Philosophy of the Arts (MA)
About the programme
You will take courses at both the Leiden Institute for Philosophy and other institutes of the Faculty of Humanities.
Philosophy of the Arts gives you a thorough understanding of continental philosophy primarily, but by no means exclusively, by considering philosophical questions that arise within the arts. The programme includes two core courses on aesthetics, spanning from the beginning of reflections on art through the present, as well as one course built around a concrete work, representation or exhibition (Art in Action), along with elective courses in philosophy and in the arts.
Programme structure
The two-year programme consists of the following components:
- Core courses in philosophy, Philosophy of Art I and II (20 EC)
- One mandatory course in philosophy, Art in Action (10 EC)
- MA courses in the arts outside of philosophy (for a total of 40 EC)
- Elective courses selected from within Philosophy (for a total of 30 EC)
- Master’s thesis, thesis seminar, and exam (20 EC)
For a detailed programme, see this year's Prospectus.
Please note that this guide applies to the current academic year, which means that the curriculum for next year may slightly differ.
Internships
It is possible to do an internship as part of your MA programme, for example at a theater, museum or artistic organization. Our Career Services will help you in setting this up.
Objectives
The objective of the two-year master’s programme in Philosophy of the Arts is to provide you with advanced knowledge and understanding of the central questions in the philosophy of art with particular attention to their emergence out of works of visual, musical, literary, and performing arts, as well as in works within new fields in the arts. Rigorous interpretation, analysis, and critique of both philosophical and artistic works are among the key goals of this programme. Clear and precise presentation of this work orally and by means of writing is another key goal of the programme. Opportunities are provided for students to complement their skills by internships in the field of art or by exchange programmes with other universities.
Admission and Application
Do you want to find out if you are eligible for this Master's Programme?