Module Description
This employability module offers an introduction to critical approaches to the changing role of cultural work in society and the contexts of the cultural industries. We will develop a critical understanding of what art and culture are, and how their production has changed since 1989. We will look at the changing shape of culture during this period across public and commercial artistic production, from public art galleries to commercial marketing. We will situate ourselves in this history by reference to to top-down changes in cultural policy, and different bottom-up theoretical approaches to art, culture and work.
Aims
-to introduce students to the broad field of cultural labour and the various roles they might pursue within it, understanding the skills, attitudes and competencies sought by employers in a capitalist market;
-to develop students' critical approach to situating themselves in the world of cultural work, understanding the changing humanities graduate labour market;
-to develop self-reflective tools and practices of judgement, critique and strategy for the personal employability development of competencies, critiques and practices for living in a capitalist society;
-to be able to effectively articulate and present themselves in a tailored CV, covering letter, application form and interview.
Learning Outcomes
-a sound grasp of broad trends in cultural policy and the changing employment market for cultural labour;
-the confidence and ability to develop their own strategic understanding of their place in the world and entrepreneurially identify and pursue opportunities and risks in the world of cultural work;
-confidence in dealing with job interviews and applications.
This employability module offers an introduction to critical approaches to the changing role of cultural work in society and the contexts of the cultural industries. We will develop a critical understanding of what art and culture are, and how their production has changed since 1989. We will look at the changing shape of culture during this period across public and commercial artistic production, from public art galleries to commercial marketing. We will situate ourselves in this history by reference to to top-down changes in cultural policy, and different bottom-up theoretical approaches to art, culture and work.
Aims
-to introduce students to the broad field of cultural labour and the various roles they might pursue within it, understanding the skills, attitudes and competencies sought by employers in a capitalist market;
-to develop students' critical approach to situating themselves in the world of cultural work, understanding the changing humanities graduate labour market;
-to develop self-reflective tools and practices of judgement, critique and strategy for the personal employability development of competencies, critiques and practices for living in a capitalist society;
-to be able to effectively articulate and present themselves in a tailored CV, covering letter, application form and interview.
Learning Outcomes
-a sound grasp of broad trends in cultural policy and the changing employment market for cultural labour;
-the confidence and ability to develop their own strategic understanding of their place in the world and entrepreneurially identify and pursue opportunities and risks in the world of cultural work;
-confidence in dealing with job interviews and applications.