BA 2        
code subject name ECTS   type of class type of examination lecturer additional info
      THE DEPARTMENT'S SPECIALTY SUBJECTS        
      Specialty subjects in the student's chosen subfield. These subjects account for a significant part of the total semester or study year programme percentage.        
MākZ2207 Composition 9 One semester is devoted to the acquisition of a general ceramic decoration method — painting. This includes studying various cultures, traditions, and technical devices and using them in one’s work.  Lecture, individual work, group work Assessment show Līga Skariņa Students should buy all the necessary ceramic materials and use their own working tools.
MākZ3597 Ceramics Technology 3 Reduction effect on ceramic shavings and glazes. Saggar firing techniques. Black terra sigillata. Refractory slip technique. Black ceramic kiln. Lecture, practical work Assessment show Dainis Lesiņš Basic skills in the work with ceramic and raw materials are required.
      GENERAL ART SUBJECTS        
      Students of all disciplines take general art subjects to gain skills and understanding of academic drawing, painting, and sculpture. Study assignments are designed to provide students with an opportunity to learn about proportions, scale, and relationships between light and dark, and creatively interpret the given setting and assignment at the same time.
      The department teaching the subject assesses the students' skill level and individually adjusts the assignments.
MākZ2203 Painting 3 The aim of the course is to master the means of still life painting expression, combined with individual and professional interests (connected with the department's educational programmes), blurring imaginary boundaries. During the course, students paint settings from nature; the lecturer may assign a creative task (unrelated to the setting) to be carried out individually. Practical work Assessment show    
MākZ2050 Drawing 3 Standing nude figure. Composition. Understanding the proportions of the figure. Dimensional drawing. Pencil, A2 paper. Practical and individual work Assessment show    
MākZ2050 Sketching There are no separate credits for sketching; students are marked for the Drawing course Sketching the human figure for 5, 10, 15 minutes.
Objective: the act of drawing using various materials (charcoal pencil, pencil, felt-tip pen, sepia, acrylic, ink, etc.), developing visual perception, transferring it to the sketch.
Results to be achieved: a developed ability to understand proportion and to create individual handwriting in drawing using a variety of materials, taking a step back from the classical academic drawing.		 Individual work Assessment show An individual class without a lecturer  
MākZ3575 Modeling 4,5 The aim of the course: 1. To acquire and develop professional skills in the field of human figure modeling. 2. To promote the students' visual-plastic thinking and ability to perceive form, proportions, movement, mass and volume relationships. 3. To develop the ability to perceive sculpture as a visually plastic entity. The ability to achieve stylistic unity; to respect and be aware of the relationships between structure and texture. Practical work Assessment show   Olga Šilova Experience in plastic anthropomorphic modeling from soft materials (clay, plasticin) and the ability to make a metal or wooden frame is required. 
      HUMANITIES SUBJECTS        
      As theoretical lectures are delivered to the students of the Art Academy of Latvia in Latvian, some theoretical subjects in English are offered separately to the visiting students.        
MākZ1687 Art History of Latvia 6 The course is taught to Erasmus+ students, and its purpose is to give an insight into and a general idea of the development of Latvian art history in a cultural and historical context. Alongside art history, the course provides basic knowledge of Latvian history, ethnography, and architectural history. The lecture course chronologically covers the period from prehistory to the 20th century. Visits to exhibitions and museums are organized as part of the course to broaden and improve students' knowledge and to promote connection with contemporary cultural progress. Lecture, visits to exhibitions and cultural sites Written course paper Ieva Rosne Special subject for Erasmus+ students.
MākZ1686 Theory of Contemporary Art  3 The academic course deals with all the significant events in recent art history, starting from the international conceptual tendencies in the 60s, like land art, minimalism, Art Povera, Nouveaux Réalisme, Fluxus, and others, the postmodern narratives in the 80s and the 90s. The final part will be dedicated to the actual debates in the global contemporary art scene. Each lecture will be accompanied by rich visual materials, including films originating from museums. After finishing the course, the students will be able to recognize the most prominent personalities and their most iconic artworks. Lecture, visits to exhibitions and cultural sites Presentation Raimonds Kalējs Special subject for Erasmus+ students.
MākZ1677 Anatomy 1,5 Digitalized and interactive anatomy for art and design students to improve their drawing, painting, and sketching skills in anatomy. Based on Anatomy Next — anatomy learning tools for students and teachers. Anatomy Next is a very successful, world-known educational technology start-up to help students learn anatomy faster and more efficiently. Lecture Test Uldis Zariņš Special subject for Erasmus+ students.
MākZ1376 Art Pedagogy in a Cultural Environment 3 The course prepares students to conduct practical visual arts lectures in art exhibitions or a broader cultural environment. Such an experience is useful in any art communication process. Graduates will gain hands-on experience in discussing art with people of all ages, conducting informal art classes, and evaluating the learning process. Practical work, seminar or discussion Presentation Ilze Vītola Special subject for Erasmus+ students.
      ELECTIVE SUBJECTS OFFERED TO ERASMUS+ VISITING STUDENTS        
      Elective subjects for Erasmus+ visiting students offered by different departments in different specialties. The list of available elective subjects will be published shortly before the start of the semester with online registration. The number of elective subjects depends on the number of remaining ECTS required for the student after the student's basic curriculum of the department's specialty subjects, general art subjects, and humanities subjects has been approved by the department.        
      BA 3        
code subject name ECTS   type of class type of examination lecturer additional info
      THE DEPARTMENT'S SPECIALTY SUBJECTS        
      Specialty subjects in the student's chosen subfield. These subjects account for a significant part of the total semester or study year programme percentage.        
MākZ3199 Composition 9 "The Unique Set" — students create a unique set of utensils to use or a conceptual art object that reveals the meaning of the concept of uniqueness. The task involves the creative application of all known ceramic materials and their processing techniques, as well as the possibility to combine ceramic material with other materials and visual media.
"The Gift" — students create a unique art object — gift — using ceramic materials. The goal of the composition task is to become aware of the new context of objects created in ceramic material in a contemporary environment. The inspiration behind the design of the gift is the contrast between ceramic material and modern technology.		 Lecture, practical work Assessment show Dainis Pundurs Students should buy all the necessary ceramic materials and use their own working tools.
MākZ3597 Ceramics Technology 3 Glazes made from natural ingredients. Triangle and row sample tests. Lecture, practical work Assessment show Dainis Lesiņš Basic skills in the work with ceramic and raw materials are required.
      GENERAL ART SUBJECTS        
      Students of all disciplines take general art subjects to gain skills and understanding of academic drawing, painting, and sculpture. Study assignments are designed to provide students with an opportunity to learn about proportions, scale, and relationships between light and dark, and creatively interpret the given setting and assignment at the same time.
Student must choose two of the subjects listed below. 		       The department teaching the subject assesses the students' skill level and individually adjusts the assignments.
MākZ2029 Painting 3 The aim of the course is to develop the painting skills by mastering painting of human face and hands by painting portraits and semi-figures from nature. The course focuses on learning the basic structure of the human body and tonal relationships. Practical work Assessment show    
MākZ3274 Drawing 3 Large-format drawings. Same task as for painters, sculptors and graphic artists.  Practical and individual work Assessment show    
  Sketching There are no separate credits for sketching; students are marked for the Drawing course Sketching the human figure for 5, 10, 15 minutes.
Objective: the act of drawing using various materials (charcoal pencil, pencil, felt-tip pen, sepia, acrylic, ink, etc.), developing visual perception, transferring it to the sketch.
Results to be achieved: a developed ability to understand proportion and to create individual handwriting in drawing using a variety of materials, taking a step back from the classical academic drawing.		 Individual work Assessment show An individual class without a lecturer  
MākZ3207 Modeling 3 1. Creation of a simple model of the human figure. The aim is to acquaint students with the principles of modeling the human figure and the most important points of its construction, as well as the construction of the largest details and their formation from geometric forms. 2. Creation of an expressive model of the human figure in motion. The aim is to introduce students to the formation of the human figure. The focus is on the characteristics of the human figure, emphasizing the application of geometric shapes in the formation of the human figure. Practical work Assessment show Valtis Barkāns  
      HUMANITIES SUBJECTS        
      As theoretical lectures are delivered to the students of the Art Academy of Latvia in Latvian, some theoretical subjects in English are offered separately to the visiting students.        
MākZ1687 Art History of Latvia 6 The course is taught to Erasmus+ students, and its purpose is to give an insight into and a general idea of the development of Latvian art history in a cultural and historical context. Alongside art history, the course provides basic knowledge of Latvian history, ethnography, and architectural history. The lecture course chronologically covers the period from prehistory to the 20th century. Visits to exhibitions and museums are organized as part of the course to broaden and improve students' knowledge and to promote connection with contemporary cultural progress. Lecture, visits to exhibitions and cultural sites Written course paper Ieva Rosne Special subject for Erasmus+ students.
MākZ1686 Theory of Contemporary Art  3 The academic course deals with all the significant events in recent art history, starting from the international conceptual tendencies in the 60s, like land art, minimalism, Art Povera, Nouveaux Réalisme, Fluxus, and others, the postmodern narratives in the 80s and the 90s. The final part will be dedicated to the actual debates in the global contemporary art scene. Each lecture will be accompanied by rich visual materials, including films originating from museums. After finishing the course, the students will be able to recognize the most prominent personalities and their most iconic artworks. Lecture, visits to exhibitions and cultural sites Presentation Raimonds Kalējs Special subject for Erasmus+ students.
MākZ1677 Anatomy 1,5 Digitalized and interactive anatomy for art and design students to improve their drawing, painting, and sketching skills in anatomy. Based on Anatomy Next — anatomy learning tools for students and teachers. Anatomy Next is a very successful, world-known educational technology start-up to help students learn anatomy faster and more efficiently. Lecture Test Uldis Zariņš Special subject for Erasmus+ students.
MākZ1376 Art Pedagogy in a Cultural Environment 3 The course prepares students to conduct practical visual arts lectures in art exhibitions or a broader cultural environment. Such an experience is useful in any art communication process. Graduates will gain hands-on experience in discussing art with people of all ages, conducting informal art classes, and evaluating the learning process. Practical work, seminar or discussion Presentation Ilze Vītola Special subject for Erasmus+ students.
      ELECTIVE SUBJECTS OFFERED TO ERASMUS+ VISITING STUDENTS        
      Elective subjects for Erasmus+ visiting students offered by different departments in different specialties. The list of available elective subjects will be published shortly before the start of the semester with online registration. The number of elective subjects depends on the number of remaining ECTS required for the student after the student's basic curriculum of the department's specialty subjects, general art subjects, and humanities subjects has been approved by the department.        
      BA 4        
code subject name ECTS   type of class type of examination lecturer additional info
      THE DEPARTMENT'S SPECIALTY SUBJECTS        
      Specialty subjects in the student's chosen subfield. These subjects account for a significant part of the total semester or study year programme percentage.        
MākZ4141 Composition  9 Students develop a creative design of porcelain tableware using mass-production methods of porcelain industrial items. Plaster models and forms (molds). Slip casting. Underglaze decoration. Lecture, practical work Assessment show Jevgeņija Loginova In the studio students can use plaster wheel and chisels for shaping plaster. Students should buy plaster, porcelain and use their own working tools.
MākZ7336 Ceramic Technology 3 Crystalline glazes. Fine crystalline aventurine and chrome glazes. Large crystalline glazes. Glaze compositions and firing modes. Lecture, practical work Assessment show Dainis Lesiņš Basic skills in the work with ceramic and raw materials are required.
      GENERAL ART SUBJECTS        
      Students of all disciplines take general art subjects to gain skills and understanding of academic drawing, painting, and sculpture. Study assignments are designed to provide students with an opportunity to learn about proportions, scale, and relationships between light and dark, and creatively interpret the given setting and assignment at the same time.
Student must choose two of the subjects listed below.
       The department teaching the subject assesses the students' skill level and individually adjusts the assignments.
MākZ3021 Painting 3 The aim of the course is to develop painting skills at the next level of complexity by painting a portrait, as well as a nude figure from nature. The objective is to focus on the study of the relationship between the figure and space; the lecturer may assign a creative task (unrelated to the model) to be carried out individually. In the framework of the course, students also learn about the world’s current trends in painting. Practical work Assessment show    
MākZ4218 Drawing 3 Large-format drawings. Same task as for painters, sculptors and graphic artists. Practical and individual work Assessment show    
  Sketching There are no separate credits for sketching; students are marked for the Drawing course Sketching the human figure for 5, 10, 15 minutes.
Objective: the act of drawing using various materials (charcoal pencil, pencil, felt-tip pen, sepia, acrylic, ink, etc.), developing visual perception, transferring it to the sketch.
Results to be achieved: a developed ability to understand proportion and to create individual handwriting in drawing using a variety of materials, taking a step back from the classical academic drawing.		 Individual work Assessment show An individual class without a lecturer  
MākZ4149 Modeling  3 1. A more complex representation of the human figure in a specific style. The aim is to introduce students to the many existing artwork styles and explore them in detail by creating their own composition and choosing the most appropriate solution to reflect their ideas. 2. Creating the human figure using hangings (clothing). The aim is to model a human figure using hangings, accentuating the main features; to know the principles of geometrical construction of hangings composition; movement in human composition and hangings. Practical work Assessment show Valtis Barkāns  
      HUMANITIES SUBJECTS        
      As theoretical lectures are delivered to the students of the Art Academy of Latvia in Latvian, some theoretical subjects in English are offered separately to the visiting students.        
MākZ1687 Art History of Latvia 6 The course is taught to Erasmus+ students, and its purpose is to give an insight into and a general idea of the development of Latvian art history in a cultural and historical context. Alongside art history, the course provides basic knowledge of Latvian history, ethnography, and architectural history. The lecture course chronologically covers the period from prehistory to the 20th century. Visits to exhibitions and museums are organized as part of the course to broaden and improve students' knowledge and to promote connection with contemporary cultural progress. Lecture, visits to exhibitions and cultural sites Written course paper Ieva Rosne Special subject for Erasmus+ students.
MākZ1686 Theory of Contemporary Art  3 The academic course deals with all the significant events in recent art history, starting from the international conceptual tendencies in the 60s, like land art, minimalism, Art Povera, Nouveaux Réalisme, Fluxus, and others, the postmodern narratives in the 80s and the 90s. The final part will be dedicated to the actual debates in the global contemporary art scene. Each lecture will be accompanied by rich visual materials, including films originating from museums. After finishing the course, the students will be able to recognize the most prominent personalities and their most iconic artworks. Lecture, visits to exhibitions and cultural sites Presentation Raimonds Kalējs Special subject for Erasmus+ students.
MākZ1677 Anatomy 1,5 Digitalized and interactive anatomy for art and design students to improve their drawing, painting, and sketching skills in anatomy. Based on Anatomy Next — anatomy learning tools for students and teachers. Anatomy Next is a very successful, world-known educational technology start-up to help students learn anatomy faster and more efficiently. Lecture Test Uldis Zariņš Special subject for Erasmus+ students.
MākZ1376 Art Pedagogy in a Cultural Environment 3 The study course "Art Pedagogy in a Cultural Environment" prepares students to conduct practical visual arts lectures in art exhibitions or a broader cultural environment. Such an experience is useful in any art communication process. Graduates will gain hands-on experience in discussing art with people of all ages, conducting informal art classes, and evaluating the learning process. Practical work, seminar or discussion Presentation Ilze Vītola Special subject for Erasmus+ students.
      ELECTIVE SUBJECTS OFFERED TO ERASMUS+ VISITING STUDENTS        
      Elective subjects for Erasmus+ visiting students offered by different departments in different specialties. The list of available elective subjects will be published shortly before the start of the semester with online registration. The number of elective subjects depends on the number of remaining ECTS required for the student after the student's basic curriculum of the department's specialty subjects, general art subjects, and humanities subjects has been approved by the department.        
      MA 1        
code subject name ECTS   type of class type of examination lecturer additional info
      THE DEPARTMENT'S SPECIALTY SUBJECTS        
      Specialty subjects in the student's chosen subfield. These subjects account for a significant part of the total semester or study year programme percentage.        
MākZ6308 Composition 1 6 "Ceramics in the Environment"
The goal of the exercise is to master the synthesis of ceramics and architecture. Students are given the opportunity to learn how to design ceramic objects and their involvement in the architectural environment. As part of the course, each student creates a composition project that includes:
- an environmental object or fragment thereof made of ceramic material;
- object (visualization) with its location in the environment;
- scale model of the ceramic object and the environment.		   Assessment show Dainis Pundurs Students should buy all the necessary ceramic materials and use their own working tools.
MākZ6310 Composition 2 6 Group exhibition in the framework of the course. Idea. Concept. Work creation. Management. Lecture, practical work Assessment show Jevgeņija Loginova Students should buy all the necessary ceramic materials and use their own working tools.
MākZ6060 Ceramics Technology 3 Saggar firing. Soda firing in the boura box kiln. Lecture, practical work Assessment show Dainis Lesiņš Basic skills in the work with ceramic and raw materials are required.
      THE DEPARTMENT'S ELECTIVE SUBJECTS        
      Specialty subjects that can be taken in addition to the basic study programme.        
MākZ6317 Porcelain Painting 3 Students apply their knowledge of composition practically for porcelain decoration. Porcelain painting traditions, techniques. Student assignment— painting on a ready-made porcelain surface. Lecture, practical work Assessment show Jevgeņija Loginova Minimal set of basic porcelain painting colors are provided during the course. Students should buy porcelain plates (or other tableware) — 3 pieces, and use own working tools (brushes, palette knife (spatula) etc.).
MākZ6548 Specialty Studies 3 The goal of the program is to gain professional experience by participating in the international ceramic symposium organized by the Ceramics department. During the symposium, distinct ceramic technologies and wood burning in ceramic stoves outside Riga will be tested. Lecture, group work Assessment show Jevgeņija Loginova  
MākZ6878 3D Modeling 3 Working with 3D computer software Autodesk Maya. Exploring the interface and the tools, experimenting with options. Creating 3D models. Preparing them for digital printing with a 3D printer that uses ceramic mass. Lecture, practical work Assessment show Gita Straustiņa  
      GENERAL ART SUBJECTS        
      Students of all disciplines take general art subjects to gain skills and understanding of academic drawing, painting, and sculpture. Study assignments are designed to provide students with an opportunity to learn about proportions, scale, and relationships between light and dark, and creatively interpret the given setting and assignment at the same time. If a department does not offer any of the general art subjects (drawing, painting, design), it is possible to take it by joining another department or course.
       The department teaching the subject assesses the students' skill level and individually adjusts the assignments.
  Drawing 3 Large-format drawings. Same task as for painters, sculptors and graphic artists. Practical and individual work Assessment show   Elective subject
  Sketching There are no separate credits for sketching; students are marked for the Drawing course Sketching the human figure for 5, 10, 15 minutes.
Objective: the act of drawing using various materials (charcoal pencil, pencil, felt-tip pen, sepia, acrylic, ink, etc.), developing visual perception, transferring it to the sketch.
Results to be achieved: a developed ability to understand proportion and to create individual handwriting in drawing using a variety of materials, taking a step back from the classical academic drawing.		 Individual work Assessment show An individual class without a lecturer. Elective subject
      HUMANITIES SUBJECTS        
      As theoretical lectures are delivered to the students of the Art Academy of Latvia in Latvian, some theoretical subjects in English are offered separately to the visiting students.        
MākZ1687 Art History of Latvia 6 The course is taught to Erasmus+ students, and its purpose is to give an insight into and a general idea of the development of Latvian art history in a cultural and historical context. Alongside art history, the course provides basic knowledge of Latvian history, ethnography, and architectural history. The lecture course chronologically covers the period from prehistory to the 20th century. Visits to exhibitions and museums are organized as part of the course to broaden and improve students' knowledge and to promote connection with contemporary cultural progress. Lecture, visits to exhibitions and cultural sites Written course paper Ieva Rosne Special subject for Erasmus+ students.
MākZ1686 Theory of Contemporary Art  3 The academic course deals with all the significant events in recent art history, starting from the international conceptual tendencies in the 60s, like land art, minimalism, Art Povera, Nouveaux Réalisme, Fluxus, and others, the postmodern narratives in the 80s and the 90s. The final part will be dedicated to the actual debates in the global contemporary art scene. Each lecture will be accompanied by rich visual materials, including films originating from museums. After finishing the course, the students will be able to recognize the most prominent personalities and their most iconic artworks. Lecture, discussion Presentation Raimonds Kalējs Special subject for Erasmus+ students.
MākZ1677 Anatomy 1,5 Digitalized and interactive anatomy for art and design students to improve their drawing, painting, and sketching skills in anatomy. Based on Anatomy Next — anatomy learning tools for students and teachers. Anatomy Next is a very successful, world-known educational technology start-up to help students learn anatomy faster and more efficiently. Lecture Test Uldis Zariņš Special subject for Erasmus+ students.
MākZ6753 Critical Design 3 The course provides a general insight into design progress, starting from the '90s, introduces major developments in design thinking and approach, and provides an in-depth look at the "Critical Design" trend that emerged during this period. Throughout the course, students are introduced to the concept of critical design, its goals and techniques, and discuss the specifics of design as an information medium. The course covers the theoretical foundations of critical design and illustrates it by numerous examples. It also deals with the problems of design terminology and the point of contact between design and conceptual art. This course aims to encourage designers and artists to think critically and to offer new tools for their artistic and design practices. Lecture Test Liene Jākobsone Special subject for Erasmus+ students.
MākZ6271 Art in Public Space 3 The course aims to introduce the diverse manifestations of contemporary art in the public domain, exploring it in depth. The main goal of the course is to broaden the academic horizon by presenting and analyzing contemporary art events and highlighting their interdisciplinary nature, socio-political critical information, and exploration of alternative forms (lasting monuments, temporary art installations, art festivals, biennials, various interventions in a public contemporary art environment, value criteria in the contemporary art environment, etc.). The objective of the course is not only to inform and describe but to develop students' critical thinking, ability to think independently, analyze and evaluate contemporary art events in public space both in Latvia and worldwide. The course looks at the major artistic activities of the late 20th and 21st centuries in the public domain. Lectures present a wealth of visuals, as well as publicly available professional video materials (tate.org.uk, channel.louisiana.dk, royalacademy.org, moma.org, etc.), and DVD movie fragments. Lecture Test Inese Baranovska If the course is attended by Erasmus+ students, it is taught bilingually (in Latvian and English).
MākZ6819 Art and Culture in the Second Half of the 20th Century: Minimal and Conceptual Art 3 The course aims to give an insight into the minimalist and conceptualist artistic trends, their main representatives, and their typical work-creating strategies in a broader context of the second half of the 20th-century art, philosophy, politics, and ideology. The course will focus not only on visual arts, but also briefly on the direction of minimalism in music, literature, and architecture, as well as on the link between the emergence of conceptualism and the Fluxus movement and the musical avant-garde, focusing on the 60s and 70s, exploring the influence of the avant-garde art of the period on the different art world situations of the 80s and 90s and making comparisons with current events in Latvian and world art in the 21st century. Lecture, seminar or discussion Presentation Jānis Taurens If the course is attended by Erasmus+ students, it is taught bilingually (in Latvian and English).
      ELECTIVE SUBJECTS OFFERED TO ERASMUS+ VISITING STUDENTS        
      Elective subjects for Erasmus+ visiting students offered by different departments in different specialties. The list of available elective subjects will be published shortly before the start of the semester with online registration. The number of elective subjects depends on the number of remaining ECTS required for the student after the student's basic curriculum of the department's specialty subjects, general art subjects, and humanities subjects has been approved by the department.