Université de Caen Normandie

Presentation

The Université de Caen Normandie is a public multidisciplinary university, one of the oldest in France (founded in the 15th century). Destroyed by the bombings of 1944, its main campus was rebuilt after the war: the Phénix that adorns its entrance has become the emblem of the institution.

The arts at Caen

Artistic programs fall under the Lettres, langues et sciences humaines division. The licence Arts du spectacle covers theatre and film-audiovisual studies there: history and aesthetics of stage and film forms, analysis of works, dramaturgy, an introduction to practice (acting, staging, writing, directing depending on the track). The approach is primarily academic: theoretical culture, research methodology, work on archives and texts, rather than a professionalizing curriculum of the conservatoire or art school type.

Strengths

• A structured research environment in the humanities (laboratories and maison de la recherche) allowing students to continue on to a master's and then a doctorate.
• Connections with the cultural ecosystem of Caen and Normandy: theatre stages, art-house cinemas, festivals, heritage institutions.
• Career paths oriented toward cultural mediation and administration, teaching, criticism, production, or continuing studies at specialized schools.

Note: teaching of visual arts and design at the higher art school level is provided in Caen by a separate institution, the ésam Caen/Cherbourg.