Awards

Target Award

Award Description:Master of Arts - MA
Alternative Exit
Alternative Exit

Programme Offerings

Part-Time

F2F-JMU-SEP

Educational Aims of the Course

Critically engage with the development of theoretical approaches to understanding cities, with a particular focus on the interrelationships between cities, culture and creativity Critically analyse how cultural policy can contribute to re-imagining cities and a wide range of theoretical conceptualisations of place marketing and branding and apply relevant constructs to case studies. Provide practical examples of creativity and culture within the context of the city. Provide a progressive and challenging curriculum that is informed by contemporary research. Conduct original research set in the framework of relevant secondary literature. Provide a good grounding in quantitative and qualitative research methods especially those relating to cultural policy and cities. The specific aims of the programme are to enable students to: Critique key theories and concepts relating to Cities, Culture and Creativity. Critically evaluate the impact of arts and culture on community building and civic participation. Examine the history and development of cities at local, national, regional, international and global levels Carry out original and independent research through the development of a critical appreciation of research methodologies appropriate for the study of Cities, Culture and Creativity Meet the challenges of employment in a global society through the development of their intellectual, analytical and research skills related to the study of Cities, Culture and Creativity Critically examine how cultural policy fits within broader strategies for re-imagining cities. Develop skills in evaluation, synthesis, and presentation of scholarly arguments. Provide historical and literary context to assist students understand contemporary cities.

Learning Outcomes

1.
Critically engage with the theories, principles and debates which underpin the study of Cities, Culture and Creativity.
2.
Offer a detailed evaluation of the inter-relationships between Cities, Culture and Creativity.
3.
Display a critical awareness of the roles that policy makers play in a range of cultural and social formations.
4.
Demonstrate an advanced understanding of past and current debates that inform understanding of Cities, Culture and Creativity.
5.
Critically evaluate the limitations of research methodologies and using this judgement propose their own research design.
6.
Draw upon knowledge of the ways in which theories and concepts have developed in particular contexts in their assessment of contemporary issues and debates.
7.
Critically evaluate the role and contribution of cultural planning and projects to re-imagining cities.
8.
Critically reflect upon their research and, if relevant, professional practice.
9.
Make a contribution to the developing research and scholarly activity of the university through sharing practice, learning and experiences with peers.
10.
Develop substantive and detailed knowledge and understanding in one or more designated areas of the field(s).
11.
Engage critically with theories and concepts relating to Cities, Culture and Creativity and put them to productive use.
12.
Demonstrate creativity in the application of knowledge and the development of a critical and informed perspective on how techniques of research and enquiry are used to interpret knowledge and practice in areas relating to Cities, Culture and Creativity.
13.
Reflect critically on their own work in a reflexive manner with reference to academic and/or professional issues, debates and conventions.
14.
Evaluate the rigour and validity of published research and assess its relevance to new situations within different contexts.
15.
Evaluate the rigour and validity of published research and assess relevance to cities, culture and creativity.
16.
Apply a range of research methodologies and data collection processes to inform the critical analysis of and reflection on practice.
17.
Design, carry out and present various forms of research involving sustained independent enquiry at an advanced level.
18.
Understand the limits of the major research methods associated with the study of cities, and be able to apply this knowledge critically to their own work.
19.
Develop project management skills through completion of the dissertation when students will propose, design and conduct research that will demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of concepts, information and techniques at the forefront of the Cities, Culture and Creativity.
20.
Apply relevant critical debates to practical work.
21.
Appreciate how diverse audiences and communities engage with Cities, Culture and Creativity at local, regional, national, international and global levels.
22.
Apply the capacity for original and creative thinking and critical analysis and reflection on key issues associated with cities, culture and creativity.
23.
Work in a flexible and independent way, showing self-discipline and reflexivity.
24.
Plan and implement tasks in a professional manner.
25.
Communicate their findings clearly and scholarly to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
26.
Initiate, develop and realise distinctive and creative work.
27.
Retrieve and generate information, and critically evaluate sources, in carrying out independent research.
28.
Communicate ideas at an advanced level, deliver work to a given length, format, brief and deadline, properly referencing sources and ideas and adapting a problem-solving approach demonstrating professionalism.
29.
Students will be provided with opportunities to strengthen their presentation skills and communicate within an academic community in a professional manner.

Teaching, Learning and Assessment

The programme has an integrated teaching, learning and assessment strategy. The assessment strategy for the programme is underpinned by appropriate learning and teaching strategies which are relevant and provide a structured set of learning opportunities enabling achievement, of individual module, and programme level, learning outcomes. Critical awareness is achieved through interactive lectures, workshops, case studies, presentations by experts, student presentations, seminars and group discussions and individual reading and research. A blended learning approach will be adopted on the programme with resources to support learning provided via Canvas. Integration and synthesis across the programme lead to the programmes intended learning outcomes. These are assessed through a variety of formative and summative assessments including: assessed presentations, essays, practical portfolio, research based exercises, critical review, research plan, student defined assessment and a dissertation. Specific details of these can be found in the module guides. Lectures will act as a guide to the area of study and will focus on conceptual frameworks, areas or case studies. In workshops and seminars students will be expected to work both collegially and independently. The nature of the seminars and workshops is intended to be interactive and group activities will be a significant part of student led and defined discussion. They will be supported throughout the programme to formulate ideas and responses to current debates and research so that they can develop an advanced understanding of the field and apply these ideas appropriately. The assessment strategy provides a structure of assessment through which students can meet the intended learning outcomes of the programme. Students skills are assessed through the self-direction, innovation and judgement required to complete research essays, presentations and the dissertation. The relationship between formative and summative assessment enables tutors to provide feedback which will support students in their development and enable them to make the most of their academic potential. Students are required to consider different means of communicating their research findings, formulate their response to critical issues and contemporary debates and evaluate contemporary trends across a range of different types of assessment. Lectures, workshops, seminars, field trips, independent study and research, presentation and the production of assessment all contribute to the development of professional practical skills. There will be particular focus on the research design of the dissertation and its management and critique in tutorials. Students will also have seminar discussion and workshops. The extent to which students have developed these skills will be assessed through essays, critical reflection and the dissertation. Students will be introduced to the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) environment and encouraged to use it. They will have Personal Development Planning tutorials and ICT will be provided. Seminars, lectures, case studies and interaction with practitioners will allow them to observe and discriminate between different perspectives, communication strategies and understand the responsibilities of academic research. These professional skills will be assessed through oral presentation, essays, the practical portfolio and the dissertation.

Opportunities for work related learning

The course provides a range of opportunities for work related learning. These include workshops and field visits with cultural partner organisations, creative community and arts based organisations, where students will hear from a range of professional practitioners and guest speakers. Students selecting topics as case studies for their assignments and dissertations will gain experience of researching and tackling 'real world' issues, with the opportunity to both work with and feed results back to the staff of cultural organisations and creative community projects.

Programme Structure

Programme Structure Description

Cities is an MA programme which uses a core modular structure to investigate the interconnections between Cities, culture and creativity. It enables students to develop an advanced critical understanding of theory, concepts, debates, research methods and current research. Students will produce and critique their own work, analyse policy documents, explore … For more content click the Read More button below. In Understanding Cities: theory, culture and social change students will critically engage with the development of theoretical approaches to understanding cities, with a focus on the interrelationships between cities, culture, and creativity. In Research Methods students are introduced to fundamentals of research design and the major quantitative and qualitative research methods, especially those relating to cultural policy and cities. In Re-imagining Cities: using cultural policy & place marketing students will critically examine how cultural policy fits within broader strategies for re-imagining cities, the effectiveness of different approaches and related issues such as whether artistic integrity and authenticity and maintaining local distinctiveness are compatible with urban managerialism. The Creative Communities module explores the concept of creative communities, their formation, objectives and impacts. Through use of case studies students will develop an understanding of how such communities develop and are sustained, their social and economic impacts and the importance of cultural leadership. In the Dissertation module students will be provided with grounding in practical research skills in preparation for their own dissertation. Students will have the option to study 'real world' dissertation topics suggested by local cultural partners. A student may be awarded a PGCert for completion of any 60 credits (not including 7006MCCC).  A student may be awarded a PGDip for completion of the 120 taught credits (not including 7006MCCC). Students undertaking the MA part-time will complete 7000MCCC and 7002MCCC in Year 1, followed by 7001MCCC and 7004MCCC, plus the final Dissertation module 7006MCCC in Year 2. 

Entry Requirements

IELTS
Other international requirements
RPL
Undergraduate degree

Extra Entry Requirements

  • You will not be interviewed

HECoS Code(s)

(CAH13-01) architecture, building and planning