In the second study year, students will be able to describe the main works of medieval, modern Armenian, world fine arts and architecture, will know the correlation between the history of outlooks and artistic phenomena of the given periods.   They will master the basic methods of carrying out research, its stages, and professional writing skills. They will deepen their skills in applying IT in a professional context, as well as their professional and non-professional communication skills in Armenian and a foreign language. This year, students will attain basic drawing skills to gain a practical understanding of certain types of art, genres, materials and techniques, which will help to strengthen their theoretical knowledge.   In the 2nd year of studies the internship is organized in Matenadaran, a scientific-research institute of old manuscripts, within the frames of which the students will get acquainted with samples of medieval manuscripts, their maintenance and restoration.     III year   In the 3rd year, the students will have the opportunity to analyse works of art with all the components, to define the period and place of their creation, as well as work with texts on art. The modules designed for the mentioned year aim to develop analytical, critical thinking by analysing the works of contemporary Armenian and world art. Students will carry out documentary-catalogue work in the field of fine arts, applying the main methodological approaches. They will obtain basic knowledge on the connection and interaction between different types of art and related specialties (theatre, cinema, literature studies and ethnography). Upon studying and mastering the knowledge on the history of modern Armenian, Diaspora-Armenian and general fine arts the students will acquire a thorough knowledge on Art History and will make analyses based on them. They will gain in-depth professional knowledge of a foreign language for professional translations, master the basics of museum studies and archiving as well as fundamental theories on art and architecture, being able to formulate and address questions on the field.  This year, likewise, will give them practical painting skills.   The third year is also aimed at developing teamwork, professional, practical and organizational skills.     IV year   The fourth study year is aimed at developing the research skills in the given field, thus the students will master the basic research skills and methodological approaches, professional terminology, will be able to present the results in the form of comprehensive oral and written interpretation. They will be able to reveal, present, popularize both well-studied and well-known creators as well as their works and those who ae still unknown or little known; they will also be able to carry out thematic art research.   Final study year will direct students to identify their path to professional development according to the priorities of activity scope.     Modules   I year  

• Perception of Ancient World and Art
• Art Studies and Archaeology 1
• Armenian History
• Perception of Medieval Christian World an Art
• Art Studies and Archaeology 2
• Communication 1

    II year  

• World Perception and Art of 14th -18th  Centuries
• Professional Writing and Research Basics
• Communication 2
• World Perception and Art of Late 19th century and 20th century
• Painting 1
• Optional Courses 1

    III year  

• History of Art Studies and Theory of Art and Architecture 1
• Painting 2
• History of Art Criticism and Modern Art
• Interdisciplinary Project
• Optional Courses 2
• Interdisciplinary Courses
• Professional Translation
• History of Art Studies and Theory of Art and Architecture 2
• Museology and Achieving
• Optional Courses 3

    IV year  

• Professional Thematic Courses
• Research Practice
• Civil Defence/Ecology
• Optional Courses 4
• Final Work

    Optional Courses   Starting from the 2nd semester of the 2nd  study year, all the students of the academic programme can choose courses of deep professional or related fields that will develop their skills and abilities comprehensively and typical to the field.     Admission Requirements   Admission requirements and procedures for bachelor programme in “Art Studies” can be found here.