Introductory description

In this module students will explore scholarly debates about work in the cultural and creative industries. Through theoretical and historical perspectives and empirical examples drawing from research into work in the contemporary arts and cultural industries the module will provide a framework through which to examine how cultural work has been imagined, understood and represented as a particular kind of work. This will include consideration of significant historical and contemporary theoretical perspectives on the nature of work itself, the place of work in our understanding of human nature and culture, the relations between work and aesthetic/creative forms of cultural production and the broadened organisational and policy infrastructures which have come to support and underpin them.

Module web page

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 syllabus will be organised through 9 topic-based seminars, with dedicated readings supported
through a Moodle page, in keeping with the established structures of the CMPS suite of option
modules.

Proposed topics may include

1. Introducing cultural work
2. ‘Work’, ‘Art’, ‘Craft’ – historicising cultural work
3. The ‘production of culture perspective’ on cultural work
4. Emotional and aesthetic labour and cultural work
5. Cultural intermediaries and precarious cultural work.
6. The ethics and politics of cultural work.
7. Cultural labour markets, cultural policy and cultural work
8. Futures of cultural and creative work
9. Representing cultural work.

Learning outcomes

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

• Critically assess and evaluate a range of theoretical and scholarly perspectives on cultural work
• Work creatively and independently on the construction of a coherent argument about a chosen aspect of cultural work
• Analyse and critique a variety of forms of evidence relating to cultural work and the cultural industries
• Interpret and articulate perspectives on scholarly debates and evidence about cultural work in class discussion
• Critically assess the relations between the labour market for cultural work and cultural policy

Interdisciplinary

Draws upon a range of disciplines and theoretical perspectives from Sociology, Psychology, Management and Cultural Theory

International

Though focused on a Western context this module incorporates European and North American perspectives in addition to some empirical studies from other contexts.

Subject specific skills

Use of in-depth knowledge and understanding of the labour market for cultural work to articulate the impact and interdependence of complex social factors such as policy, education and economic contexts.
Ability to critically analyse and evaluate a range of theoretical and scholarly perspectives on cultural work.
Ability to analyse and critique a variety of forms of evidence relating to cultural work and the cultural industries.
Use a range of

Transferable skills

Ability to distinguish between reliable and unreliable sources of evidence
Synthesise and critically analyse relevant and reliable theory and evidence to engage in effective problem solving and knowledge creation
Understand the importance of context and incorporate a range of perspectives and levels of analysis in the development of ideas.