Creative Industries London - Study Abroad Module

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London College of Communication

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Explore. Understand. Communicate. Creative industries are not just about making meaning: they are also about making money. When you join Creative Industries London you’ll get under the skin of contemporary communication practices in one of the most inspiring cities in the world.

This course is perfect for you if you need to gain additional credit or need to show evidence of intercultural competence.

With a focus on disruption in design, media and screen industries it is ideal for students joining degrees in media communications, photography, advertising, PR, graphic design, information and interaction design, film, animation and games.

Description

This three-week course is designed to give you a solid foundation in theory and an introduction to disruptive design, media and screen practices. You’ll take workshops in blogging, photography and video whilst learning in seminars about the networks of cultural power.

It has been developed specifically for you if you are are joining an Integrated Study Abroad programme at University of the Arts London. You can add the Creative Industries London module at the start of the Autumn term or the end of the Spring term.

Features

3 weeks, 45 class hours
3 credits – to be awarded by home university
September (Autumn term), January (Spring Term) and March (Spring term)
Assessed module included on Record of Study
Collaborate with students from other courses
Evidence of intercultural competence

Content

Lectures and seminars: creative economy, copyright and copyleft, promotional industries
Workshops: blogging, DSLR photography and video making with smartphones
Visits: East London, creative cooperatives, Bussey Building and Museum of Brands
Individual project: Creative London

Course Aims

To enable you to develop a critical understanding of developments in the media and cultural industries and their economic and political context and significance
To support you to present your research and ideas confidently – in writing, face-to-face and online
To introduce you to a range of contemporary media and communications practices

Learning Outcomes

Awareness of the economic forces which frame the media, cultural and creative industries, and the role of such industries in contemporary political and cultural life (Subject Knowledge)
Ability to critically analyse issues relating to the production, regulation and consumption of media and cultural artefacts (Research, Analysis)
Initiate and realise distinctive creative work in visual or other electronic media (Technical Competence)

Requirements for Assessment

Contribution to online media presence
Presentation of ideas and concept development

Reading List and Resources

Please note this list is indicative and you won’t need to go out and buy any books until you have begun the course.

Carah, N. and Louw, E. 2015. Media & Society: Production, Content and Participation. London: Sage (especially chapters 2, 4, 5, 8, 9, 11, 13 and 14)
Cottrell, S. 2008. The Study Skills Handbook. 3rd ed. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan
Hesmondhalgh, D. 2013. The Cultural Industries. London: Sage
Oakley, K. and O’Connor, J. 2015. The Routledge Companion to the Cultural Industries. London: Routledge

You may also want to have a look at Artefact, an arts and lifestyle magazine and website produced by students at London College of Communication.

Course Outline

Week One:

The first week will introduce you to some of the key issues and questions relating to the creative industries: What is the relationship between culture and commerce? What is it like to work in the creative industries, and what are the politics of creative labour? Should culture be free? What is the future of the creative industries in an era of file-sharing and social media?

Through a series of practical workshops, you will be introduced to blog writing and DSLR photography. Our visits to sites of cultural production around London will allow you to start gathering the raw material for your blog.

Week Two:

In week two we will look at the way that the promotional industries have helped shape the media and the culture at large. We will also take an in-depth look at the state of two specific creative industries, music and television, and how they have adapted to the new digital media environment

You’ll further develop your practical skills in workshops on videomaking with smart phones, and put these skills to use on research visits around London. At the end of the week you will be briefed on the Creative London project, which will form your assessment at the end of week three.

Week Three:

In the final week of the module you will complete an individual project about the creative industries in London. In lectures and seminars we will discuss issues around gentrification, cultural entrepreneurship and the way that the creative industries have shaped the physical and social structure of London. We will visit some of London’s “creative hubs,” where the impact of the creative industries on the fabric of the city has been most profound.

There will be more workshops to help you develop your project on Creative London, and at the end of the week you will be assessed on the presentation of your project, giving you the chance to demonstrate the communication skills you have developed over the three-week course.

Tutors

Robert Urquhart is a writer, contributing editor, a strategic consultant and a lecturer teaching BA (Hons) Design Management at UAL London College of Communication.

Robert studied for a BA(Hons) in Fine Art at the University of Hertfordshire before moving in to sound design for television, producing sound effects for animations for television, on Channel 4 Learning

Robert then went on to curate an art gallery and programmed events in Hoxton Square, East London at a time when Shoreditch was becoming the hub of creativity that it is known for today. From there he moved into cultural event production, as well as research and development for technology start-ups in London.

In 2005, Robert started writing for design magazines and working in digital advertising as a copywriter, including international campaigns for Skype, Activision and Samsung. Bringing skills in storytelling, production and knowledge of design together, Robert worked for the London Design Festival heading up the new online vision in 2010.

Since then Robert has traveled a lot, lectured, written as a freelance journalist and futurist for many of the world's leading design press, worked as a writer and, latterly, as a strategic consultant working with product designers and architects on large-scale projects in USA.

Currently a contributing editor at Elephant, a quarterly international print magazine dedicated to arts and culture, Robert’s expertise lies in uncovering the narrative within the expanding world of design. Robert is a lecturer of Design Management at University of the Arts London, College of Communication and holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice in Art, Design and Communication from UAL.

Robert won a D&AD award in 2012 for his editorial work.

Lamprini Tzanaki graduated with a BA (Hons) Photography from University of The Arts London, specialising in studio photography and moving image. She now works full-time for the university as a graduate recruitment officer. Her role involves extensive travel to Colleges around the UK and Europe where she leads workshops on photography and mixed media and offers seminars to prospective undergraduate applicants.

Megan St Clair is a freelance illustrator and creative media professional. After completing her BA in Fashion Illustration at London College of Fashion, she started a career of a fashion illustrator and social media professional, with clients such as JW Anderson, Dolce and Gabbana, Swarovski amongst others. Megan continues to work across Europe; both as a professional and tutor. She has taught at London College of Communication, London College of Fashion and Amsterdam Fashion Institute amongst others. You can see her work here.

Course Handbook

Please see the Handbook - Creative Industries London Module PDF [706kb] for more course information. Please note that this is a draft copy, the content will be mostly the same, although dates and tutors may vary slightly.

Entry Requirements

This course has been specifically designed for students who are joining an Integrated Study Abroad course at University of the Arts London. You will need to be accepted onto an Integrated Study Abroad course to be made an offer. Simply indicative you would also like to join this course.

With a focus on disruptive design, media and screen industries it is ideal for students joining degrees in media communications, photography, advertising, PR, graphic design, information and interaction design, film, animation and games.

It is ideal for you if you need to gain additional credit or show evidence of intercultural competence.

Entry Requirements:

Academic - You do not need any prior study in media or cultural theory. If you have questions about your academic background, please make an enquiry to the UAL Study Abroad team.

English - You should be proficient in written and spoken English and be able to participate in group discussions and make presentations. As a guideline we would expect you to have an IELTS score of 6.0. The Language Centre at University of the Arts London offers English courses for overseas students.

Course Credits

The Creative Industries London Study Abroad Module is worth 3 Credits.

It is your responsibility to make sure that your UAL classes will transfer back to your home institution. In order for your credit to transfer back to your home institution, you and your advisors should read through the course handbook together to have a clear idea about what you will be studying while you are here, before you travel to London. The module is accompanied by a Handbook - Creative Industries London Module PDF [296KB], which you and your home institution should use to determine credit transfer.

The Creative Industries London Study Abroad Module will be included on the record of study that you will receive at the end of your time abroad.

Enquire about this course

If you haven’t found the information you’re looking for or want to ask us a question about this course, please fill out our enquiry form to contact the UAL Study Abroad team.

Dates and fees

Spring Term 2021:

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