SML1022 : Introduction to Cultural Studies
- Offered for Year: 2021/22
- Module Leader(s): Dr Nick Morgan
- Lecturer: Dr Jo Smith Finley, Dr Kathryn Robson, Professor Guy Austin
- Other Staff: Miss Alba Griffin, Dr Gary Jenkins
- Owning School: Modern Languages
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 10 |
| Semester 2 Credit Value: | 10 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
Aims
In consonance with the overall aims of the degrees offered in the School of Modern Languages, this module aims to introduce students to the systematic study of culture and cultural production, introducing them to a range of theoretical approaches that will prepare them for the study of culture throughout their degree programmes.
In addition, this module aims to make aspects of the above available to students from outside the degree.
Outline Of Syllabus
Lecture materials and synchronous teaching activities (both present-in-person and online) will introduce students to the knowledge and skills required for the comparative analysis and study of culture in context.
Case studies will be drawn from a wide range of countries (e.g. from East Asia, Europe, Latin America) and will be used to exemplify the problems attendant on the study of categories such as gender, class, ethnicity.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 9 | 1:00 | 9:00 | Present-in-Person (lecture) |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 40:00 | 40:00 | N/A |
| Structured Guided Learning | Structured research and reading activities | 7 | 2:00 | 14:00 | Non-synchronous online (structured lecture materials replacing what would have been lectures) |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 9 | 1:00 | 9:00 | Present-in-Person (seminar) |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 1 | 1:00 | 1:00 | Synchronous online (tutorial) |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 127:00 | 127:00 | N/A |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
We will adopt flexible, blended learning methods and strategies to introduce students to Cultural Studies as a scholarly field. Lecture material will be covered by present in person teaching, where practicable, and also in the form of non-synchronous online teaching. These activities will outline general principles, illustrated
by specific examples, and be supplemented by structured independent reading and guided online learning activities.
Small group teaching, noted above as synchronous present-in-person teaching, where practicable, will allow
students to examine cultural products, allowing for detailed discussion and analysis as well as revisiting and
reinforcing knowledge from the lecture materials and online guided activities. In the event of COVID lockdowns, present in person sessions will be replaced by synchronous online sessions, in the case of seminars, and structured learning supplemented by synchronous online sessions in the case of lectures. Seminars will provide the students with the opportunity to lead discussion on a topic through interactive activities that develop their independent thinking and critical analysis. Both types of learning activities will include advice on how to prepare for assessment. Tutorial hours allow students to consult the module leader with any particular difficulties in understanding concepts, tasks, etc.
Independent learning includes preparation for small group work, further reading and assessment.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
| Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written Examination | 60 | 1 | A | 40 | 24-hour take home exam (60 minutes) |
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 2 | M | 60 | 2000 word essay in English |
Formative Assessments
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Written exercise | 1 | M | Worksheet requiring short answers on concepts of culture and cultural identity, that stem from reading covered up to Week 5 S1. |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The Semester 1 formative assessment allows students to demonstrate their grasp of the foundational concepts which will be tested in the take home exam. The Semester 2 summative assessment allows students to build on the feedback gained from the formative assessment and the knowledge and skills developed over both semesters to plan and execute an assessed essay that asks them to apply their conceptual knowledge to a specific context, in the same way that the seminars exemplify the concepts discussed in the rest of the course
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- SML1022's Timetable