Course content
Critical thinking is a skill that cannot be taught and learnt in a top-down manner. Therefore, you work on equal footing with your fellow students and lecturers in four core subject areas – “Aesthetics, Art Philosophy, Cultural Studies”, “Arts and Politics”, “Media Thoughts/Digitality” and “Philosophy” – which are offered by lecturers from a variety of departments at ZHdK. A shared foundation is laid in introductory academic methodology seminars. You explore texts, media and art works, and research their historical position, theoretical development, and critical significance for the present. You formulate your own thoughts, follow them and confront them with a range of ideas, methods and materials. Moreover, you explore the effect of theories on your artistic work in your own texts. This critical exploration gives you the skills to independently develop and position your own artistic work. 

Skills acquired in the course.
–  Improve your understanding of historical and current social contexts and use this knowledge to reflect on your own work
–  Reflect on and contextualize your artistic or design practice
–  Learn how to work at interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary interfaces, react flexibly to complex issues and problems and make them work for you

Admissions requirements.
The “Critical Thinking” minor is suitable for all students of ZHdK.

Language skills required.
You need the following languages to take this minor:
–  German and English: to be able to follow a discussion
–  German or English: to actively participate in a verbal exchange
–  German and English: to understand a text
–  German or English: to write a text

Benefits of studying this minor.
The “Critical Thinking” minor is an open, plural programme in which different courses from all over ZHdK are linked in the field of theory. This enables you to set your own core subjects and discover new perspectives on thought and behaviour. All students are offered personalized advice in the form of mentoring sessions so they can find their own clear framework to follow. 

Time structure.
The minor takes place as a full-day course in the minor weeks in week 2 to 4 and week 8 to 10 and continues on Friday afternoons during the semester.

→ Semester dates ZHdK
→ More information about this minor (PDF download)

At ZHdK, students choose a Major. In addition to this core subject, they can choose one or two Minors to deepen or expand their major skills and knowledge across various disciplines. This wide choice of courses is unique in Europe and enables students to develop and sharpen their individual profile.