Enseignements théoriques

Les cours théoriques dispensés par des enseignant·es spécialistes constituent un enseignement à part entière qui nourrit l’ensemble du cursus de l’étudiant. Leurs apports spécifiques sont destinés à lui fournir des outils conceptuels, à l’aider à investir des savoirs et des méthodes, afin qu’iel soit en capacité de porter une distance critique sur ses productions artistiques et situer ses questionnements. Ces cours proposent une approche variée aussi bien dans les contenus (historiques, thématiques, transversaux) que dans les disciplines (histoire de l’art, sémiologie, philosophie, anthropologie…) et l’histoire spécifique aux médiums (photographie, vidéo, graphisme, design, typographie…). Communauté d’enseignant·es, le collège théorie est en lien étroit avec les enseignements pratiques. Les théoricien·nes assistent ainsi aux présentations de travaux qui se font en présence des plasticien·nes, et participent à l’évaluation des démarches.

Les cours magistraux prennent donc en compte les travaux vus en atelier, et les questions soulevées par ces derniers. La recherche pédagogique avec un groupe réduit d’étudiant·es fait partie de la réflexion théorique. C’est ainsi que les groupes de travail réinvestissent dans leurs productions propres les appareils critiques acquis lors des cours théoriques. L’accompagnement théorique continu en atelier, en articulation étroite avec les plasticien·nes, contribue à une pertinence des problématisations choisies de la recherche, notamment, celles indispensables à l’élaboration du mémoire de fin d’études. Cette mise à l’épreuve de la théorie au regard de la recherche et de l’expérimentation artistique constitue une expérience de pensée in vivo. Enfin, les étudiant·es sont invités à assister aux conférences et projections présentées au sein des deux sites de Mulhouse et Starsbourg, ainsi qu’à l’auditorium du Musée d’art moderne et contemporain de Strasbourg et à la Filature à Mulhouse.

During their period at art school, students at the Haute école des arts du Rhin have a unique opportunity to experiment, research, and learn from each other. The school offers a multi-cultural and linguistic context that is one of the most enriching environments in which to evolve. Classes in English can be found in every department and some teachers follow the student’s work individually in English on demand. These are not English classes (those take place at SPIRAL or CLAM, see the Guide de mobilité internationale for details) but sessions in English where students acquire technical, practical and theoretical knowledge in their specific fields, giving their work an opening to international opportunities. Students also get to experience different teaching methods used around the world, often focused on openness, co-teaching and collaborations, allowing students to gain the necessary self-knowledge and confidence to share their work and ideas with ease and enthusiasm. In a trusting and non-judging environment, all communication is in English, regardless of ability or level.

Specific topics and art practices taught in English
Teachers at the Haute école des arts du Rhin all have professional artistic careers outside the school. Each lesson in English therefore depends on the teacher’s specialism, regardless the language. Some courses in English, such as the following, are common to both Strasbourg and Mulhouse.

Creative Writing
Students learn to write engagingly whatever the language or topic. Methods used are not only helpful in writing texts in English but also allow students to acquire techniques that can then be applied to writing anything from simple stories to professional job applications.

Oral Presentations
Courses are designed in such a way that students gain ease when speaking in public. They learn how to develop strategies to cope with stressful situations and to discuss their work in an enthusiastic straight-to-the-point manner. Foreign artists, in residence at the HEAR or in the region, are regularly invited to share their on-going research with the students in these classes.

Portfolio Preparation
Portfolio Preparation courses help students create portfolios that are full of creativity and inspiration. Perspective on the work is obtained, allowing a better understanding of future directions. Portfolios can then be used to apply for further studies, studies abroad, or going directly into professional practice. Courses include the writing of a statement, curriculum vitae, motivation letter and can extend to help with communicating work efficiently online.

Bilingual courses
Just as collaborations between students are encouraged at the Haute école des arts du Rhin, teachers also get together, sometimes in two different languages, to teach. Bilingual classes can be found in Strasbourg and Mulhouse.

Credits
Work done in these classes is evaluated differently from class to class. Some courses are affiliated with theory and practice classes, others only with one or the other. Credits are not given for the level or ability in English but for whatever art practice the lesson is related to. Presence, motivation and the effort the students make in using the English language are priorities.