MFC6092 - Contemporary Cultural Issues

Objectives:

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:

1. critically evaluate the political and ethical implications of contemporary cultural issues.
2. demonstrate systematic understanding of and ability to apply and critically evaluate a range of contemporary cultural theories;
3. undertake cultural analysis drawing on contemporary cultural theory and appropriate research methods;
4. research and present an academic essay making critical use of a range of appropriate sources.

Content:

The module explores contemporary cultural issues and examines ways in which they can be understood and engaged with. This involves an examination of: social norms and values; cultural change; media representations; and the politics of culture. Central to the module will be questions regarding power, truth and knowledge.

The following list of topics forms an indicative syllabus: multiculturalism, difference and diversity, nation and nationalism, globalisation, postmodernity and postmodernism, the politics of history, the politics of representation, surveillance, discourse, reality, knowledge, identity, postcolonialism, racism and sexuality. Examples of cultural texts and practices suitable for analysis are Facebook, film, newspaper articles, political speeches, styles of dress, leisure activities and public ritual.

Learning and Teaching Information:

The scheme assumes recruitment of 20

Lectures
Contact Hours: 16
Number of Groups: 1

Seminars Contact Hours: 16
Number of Groups: 1

Tutorials
Contact Hours: 1
Number of Groups: Individual

Assessment: