The PhD programme aims at offering a high calibre research training in Fine Arts, both in History-Theory-Philosophy of Art, and Cultural Studies, in general, as well as critical and philosophical discourse around doctoral candidates’ own artistic creation.
Aims of the programme:
Α) the establishment of a high calibre research environment in the History and Philosophy of Art and Culture, and around artistic creation, in order to upgrade and enrich Cypriot cultural discourses, especially concerning contemporary issues in art and culture.
Β) the production of bibliographical, artistic and other materials, particularly regarding the arts, on modern and contemporary Cyprus – fields, in which there is still a small volume of scholarly lever, bibliographical and other sources.
Main research/thematic areas:
- Artistic creation in, and theoretical, philosophical and artistic discourses on, contemporary arts
- Modern and contemporary Cypriot culture, focusing on the arts
- Theories of nationalism, post-colonialism and globalisation, focusing on the place of the arts in the globalised environment, and in the formation or subversion of national and other collective, as well as individual, identities
- The Mediterranean, as a physical and symbolic space of/for anti-hegemonic discourse and praxis
PhD graduates will be able to pursue positions in universities, research institutions, as well as arts and cultural institutions in general, both in Cyprus and abroad, in addition to the further development (wherever applicable) of their own artistic oeuvre.
The language of instruction is Greek.
The language of writing for doctoral theses can be either Greek or English.
Programmes of study at Cyprus University of Technology, are based on the European Credits Transfer System (ECTS). ECTS is a student-centric, and is based on the amount of work necessary for achieving the aims of a programme, by acquiring ECTS units for each course. The load required for the Doctoral Degree in Fine Arts, at the Department of Fine Arts is the successful completion of at least 240 ECTS. The minimum period of study is six [6] academic semesters and the maximum period allowed is sixteen [16] academic semesters, according to the university’s regulations.
For admission to the programme, applicants need to have a Master’s degree.
The stages (and corresponding ECTS units) of the doctoral programme are as follows:
A. Taught Part (60 ECTS)
According to university’s general regulations, all doctoral students must attend a mandatory course, focusing on Research Methodology, at postgraduate level. In order to fulfil this requirement, students in the Doctoral Programme in Fine Arts must enroll in the Art Methodology and Historiography course (10 ECTS), which is offered, by the department, within the Master of Arts programme in Art History and Theory. Additionally, doctoral students are required to complete five [5] courses, within the above postgraduate programme, which are offered in the first two semesters of the department’s postgraduate programme.
Any student who has successfully attended equivalent courses as part of his/her previous postgraduate studies, may, if s/he wishes apply for an exemption to the taught requirement, concerning one or more of the above courses. His/her request is submitted, accompanied by a suggestion by the student’s Research Supervisor, to the Departmental Council for approval or rejection. If approved, the student is credited with the equivalent number of ECTS that correspond to the course[s].
Doctoral students are required to take the above courses during the first year of their studies. The successful completion of the Art Methodology and Historiography course is a pre-requirement for the student to be allowed to proceed to the Comprehensive Exam of the programme. In case the student fails twice the Art Methodology and Historiography or any of the other courses s/he is required to complete, the Department Council examines the possibility of terminating his/her participation in the programme
B. Comprehensive Exam (30 ECTS)
The aim of the Comprehensive Exam is to evaluate the basic-general knowledge of the candidate in his/her field of study, but also the more specialised knowledge, regarding his/her particular research topic. The student is allowed to proceed with the Comprehensive Exam, only after s/he has successfully complete the Art Methodology-Historiography course (while, the Exam may be fulfilled in parallel to the completion of the other courses). The fulfilment of the Comprehensive Exam requirement must take place by the end of the fourth semester of study, after the student’s entry into the doctoral programme.
C. Research Application and Research Proposal Submission (60 ECTS)
After the successful completion of the required courses and of the Comprehensive Exam, and (according to university’s general regulations) at least one year before the Viva, the student submits his/her Research Proposal. Each doctoral student must prepare and submit a written proposal (2500-5000 words), in relation to the proposed dissertation or analysis of his/her artistic creation. The proposal consists of a) abstract, no longer than 300 words, and b) the following: 1. research questions, 2. methodology and projected/proposed results, 3. the dissertation’s or artistic work’s contribution, 4. (a) detailed, chapter by chapter, dissertation outline, and summaries of the separate chapters or (b) detailed analysis of artistic creation.
D. Implementation of the Research Proposal-Completion of the Doctoral
Dissertation or Artistic Creation (60 ECTS) & E. Submission and Defence (Viva) of the Dissertation or Artistic Work (30 ECTS)
The Doctoral Candidate conducts his/her research under the guidance of the Research Supervisor, and with the contributions of the other members of the Supervising Committee.
The student is required to submit an Annual Progress Report, after the first year of study. The report, which is an official document in the student’s folder, aims at monitoring closely his/her progress, by the Department Council.
In option a) (Dissertation-only), the scientific contribution of the dissertation is based on the findings of the Doctoral Candidate, which are/should be distinct from the existing bibliography and all other acknowledgement of any contributions by other academic members (of or outside the university). The candidate’s own knowledge, as well as the contribution and impact of the present research on the scientific field, should be foregrounded. As such, effort must be made for the dissemination of the research results, though presentations and (whenever possible) publications.
The Dissertation must be in the range of 80,000 – 100,000 words (including Bibliography and Appendices)
In option b) (Artistic Creation and accompanying, written analysis), the artistic creation must be innovative, original and of such quality and level that it can potentially be included in important international exhibitions, festivals, museum collections etc., and be characterised by strong theoretical/conceptual basis. As such, it should contribute to key artistic issues (derived from both relevant literature and artistic practice). The artistic output may be within the framework of any fine art(s) – painting, sculpture, installations, video, animation, film, digital art etc.
VIVA
The dissertation’s or artistic work’s defence [viva], is conducted according to university’s regulations, and it takes place in front of a three member Examination Committee.
QUALITY ASSURANCE FOR DOCTORAL DISSERTATIONS
With regard to both the submission of the Research Proposal, as well as the Dissertation, the Department applies the Quality Assurance Regulations and Procedures, as included in the relevant Regulations of Postgraduate Study of the University.
Annual Progress Report
Every 12 months, the PhD candidate submits an annual progress report on his/her doctoral dissertation to his/her Advisory Committee, which, if approved, it is forwarded for ratification to the Council of the Department, which through the Academic Affairs and Student Welfare Service, updates the student's register. It is very important that the Supervising Committee is informed on the progress of each PhD student throughout his/her studies. In this way, it will be possible to see whether a student is working systematically and qualitatively, and that the necessary feedback is given to the student. In the event of a student failing to deliver a progress report unjustifiably or the progress report is not approved for two consecutive times by his/her Supervising Committee then the Department Council considers the possibility of terminating the student’s participation in the programme, unless s/he complies.
Research Presentations
The Department or Faculty organises an annual conference of presentations of the research work of its PhD candidates. Candidates participate only after they have successfully completed their Comprehensive Exam. Each PhD candidate should attend the conference at least once during his/her studies. The aim of this event is to contribute to the research culture of the university, and to encourage dialogue and interaction among the university’s members, and especially, as an opportunity for students to receive feedback on their work.
Teaching Assistantship
Each PhD candidate should work as a teaching assistant for at least one module during his/her doctoral studies. Remuneration is at the discretion of the departments.
Authorship and Intellectual Property Policy
