Do you believe that arts and culture deserve a prominent place in the school? And are you willing to contribute your part to develop a learning environment in which children feel challenged to learn about, with, and through art, then Arts and Culture is the minor for you!

The Minor Arts & Culture develop teacher training students, exchange students and students of international teacher training (ITEps) into future teachers with a specialization in arts subjects. They not only know why these subjects are important for children's development, they can also give practical meaning to lessons and activities that fit within continuous learning. Students develop both their knowledge and skills as well as their pedagogical skills.

Minor content

The minor subjects has four pillars: a) thematic work, b) arts disciplines (visual arts, drama, dance and music), c) art pedagogy, d) projects. Students are also able to make their own choices in addition to mandatory components. An example of this is 'Professional Skills' (part of 'arts education'), where students hone their skills in a chosen direction (e.g. song accompaniment, various visual techniques, ...). This not only do there is scope for exchange and sharing of good practices. The students form a close-knit group that would lead to a grand art project that is part of the completion of the minor.

 

Structure of the minor

• Thematic Work = 5 EC
• Arts disciplines = 10 EC
• Arts Education = 5 EC
• Projects = 10 EC

Students get to know the A&C competencies, which mean that they start with their own development (skills and knowledge in the various disciplines, art history and theory). From this starting point they develop the competencies required to teach the disciplines in a responsible way in the (international) primary schools. In Arts Education the focus is on the child: why is it so important to teach the arts, what does it mean for the general development of the children? And as soon as we have a clear(er) idea about that: what and how are we going to realize this? We learn how to incorporate this in the curricula used in international schools. Various Projects in the programme offer many possibilities to deepen this learning.

Admission requirements

Students from the ITEps (International Teacher Education Primary Schools) course, students from ‘regular’ Dutch teacher training colleges (Pabo), exchange students who study at a national teacher training institute. Students develop skills and knowledge in order to be able to teach the arts as a generalist and/or as a subject teacher in international schools (or national schools in various countries). We consider the arts and the ability to teach these disciplines as an indispensable part of being a ‘good teacher’, students will broaden and deepen their talents in that perspective.

This minor is offered by International Teacher Education for Primary Schools (ITEps).

Examination

The minor is finished by the Final Assessment, an oral exam which consists of a public part (presentation for peer students) and an interview with two art teachers. The students collect all their work in their portfolios, the portfolio is the base for this assessment. During the minor various presentations take place, including performances, exhibitions and a large project in which students collaborate with the local Centre for the Arts: they design and execute a programme with many workshops for approx. 700 (!) children of all primary schools in Meppel.