Cultural Studies (Taught)

As a Cultural Studies MA student, you will explore an exciting range of themes that build on your existing cultural knowledge, experiences and background. These themes span a broad range, from sustainability rituals, to black identity politics, to the future of AI and geopolitical propaganda. We are committed to interrogating established frameworks of knowledge through our attempts to understand cultural sites, artefacts, values and practices and their representations. We also offer the chance to gain hands-on experience with the recovery and, digital transcription and editing of historical cultural texts such as magazines.

You will undertake a special study of evolving cultural forms, including fashion, food, music and (digital) futures, analysing the way in which values emerge and artefacts and change in response to social and cultural pressures. We are specifically interested in representations of power and resistance as well as cultures of crisis, including climate, existential, financial and political. Students will be encouraged to develop new specialist interests and research skills in the context of inter- and multi-disciplinary Cultural Studies which will culminate in an independent dissertation. Your dissertation will allow you to specialise in a subject of your own choosing, and work with individual guidance from an academic expert to produce a piece of ambitious cultural research.

Key features

• Specialise in your chosen subject within the inter- and multidisciplinary environment of Cultural Studies

• Study the complexity and evolution of cultural values, artefacts, rituals and practices

• Learn to critically reflect upon and evaluate your own cultural background, norms and tastes

• Debate the relationship between culture, power and representation

• Examine the politics and cultural manifestations of resistance

• Develop your research skills to postgraduate standard, equipping you for professional research or application for doctoral study

• Gain relevant work experience while you study

• Join the thriving research culture of the School of Humanities and gain experience presenting your work at a postgraduate conference