DEPARTMENT OF AESTHETICS AND ART HISTORY
Department/course summary
The Department of Aesthetics and Art History was established in 1949 with the start of the new Faculty of Fine Arts at Tokyo University of the Arts, replacing the teachers’ course under the previous Tokyo Fine Arts School. Since its founding, the Tokyo Fine Arts School had made important contributions to the study of art history and aesthetics in modern Japan. With the establishment of the new university, this academic field was made into an independent Department of Aesthetics and Art History.
From its founding, the objective of the Department of Aesthetics and Art History has been to develop individuals capable of integrating art theory and practice. It has steadfastly maintained this fundamental policy up to the present day. At the same time, the department’s organization has developed with a focus on developing a full understanding of aesthetics and art history. Various related courses such as Artistic Anatomy have been established around this core. Under this structure, the Department of Aesthetics and Art History has graduated large numbers of outstanding figures in a wide range of arts-related fields, including curators, art critics, researchers, and journalists.
Based on this history, the educational philosophy of today’s Department is to develop individuals capable of contributing in a wide range of artistic fields through theoretical analysis and through deepening awareness of related fields revolving around art, gaining experience in creating their own works, and training in aesthetics and art history.
Policy
Curriculum Policy
The educational philosophy of the Department of Aesthetics and Art History is established on the idea of “Nurturing individuals who can acquire traditionally cultivated creativity, respond to a new era, and demonstrate outstanding originality.” To realize the educational objective of “Nurturing individuals who can contribute to various fields related to art, who deepen their awareness of various artistic elements related to fields focusing on fine arts through theoretical analysis and interpretation and through the study of aesthetics and art history,” the following department and thesis curriculum comprised of practical techniques and thesis is implemented:
I ． Department of Aesthetics and Art History, Faculty of Fine Arts
1． In the first year, students acquire knowledge and basic practical techniques in aesthetics and art history through the study of “Basic Practical Techniques” in Art I and Seminars in Aesthetics and Art History I and II.
2． Students of the Department of Aesthetics and Art History study “Basic Practical Techniques” in Art II A and B, “Classical Fine Arts Research” (Seminars and Research Trip) in the second year, expand their knowledge about fundamental practical techniques, and gain insights into the classical fine arts of Japan.
3． During the first to third year, students of the Department of Aesthetics and Art History study designated subjects (“An Introduction to the History of Fine Arts,” “Aesthetics,” and “An Introduction to Aesthetics”), take common courses, and learn foreign languages, acquiring the fundamental skills to study aesthetics and art history.
4． Over a course of four years, students of the Department of Aesthetics and Art History attend special lectures and seminars in aesthetics and art history and acquire specialized knowledge about aesthetics and art history.
5． By the third year, students of the Department of Aesthetics and Art History obtain the stipulated credits in the abovementioned points (1–4) and identify their research fields from among the areas of Aesthetics, Japanese and Asian Art History, Western Art History, and History of Crafts).
6． Students of the Department of Aesthetics and Art History are required to attend the “Thesis Writing Seminar” and write the dissertation in the graduation year. Under the guidance of the faculty members in each field, students identify the theme based on their awareness of the issues and write a thesis, which is a culmination of their research studies.
II．Master’s Program of the Department of Aesthetics and Art History (Aesthetics, Japanese and Asian Art History, Western Art History, History of Crafts), Graduate School of Fine Arts)
1． In the Master’s Program, students attend special lectures and seminars in their research field, and other special seminars and lectures that allow them to acquire advanced knowledge and research skills.
2． In the Master’s Program, students acquire presentation and discussion skills that are required as researchers through the presentation of research results in the course seminars.
3． In the Master’s Program, students are required to complete the Master’s thesis and position their research within the specialized field.
III. Doctoral Program of the Department of Aesthetics and Art History (Aesthetics, Japanese and Asian Art History, Western Art history, History of Crafts), Graduate School of Fine Arts)
1． In the Doctoral Program, students are required to enhance their highly specialized knowledge through comprehensive creative research, special lectures and seminars, and special research and guidance in their research area.
2． In the Doctoral Program, students are required to proactively conduct thesis presentations and research presentations, narrow down the research achievements within the specialized area, and acquire skills to become independent professionals.
3． In the Doctoral Program, students must acquire a broad range of knowledge and liberal arts perspectives in not only their specialized area but also other relevant areas.
4． In the Doctoral Program, students are required to improve their research execution capabilities on their own, orienting themselves toward the completion of the doctoral thesis.
Diploma Policy
The educational philosophy of the Department of Aesthetics and Art History is founded on the idea of “Nurturing individuals who can acquire traditionally cultivated creativity, respond to a new era, and demonstrate outstanding originality.” In order to realize the educational objective of “Nurturing individuals who can contribute to various fields related to art, who deepen their awareness of various artistic elements related to fields focusing on fine arts through theoretical analysis and interpretation and through the study of aesthetics and art history,” the departmental curriculum comprising the practical techniques and thesis has been implemented. The following aspects are important to obtain the degree based on this curriculum:
I. Department of Aesthetics and Art History, Faculty of Fine Arts
1． Students of the Department of Aesthetics and Art History are required to be enrolled for the stipulated period, study the various lectures prescribed in the curriculum policy, and obtain the required credits.
2． Students of the Department of Aesthetics and Art History are awarded the Bachelor’s degree after the submission of the graduation thesis. The thesis must sufficiently demonstrate fundamental abilities of theoretical analysis and interpretation in the field of art. The full-time faculty of the concerned department and division will review the graduation thesis for the conferment of the degree.
II. Master’s Program of the Department of Aesthetics and Art History (Aesthetics, Japanese and Asian Art History, Western