Cross-Disciplinary Strategies. Applied Studies in Art, Science, Philosophy, and Global Challenges

Interim Head of Department: Univ.-Prof. Mag. phil. Eva Maria Stadler

Cross-Disciplinary Strategies (CDS) takes up key issues in education and the arts, as well as the challenge of participating in and helping to shape society in the early 21st century. Established in 2017 at the Institute for Art and Society, the English language programme offers Bachelor's and Master's education.
 
The programme aims to prepare graduates for an independent role in mediating or translating between global interest groups with different specialist backgrounds. Artistic strategies equip them to intervene in a wide range of contexts, not only artistic settings. Using practical, artistic and theoretical learning models, connections between knowledge, experience and politics are worked out and developed, in order to meet the complex social challenges of the present day. Epistemology, methodology and the history of science comprise the foundation to which the specific issues of art, natural sciences, humanities, social sciences, economic history, and current social and political developments are related. In this process, artistic strategies and approaches to art are our common disciplinary language. We aim to achieve an independent cross-disciplinary practice in tackling urgent global issues such as migration, digitalisation, work, growth, the environment and nutrition.
 
In its introductory year, the CDS Bachelor covers the principles of programming, statistics, academic work in the form of research and text production, as well as the principles of human rights, the structure of international organisations, artistic practices and current discourses in social sciences and humanities.
In subsequent years of the programme, the curriculum is structured into the study areas science and technology, economics and politics, and artistic strategies on annual topics that deal with global challenges. Students apply the content theoretically and practically in cross-disciplinary annual projects. 
 
The CDS master’s programme is designed as a complementary course for graduates of all disciplines, giving the opportunity to go into topics in more depth. It is project-oriented, strongly practice-based and offers the individual student the opportunity to shape their course of study. In particular, the programme promotes work on transdisciplinary projects on sustainable social change and a cross-disciplinary approach to digital technologies and the resulting transformation processes. Students learn to locate their topic issues in a wider social context and in addition, to communicate them using different methods and artistic strategies, and to apply them in cross-disciplinary participative projects. For these projects, the programme promotes and supports dialogue and collaboration with actors in the fields of civil society, art, academia, politics, and the economy. 
 
In the winter semester of 2021, CDS has established a studio in the former Postsparkasse building. The CDS Studio is a protected space for experimentation and critical cross-generational theoretical and practical exchange. Students are encouraged and supported by faculty and visiting coaches from a variety of disciplines in developing independent, cross-disciplinary practice, whether individually or in teams, through the use of various media and forms of expression. In addition, CDS Studio works in close overlap with other departments and workshops of Angewandte.
 
CDS has built a growing network of Erasmus partner universities. Visiting students from other international universities are welcome. Their fresh and critical view gives us a new perspective on our work.
Contact

Location
1st floor
Georg‐Coch‐Platz 2
A-1010 Wien
Office hours
Mon – Wed :  8:30 am to 12:30 pm and 1.30 to 5 pm
Thu, Fri: upon request
Location
Cross-Disciplinary Strategies    
Expositur Postsparkasse – PSK
Georg-Coch-Platz 2, 1st floor, room 145
1010 Vienna, Austria
 
Admission Examination
The BA and MA admission interviews at the end of February and beginning of March will take place in Vienna in face-to-face meetings. Candidates who cannot travel due to international travel restrictions can hold their interview digitally. Details will be clarified by the CDS office when inviting to the interviews.

Master (download as PDF)

Bachelor (download as PDF)