MA Critical and Cultural Theory

Year 1

(Award available for year: Master of Arts)

Learning outcomes

On completion of the programme students should have shown evidence of being able to:

- in-depth knowledge of the theories and histories informing the emergence and development of cultural studies as a discipline;
- ability to evaluate critically the concepts, values and debates informing the techniques of cultural theory and history;
- ability to use visual- and/or aural-conceptual skills to describe, analyse and reflect on the interpretation of cultural artefacts, objects, events, processes or situations;
- awareness of the meta-cognitive reflections on the discipline of cultural studies, its limitations and its engagements with other disciplinary models and discourses;
- ability to formulate and structure cogent arguments, analyses and reasoned hypotheses based on appropriate evidence (visual, textual, or other);
- ability to develop and advance a sustained, independent project of cultural theoretical or historical research.

Transferable (key) skills

Masters (Taught), Postgraduate Diploma & Postgraduate Certificate students will have had the opportunity to acquire the following abilities as defined in the modules specified for the programme:

- the skills necessary to undertake a higher research degree and/or for employment in a higher capacity in industry or area of professional practice;
- evaluating their own achievement and that of others;
- self direction and effective decision making in complex and unpredictable situations;
- independent learning and the ability to work in a way which ensures continuing professional development;
- critical engagement in the development of professional/disciplinary boundaries and norms.

Assessment

Achievement for the degree of Master (taught programme) will be assessed by a variety of methods in accordance with the learning outcomes of the modules specified for the year/programme and will involve the achievement of the students in:

- evidencing an ability to conduct independent in-depth enquiry within the discipline;
- demonstrating the ability to apply breadth and/or depth of knowledge to a complex specialist area;
- drawing on a range of perspectives on an area of study;
- evaluating and criticising received opinion;
- make reasoned judgements whilst understanding the limitations on judgements made in the absence of complete data.