Issues in Creative and Cultural Industries

Analytical Approaches to the Global Creative and Cultural Industries is the core module for all students taking the MA Global Creative and Cultural Industries, which introduces a range of theoretical perspectives on the cultural economy and the history of thinking about the relationship between culture, the arts and the market in a global context. 

This core module presents a theoretical overview of approaches to the analysis of art, culture and media in the context of the economy. From late-19th century ideas of what art is for, to anxieties about the emergence of Mass and Popular culture in the the mid-20th century, to approaches to The Culture Industry and The Cultural Industries, to the emergence of the idea of the Creative Industries at the end of the 20th Century, the module asks questions about how art is, or should be, funded, the economic importance of culture and how art and culture has been made, sold and understood in the globalized digital age.

Drawing on a range of theoretical perspectives, from theories of Mass Culture to Cultural Studies, Cultural Sociology and the emergent disciple of Cultural Industries analysis, and case studies from across the world, the module places questions of value, cultural labour and cultural justice in global political context.

Objectives and learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module students will be able to

• Demonstrate a broad knowledge of the creative and cultural industries, both as they operate in the UK, Europe and North America, and as they operate globally. 
• Demonstrate a good understanding of key issues in the creative and cultural industries in the present, and a good understanding of the challenges they face in the immediate future.
• Demonstrate a broad understanding of the specialist elements of the creative and cultural industries (media, music, art, and film), and their intersections.
• Demonstrate an understanding of legal and regulatory systems for the creative and cultural industries.

Workload

• Lectures: 1 hour per week
• Seminars: 1 hour per week

Method of assessment

• 1,000-word essay (worth 30% of marks)
• 2,000-word essay (worth 70%)

Disclaimer

Important notice regarding changes to programmes and modules.