AD3042 - Critical Cultural Encounters

You will learn on the module through a stimulating programme of lectures, seminars, and encounters with cultures, products and organisations. Your learning will build core academic skills through formative exploration individually and in groups to support you as a Foundation student. The module design emphasises collaborative peer learning experiences as well as individual study. Lectures will introduce topics and ideas while seminars and discussion groups provide an opportunity to develop, explore and consolidate learning, including honing written and verbal communication skills. You will be required to make positive contributions to the learning experience, by preparing for class by undertaking (where appropriate) reading or viewing activities as directed by tutors. Bi-weekly encounters with a cultural product or organisation (for example: theatre production, film, new media coverage of an event, social media performances, gallery viewing, visit to a museum) will extend your knowledge base and enable you to apply your evolving understanding of key concepts, issues, and approaches to the examples of practice you encounter. At key points in the module, there will be information and advice given in lectures and seminars relating to the skills required for assessment preparation such as presentation skills, essay structure, research processes, citation of sources and use of quotations, academic language, etc. In addition to learning during contact hours with the module tutors, you will undertake the directed learning of the preparatory activities as well as independent learning. Independent learning generally will take the form of further reading and research, the consolidation of session materials and the completion of the assessment. Sessions will be delivered by the module team to ensure you benefit from their particular expertise across a range of disciplines.

Essential information and resources including details of sessions, lecture learning materials, reading lists, and assessment briefs and criteria are made available on the module Blackboard site (e-learning portal). The module will incorporate assessment preparation discussion, with advice on how to approach the tasks. The module tutors will be available in taught sessions, as well as in feedback and consultation hours and by email, to discuss any queries or concerns you have about how to excel academically on the module. Moreover, feedback on formative work and the first summative assessments will also serve as ‘feed forward’, giving guidance on how to improve during the module. In addition, you have a designated Personal Guidance Tutor throughout the entire duration of your programme. The academic side of the Personal Guidance Tutor’s role includes:
• monitoring your ongoing academic progress
• helping you to develop self-reflection skills necessary for continuous academic development
• directing you to further available services which can help them with their academic skills (e.g. Library’s Skills Plus)

You are advised to see your Personal Guidance Tutor at least twice each semester to review your academic progress.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.

Knowledge and Understanding
MLO 1 Demonstrate an awareness of critical thinking in relation to subject and object of study

Intellectual / Professional Skills and Abilities
MLO 2 Demonstrate academic skills of written prose, citation, oral presentation, and independent research.

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
MLO 3 Demonstrate a capacity for curiosity and cultural engagement
MLO 4 Appreciate the relevance of arts and culture to current and historical, ethical and ideological debates

Formative:
You will be supported with feedback through formative (i.e. informal) tasks within the module seminars to prepare for the summative (i.e. formal) assessment for the module.

Summative:

The group presentation (ten minutes; 50% weighting) takes the form of a review of a cultural encounter (eg. play, exhibition, film etc). You also submit evidence of research materials and a short reflection on your contribution to the task (up to 400 words). Through the task you will demonstrate an awareness of critical thinking (MLO1), skills of research, reflection and presentation (MLO2), a capacity for curiosity (MLO3) and an appreciation of the relevance of arts and culture to current social debates (ML04).

The individual essay (1500 words; 50% weighting) is an individual written review of an appropriate cultural object (e.g. film, journalism, play, artwork; may not be the same as in assessment 1). Through the task you will demonstrate an awareness of critical thinking (MLO1), skills of research, citation, reflection and presentation (MLO2), a capacity for curiosity and cultural engagement (MLO3) and an appreciation of the relevance of arts and culture to current social debates (MLO4)

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This experiential module is designed to enable you to develop as a critically engaged, self-sufficient, curious learner though engaging in a series of encounters with current practice in the fields of film, media, theatre and performance, and fine art. The module will comprise weekly lectures with a bi-weekly rotation of an encounter with a cultural product or organisation (for example: theatre production, film, new media coverage of an event, social media performances, gallery viewing, visit to a museum) and a seminar critically reflecting on that encounter in relation to key reading. You will cultivate key skills for university (research, teamwork and collaboration, synthesising ideas, project management, communication and debate etc). The module will be assessed via a group presentation and an individual essay.