It differs from other MAs in the field in being more broadly interdisciplinary, more generally theoretical, and rooted in recent themes in cultural analysis. Courses are taught by leading researchers who contribute to British and international cultural studies from a wide range of disciplinary perspectives across the Social Sciences and Arts and Humanities faculties. The MA in Cultural Studies offers will be of interest to students with backgrounds in a variety of humanities and social science disciplines who are interested in cultural theory and contemporary cultural practices. Please indicate on your application if you wish to be considered and be sure to submit your application early. The degree is structured around two core courses, four options, and a dissertation.
Students normally complete six modules of course work across the autumn and spring term.
Dissertations are written during the summer term and over the summer vacation, with supervision by ICR core staff and associated faculty. As the first core course in the MA in Cultural Studies, this module is designed to familiarise students with key theoretical debates in Cultural Studies. The first half of the course explores traditional debates about mass and popular culture, with reference to the Frankfurt School and British Cultural Studies work on television audiences. The second part of the course examines debates about questions of subjectivity, identity and cultural praxis with reference to Althusserian ideology theory, and Foucauldean approaches to corporeality, knowledge and power. These concepts are explored through case studies drawn from popular music, television and film.