History and theory of arts

The study program in theory and critics of arts is realized within interdisciplinary context with focus on three areas: theory and history of architecture, musicology. Programme‘s doctoral students are encouraged to apply various theoretical models and methodological tools of humanities, social and technological sciences besides the classical methods of the critics of arts using both internal scientific resources of Kaunas University of Technology and those of their international partners. Graduates of various university studies are accepted to the doctoral programme with regard to their scientific experience within the selected topic.

The objective of the work of PhD students is to look at the identified problem or phenomenon from the complex perspective and propose innovative research methodology for discovery of the new knowledge or regularities contributing to the current scientific comprehension of the studied phenomenon.

Topic title	Possible scientific supervisors	Source of funding
Development of the concept of sustainability aesthetics and application for the evaluation of hybrid environments	doc. dr. Indrė GRAŽULEVIČIŪTĖ-VILENIŠKĖ	state-funded	Research Topic Summary. Researchers analyzing the expression of environmental formation activities related to sustainable development note that the phenomenon of sustainable development still lacks its new, recognizable aesthetic language (Di Carlo, 2016). In response to these problems, the trend of so-called sustainability aesthetics emerged, seeking to reflect and embody the ideas of sustainability in the expression of the designed objects and in their relation to the user. The origins of this idea are linked to the direction of ecological art that emerged in the 1960s and 1970s (Kagan, 2011). In recent years, the idea of sustainability aesthetics has received more and more attention from the researchers (Kagan, 2011) and designers, issues of sustainability aesthetics are addressed in product design (Marchand et al., 2006), architecture (Sunikka-Blank, 2011), urban planning (Di Carlo, 2016), landscape architecture (Hemmati, 2016), forestry (Sheppard, 2001), and other areas. The aim of the proposed research is to develop the concept of sustainability aesthetics based on the theory of levels of aesthetic perception of the environment (Dekay, 2012) and apply it to hybrid (mixed) environments (urban forest, urban nature, urban garden, forest office, forest garden, etc.) that emerge as a result of contemporary urban dynamics (urban expansion and shrinkage). The expected result is the evaluation of hybrid environments from the point of view of sustainability aesthetics using the methodology developed in the course of the research and recommendations for their formation.
Modernism Alongside Modernism: Local Forms of Urban Low-Cost Housing Between the World Wars	doc. dr. Vaidas PETRULIS	state-funded	Research Topic Summary. The proposal for the dissertation invites to explore an under-represented area of architectural history – forms of social housing in interwar cities. Different new forms of housing traditionally associates with the grand narrative of modernity. As a result, wooden apartment blocks in interwar Lithuanian cities, or any other local forms of housing elswhere around the globe, usually is being interpreted as a distant reflection of the core ideas. The dissertation invites to explore local forms of accommodation and thus to present the history of modernism not as a hierarchical phenomenon shaped by great masters, but as a non-hierarchical multifaceted process.
Cultural aspects of musical time	prof. dr. Rytis AMBRAZEVIČIUS	state-funded
The role of popular music in the Lithuanian Singing Revolution	prof. dr. Dario MARTINELLI	state-funded	Research Topic Summary. The research should cover the following topics: - The role played by popular music in the Lithuanian Singing Revolution; - The position of the Singing Revolution in the current Lithuanian musical scene and in the musicological research. - At least one case study to choose among the various musicians/groups that were active during the years of the Singing Revolution.
Acoustic and psychoacoustic characteristics of traditional music	prof. dr. Rytis AMBRAZEVIČIUS	state-funded

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Application procedure

Mandatory documents for admission:

Application indicating the science field, the topic and the form of funding (online)
Official legalised Master’s diploma with the diploma supplements or a higher education degree equivalents and academic transcripts (translated into English or Lithuanian and notary verified) and the certificate of recognition if higher education qualification acquired abroad
Curriculum Vitae
Recommendations by two researchers of the relevant science field
A list of the research works with a full bibliographic description and copies thereof; if no research works by the applicant are presented, the applicant is required to present a research paper whose topic is consistent with the dissertation topic indicated in the applicant’s application
A copy of the passport page with personal data, or a copy of the ID card
A copy of the receipt of the application fee payment (40 EUR for EU citizens, and 100 EUR for non-EU citizens)
A certificate issued by IELTS, TOEFL, CERF or any other competent institution within the last 2 years certifying the level of the English language if the candidate is not a graduate of the first or second cycle studies conducted in the English language

Participation in motivational interview (Kaunas University of Technology, Studentų g. 50, Kaunas, Lithuania or online)

Signing a study agreement (if invited to study)

Cycle	Third cycle
Language	Lithuanian, English
Duration	4 y.
Degree awarded	Doctor of Science

History and theory of arts

Research topics

Research Topic Summary.

Research Topic Summary.

Research Topic Summary.

Entry requirements

Minimum requirements

Application procedure

Selection criteria and their weighted coefficients

Study programme modules