The discipline concerns itself with understanding particular Indian cultures in all their complex forms against the backdrop of the wider social and political contexts. Cultures are read and interpreted not only from written texts but also from myths, performances, art and architecture, costumes and fashion, objects of daily use, photographs and films.

Indian art, architecture, iconography, aesthetics and folk art through the ages down to contemporary times.

Museum Studies is introduced through a two week stay at DakshinaChitra The course includes history of museums in India, the challenges they face and the effects of globalisation, the principles and practices of managing museum collections, cataloguing, record keeping, accessioning, de-accessioning, methods of conservation, museum education, working with volunteers and marketing.

Curation is taught in two segments. The first semester includes a major exercise in curating and implementing an exhibition at DakshinaChitra. Concepts of curation are taught simultaneously. In the third semester theories of art specially targeting curating for contemporary art is offered for students opting to study the visual arts.

Successful management of organizations requires knowledge and application of modern management techniques. Four modules in management are offered.

1. Arts Management – an Introduction - 3 credits
This subject lays the foundation for the study of arts management. It defines the field of arts and the principles and functions of management. Topics covered include developing organisation's vision, mission, strategy and objectives, culture and structure, managing relationships with all stakeholders, building collaborations, emerging business trends in the arts and the impact of globalisation.

2. Arts management - a functional approach - 3 credits
This course addresses the various functional areas of management- operations, human resources management, finance and budgeting. Basic concepts and practices covering all the functional areas are applied to hypothetical projects initiated by the students. Fundraising and proposal writing are also included.

3. Marketing the Arts - 3 credits
This course emphasises marketing strategies in the area of arts management such as environmental and consumer analysis, market research, segmentation, targeting and positioning, developing and delivering marketing strategy in terms of product, price, place and promotions and integrated marketing communications. It highlights the link between corporate strategy and marketing strategy and outlines development of marketing plans. The important functions of attracting and keeping donors and volunteers are also discussed.

4. Arts Entrepreneurship - 2 credits
The field of Arts offers great scope for entrepreneurship and this course is aimed at equipping the potential entrepreneur with necessary knowledge and skills to become successful in his/her endeavour. Topics covered include the basic qualities of entrepreneurship, locating suitable opportunities in the chosen area by analysing the environment, understanding financial and legal requirements, funding the project, managing the launch of the enterprise and creating the necessary organisation to sustain it. Thus it covers all aspects of new enterprise development- from opportunity identification and selection to project implementation and launch. Students will be required to interact with entrepreneurs in different fields of the Arts to understand the underlying spirit and skills of entrepreneurship.

Students are sensitised to the basic elements and principles of design, both two and three dimensional. Two Dimensional Design focuses on helping students to sharpen their computer skills in the field of Graphic Design (Photoshop, Coral Draw, Illustrator, Page maker). In Three Dimensional Design students learn to work hands-on with paper mache, clay and plaster of paris to develop a craft product. Processes involved in the finishing of craft products are also taught.

Western Art beginning with the Ancient Egyptian, Greek and Roman times down to the twentieth century. Included are brief art histories of China, Japan and South East Asia.

A brief history, basic concepts and critical analysis of documentary film making are outlined. Script writing, techniques, sound recording, editing and post production processes are taught. Each student at the end of this module is expected to produce a documentary film of 15 minutes duration.

Students spend a minimum of two weeks documenting a particular performance, festival, craft practice or life style. This is executed as a group activity. Prior to the field study, students are given the course on videography and documentation. The final outcome of the field study is an audio- visual presentation as well as a written report.

The goal of this module is to introduce students to the role of art in an individual’s development. The philosophy, techniques and strategies which could be implemented in schools through visual arts, theatre and performing arts will be introduced.

Archival Science is the study and practice of organizing, preserving, providing access to information and materials in archives. The course includes documentation procedures and traditional and electronic cataloguing methods, digital preservation and long range impact of all types of storage.

In the third semester students specialize, choosing a course either in the visual arts or the performing arts.

The curriculum emphasises group and individual projects. The group project in the first semester addresses team work, timelines, budgets, feasibility analysis, problem framing, sponsorship and finally execution of the project. The individual project in the fourth semester is mandatory for successful completion of the program. The student is assigned a mentor and the time allotted for the project is eight weeks.

A monitored eight week internship in the fourth semester with an arts / cultural organisation. Includes twice weekly management contact classes.