School of Critical Studies

Beginning with the 2017-18 term, the MA Aesthetics and Politics evolves into a one-year full-time plus one-year low-residency degree program that engages students in an intensive critique of the relations between culture, politics and society in today’s demanding global context. Taught in the unique arts centered environment of CalArts, the Program offers a series of rich and dynamic core courses that span globalization, technology and media, politics and the arts, socio-economics and urbanism. 

Concentrated elective options delivered by a dynamic faculty and supplemented by a diversity of visiting specialists as well as public conferences enable students to work intimately with leaders in their field. Over two years, students work towards an independent thesis that marks the culmination of their degree and are provided a mentor to support the development of their work. The MA Program equips students with a unique combination of creative and analytical skills that enable them to enter their professional milieu with confidence and the ability to participate in practical, cultural and theoretical fields of work.

The new MA Aesthetics and Politics Program develops and enhances the original program established in 2007, adding an additional low-residency year. This new Program is more flexible and substantial enabling students to focus with more time and depth on their studies, to take advantage of the creative environment of CalArts, to have access to a larger and more diverse cross section of theorists and artists, and to opt to study while working in their second year.