Table of contents

The course is connected to the following study programs

Teaching language

English

Prerequisites

Higher Education Entrance Qualification

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of the course, students shall:

• be able to explain how art and culture reflect, interacts with, and influences society.

• be able to give examples of diverse working methods and contexts of Socially Engaged Arts-practices

• be able to explain ethical concerns related to participatory art practices and art in the public sphere.

• be able to explain basic terms related to the multidisciplinary field of Socially Engaged Arts

Contents

The course gives a multidisciplinary introduction into how art and culture reflect, interact with, and influence social issues, cultural dynamics, and community engagement. The main themes involve the arts and cultures’ role and potential in social activism, the representation of societal themes in artistic works, and the ways in which art can foster dialogue, challenge norms, and contribute to social change. The semester is divided into four thematic work periods (WP).

• WP 0 - Orientation (teaching environment preparation phase)

• WP 1 - Making sense of society

• WP 2 - Societal Art in Practice

• WP 3 - Co-creation, power, and ethics

• WP 4 - Worklife competences and entrepreneurship

WP 1 Making sense of society provides a short introduction to the arts possibility to promote critical reflection, democratic spaces, or propaganda/manipulation.

WP 2 Societal Art in Practice demonstrates examples of artistic practices through interviews with artists related to the Socially Engaged Art-field.

WP 3 - Co-creation, power, and ethics addresses various ethical challenges related to participatory art practices and art in the public sphere.

WP 4 - Worklife competences and entrepreneurship gives a short introduction to skills and competencies that artist and interaction designers utilize in the field.

Teaching and learning methods

The course utilizes Team-Based-Learning, where the students are divided by the lecturer into permanent teams maintained throughout the course. Each work period begins with individual preparation, where the students individually engage with learning objects, such as videos, podcasts, literature and reflection questions. This is followed by a readiness assurance process, with group discussions, a collaborative quiz and a mandatory seminar. Each work period is concluded by an application exercise, which involves a mandatory assignment (individual or group) and a self-evaluation-task. Parts of the lessons are mandatory. These will be presented in Canvas at the beginning of the semester. Expected workload for an average student is 27 hours per credit.

Examination requirements

  • Approved attendance in compulsory seminars
  • 4 approved assignments (individual and/or group).

Further information is provided in Canvas at the beginning of the semester.

Examinations

Individual digital oral exam. Duration: 15 minutes. Assignment is published two weeks before the exam day. Assessment terminology: Grading by letters.

Student evaluation

The course responsible, in consultation with the student representative, decides the method of evaluation and whether the courses will have a midterm- or end of term evaluation in accordance with the Quality System, section 4.1.

Offered as a free-standing course

Yes

Admission Requirement if given as a free-standing course

Higher Education Entrance Qualification.

Reduction of Credits

This course’s contents overlap with the following courses. A reduction of credits will occur if one of these courses is taken in addition:

Course Reduction of Credits
TFL130 – Art in Society – Exploring and Creating Practices. 2.5
Last updated from FS (Felles studentsystem) Oct. 15, 2026 8:29:41 AM