Program Overview

Aalto Doctoral Programme in Arts, Design and Architecture

Curriculum

The curriculum applies to students who have started their studies after 1.8.2022.

Structure of the Degree

• General research studies: 15-25 ECTS
• Research field studies: 15-25 ECTS
• Doctoral thesis: (no credits given)
  • Total: 40 ECTS

General Research Studies

Learning Outcomes

• Knowledge of the general theory of science and the arts
• General knowledge of research methods
• Academic writing skills, communication skills, information literacy
• Good argumentation skills, competence to present one's own research, and to address ethical questions relating to research
• Transferable work life and career skills, pedagogical studies

Suggested Ways to Complete the Module

• Primarily courses offered by the Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture and the Aalto University Language Centre
• Also, courses offered by other Aalto Schools or other universities
• Also, individual study attainments in the form of:
  • Conference paper/presentation
  • Teaching activities (university level)
  • Summer/winter school, research workshop/seminar

All individual studies need to be agreed with the supervising professor in advance.

Compulsory Courses

• ARTS-L0100 Introduction to Doctoral Studies, 1-2 ECTS (1 ECTS compulsory component)
• ARTS-L0102 Doing Research, 6 ECTS
• LC-L1010 Research Ethics for Doctoral Students, 1-2 ECTS (1 ECTS online component of the course is compulsory, 1 ECTS workshop days are recommended)

Optional Courses

• General courses, methods and methodology:
  • ARTS-L0110 Research through Art and Design, 2-4 ECTS
  • ARTS-L0111 Methods of Qualitative Research, 6 ECTS
  • AXM-L1006 Artistic and Art-Based Research, 4 ECTS
• Philosophy and theory:
  • AXM-L1001 Contemporary Theories for Art Research, 4 ECTS
  • ARTS-L0112 Philosophy of Science, 6 ECTS
  • ARTS-L0606 Knowing Aesthetics, 6 ECTS
  • ARTS-A0623 Global Perspectives: Re-mapping the History of Art, 3 ECTS
  • ARTS-E0711 Sculpture Now!, 6 ECTS
• Research writing, presentation skills:
  • LC-1331 Presenting Doctoral Research, 3 ECTS
  • LC-1335 Preparing for the Doctoral Defence, 1 ECTS
  • LC-1336 Popularize your Research LCA-1050, 2 ECTS
  • LCA-1050 Writing Doctoral Research for Arts, 3 ECTS
  • LC-L1017 Asiantuntijaesittämisen valmennus jatko-opiskelijoille, 3 ECTS
  • LC-L1018 Tutkimusraportoinnin tekstiretriitit jatko-opiskelijoille, 3 ECTS
  • ELO-L1001 Artistic research writing, 3-6 ECTS

Research Field Studies

Learning Outcomes

• Field-specific knowledge of the theory, history, and methods
• Field-specific argumentation and communication skills
• Required skills and knowledge to conduct research in the doctoral student's specific research topic

Suggested Ways to Complete the Module

• Department's / research field's doctoral seminar (compulsory)
• Courses offered by the Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture
• Courses offered by other Aalto Schools or other universities
• Individual study attainments in the form of:
  • Conference paper/presentation
  • Publication or art/design production not included in the doctoral thesis
  • Literature review / report on literature package
  • Teaching activities (university level)
  • Bachelor's / Master's thesis advising
  • Reflective report on art/creative practices related to the thesis topic
  • Summer/winter school, research workshop/seminar

All individual studies need to be agreed with the supervising professor in advance.

Compulsory Courses

• Department's / Research field's doctoral seminar, min. 3 ECTS
  • If the doctoral student would like to participate in some other doctoral seminar instead or would like to propose some other arrangement, this needs to be approved by the supervising professor.
  • Seminars usually meet approximately once a month. Doctoral students present their own research projects as well as discuss field-specific theories and literature. Seminars teach academic reading, writing, and discussion.

Optional Courses

• Optional doctoral courses:
  • ARK-L5003 Planning Theory, 6 ECTS
  • ARK-L5004 Urban Studies, 6 ECTS
  • AXM-L1000 Department of Media Doctoral School, 2-6 ECTS
  • ELO-L1001 Artistic research writing, 3-6 ECTS
  • ELO-L1004 Art-Practice-led and artistic research methodologies in film, scenography & costume, 3-6 ECTS
  • MUO-L0010 Department of Design Thematic Research Seminar, 3 ECTS
  • MUO-L1001 Positioning in the Fields and Practices of Design Research, 2 ECTS
  • MUO-L1002 Analysing Doctoral Theses in Design, 2 ECTS
  • AXM-L1001 Contemporary Theories for Art Research, 4 ECTS
  • AXM-L1002 Art, environment and activism, 3 ECTS
  • AXM-L1003 Curating and its Futures, 6 ECTS
  • AXM-L1004 Perspectives on Art Pedagogy, 6 ECTS
  • AXM-L1005 Research Assemblage, 3 ECTS

Doctoral Thesis

Learning Outcomes

• Have competence to carry out independent and original academic research / have the high competence to search for and apply knowledge, and most importantly, the ability to independently formulate research questions and use scientific research methods to create new scientific knowledge
• Be able to make such syntheses and critical assessments as are required to solve and process complex problems in research and innovation and in other areas of society
• In the field of art, they may also have the ability to independently create methods or products or performances that meet high standards of art and creative practice

The doctoral thesis is written on a topic which is related to the student's research field and which has been approved by the doctoral programme committee of the School. The thesis shall contribute to new scientific knowledge. The thesis includes a public defence after a pre-examination process.

Individual Study Attainments

It is recommended that the required 40 ECTS are completed by taking courses offered by Aalto University and possibly other universities, but it is also possible to include individual study attainments to the degree. All individual studies need to be agreed with the supervising professor in advance in the study plan of the student.