Introductory description

This module builds on the student knowledge of the creative, media and cultural sectors with specific reference to the practicalities of working in these organisations and appreciating the challenges faced by them. It also aims to develop the students’ professional skills and confidence honed through practical work experience in an organisation.

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

The module will be delivered through a series of seminars and students will undertake placement/s totalling 4 weeks.

Areas to be covered in the seminars include:

• Research and writing for industry
• Personal, professional and industrial behaviours and aptitudes
• Strategic and business planning
• Devising policies and action plans
• Tracking progress and professional development
• Independent thinking and working in a team
• Critical reflection on professional practice
• Report writing and gathering evidence of impact

The module will be assessed through a Portfolio of Evidence based on the placement, and will include a detailed SWOT analysis of the organisation where the placement is undertaken.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Develop an ability to understand how an organisation makes decisions and creates strategic plans
• Understand the relationships between the organisation’s different policies and how they relate to the contemporary landscape of the sectors e.g. how artistic, financial and marketing policies are derived
• Undertake a short placement or work-based study and analyse the operations
• Develop an appreciation of professional working practices and work environments
• Understand and detail the challenges an organisation faces and how it addresses these
• Compile a detailed SWOT analysis for a live organisation of their choice
• Develop professional and networking skills

Indicative reading list

Barrow, P. (2001): The Best-Laid Business Plans: (Virgin Publishing Ltd)
Bryson, John. M (2011) Strategic Planning for Public and Non Profit Organisations, Jossey Bass
Carlsen. J, Andersson.T.D., (2011) "Strategic SWOT analysis of public, private and not-for-profit festival organisations", International Journal of Event and Festival Management, Vol. 2 Issue: 1, pp.83 – 97
Graham and Gardini (2017) Collaborative Production in the Creative Industries London: University of Westminster Press
McRobbie, Angela (2018) Be Creative: Making a Living in the New Culture Industries Cambridge: Polity Press

Interdisciplinary

Draws on management, sociology, psychology and cultural theory

Subject specific skills

Critical understanding of relevant theoretical concepts.
Knowledge and understanding of a range of work contexts within the cultural and creative sectors.
Critical understanding of the range of factors impacting upon a work environment in the cultural and creative sectors.

Transferable skills

Critical self-reflection of one's own experiences in the workplace
Networking
Professional behaviours including time-keeping, time-management and organising travel to work
Collaboration
Critical understanding of the relationship between theory and practice