The structure of BA Culture, Criticism and Curation provides opportunities for projects which are close to live experiences. These cover conceptual thinking to details of risk assessments, health and safety and ethics. You will develop your skills around concept generation, funding, writing press releases and writing briefs. The course addresses the challenges of collaborative work and project management from the first year, culminating in curatorial work for the Degree Show.
You will develop transferable communication skills during every project and assignment. These include: researching and writing academic humanities essays; writing appropriate journalistic texts for traditional newspapers and for digital communication media; the preparation of pitches for clients; the completion of applications for funding; CVs and personal statements for academic and job applications; and practice in oral presentation using appropriate technology and debate.
Stage 1
Unit 1: Introduction to Culture, Criticism and Curation
Unit 2: Aspects of Culture 1: The Long 19th Century
Unit 3: Journalistic Writing 1
Unit 4: Aspects of Culture 2: The 20th Century
Unit 5: Curating 1: A Curatorial Tool Kit
Unit 6: Aspects of Culture 3: The Contemporary
Units in this stage provide a foundation of knowledge in the histories and theories of culture in the modern period. You will be introduced to journalistic and academic writing and digital technologies. You will explore and develop your individual strengths and approaches to a relevant subject interest. In this stage, you will study together as a whole class and also in smaller seminar groups.
Stage 2
Unit 7: Elective 1
Unit 8: Aspects of Culture 4: Interrogating Histories
Unit 9: Curating 2: Useable Pasts
Unit 10: Aspects of Culture 5: Contemporary Cultural Theories
Unit 11: Journalistic Writing 2: Multimedia
Unit 12: Critical Cultural Practice
In this stage, you will develop a variety of approaches. You will complete an extended piece of academic research and writing, and work on a chosen subject in depth. Through tutorial guidance, seminars, lectures, independent study and team projects, you will explore the breadth of your subject and develop your talents in relation to it. You will also begin your dissertation and London Project which form Stage 3.
Stage 3
Unit 13: Dissertation
Unit 14: Elective 2
Unit 15: Degree Show and London Project
In the final stage, you will develop your independence as you complete your dissertation and London Project. You will also engage in formal study on your elective subject. You will work with your year group towards the Degree Show – a major opportunity to curate an exhibition. The London Project and the Degree Show also give you the chance to develop “real project briefs”. They offer the potential of connecting with external organisations.
Exchange opportunities
Students enrolled on BA Culture, Criticism and Curation have the opportunity to spend time studying outside of the UK at a partner institution. Studying overseas allows you to experience a new culture, an alternative perspective on the course’s subject discipline and different learning and teaching methods. The application process for these opportunities is competitive. Alongside this, BA Culture, Criticism and Curation is actively engaged in the University’s Study Abroad scheme, with the incoming international students bringing an important additional dynamic to the course.
Currently only a small number of places are available, which will be subject to Government guidelines on travel abroad during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mode of study
BA Culture, Criticism and Curation runs for 90 weeks in full time mode. It is divided into three stages over three academic years. Each stage lasts 30 weeks. You will be expected to commit 40 per week to study, which includes teaching time and independent study.
Credit and award requirements
The course is credit-rated at 360 credits, with 120 credits at each stage (level).
On successfully completing the course, you will gain a Bachelor of Arts with Honours (BA Hons degree).
Under the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications the stages for a BA are: Stage 1 (Level 4), Stage 2 (Level 5) and Stage 3 (Level 6). In order to progress to the next stage, all units of the preceding stage must normally be passed: 120 credits must be achieved in each stage. The classification of the award will be derived from the marks of units in Stages 2 and 3 or only Stage 3, using a dual algorithm.
If you are unable to continue on the course, a Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE) will normally be offered following the successful completion of Level 4 (or 120 credits), or a Diploma in Higher Education (DipHE) following the successful completion of Level 5 (or 240 credits).
