This module draws on three main strands: we explore the work of feminist artists, performers and writers; we assess how activists can and do use forms of art for political purposes; and we learn how to produce our own feminist cultural activist material (e.g. pamphlets, photos, slam poetry) for a specific context. No prior artistic skills are necessary.
Module will run
Occurrence
Teaching period
A
Semester 1 2024-25
Module aims
This module ranges across cultural production, theory and activism. We will:
make - try out a variety of activities, e.g. zines/pamphlets, photographs, performance;
imagine - through practicing art and crafts we will challenge our own beliefs and opinions,
think - evaluate perspectives on cultural production in various settings and societies;
activate - produce our own feminist cultural activist material in response to specific issues. and develop creative ways of effecting political change;
Module learning outcomes
After successfully completing this module, students should:
Be able to critically assess the practices of contemporary feminist cultural activism in a variety of national and international contexts.
Be familiar with a range of disciplinary and interdisciplinary feminist perspectives connecting activism, art and academic work.
Be critically aware of the cultural specificities of and global connections between cultural politics.
Have acquired knowledge of a range of cultural methodologies and theoretical models suitable for studying other cultural studies topics.
Be well-practiced in seminar presentation, critique and discussion, e-learning, and entry-level skills in a variety of community/ political activities and digital media.
Have access to networks with professional, entrepreneurial and political potential.
Indicative assessment
Task
% of module mark
Essay/coursework
100
Special assessment rules
None
Indicative reassessment
Task
% of module mark
Essay/coursework
100
Module feedback
Provisional feedback (subject to external examiners' confirmation or Exam Board ratification) due to students by Monday Week 2 of Semester 2.
Indicative reading
Firat, Beg ¼m Ozden, Kuryel, Aylin. Cultural activism Amsterdam: Rodopi, 2011
Garlough, C.L. On the Political Uses of Folklore: Performance and Grassroots Feminist Activism in India Journal of American Folklore, 121, 480, 2008, pp.167-191.
Gauntlett, D, Making is connecting: the social meaning of creativity, from DIY and knitting to YouTube and Web 2.0 Cambridge: Polity Press, 2011.