Feminist Cultural Activism - ENG00164M

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Module summary

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 2025-26

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

You will receive feedback on all assessed work within the University deadline, and will often receive it more quickly. The purpose of feedback is to inform your future work; it is designed to help you to improve your work, and the Department also offers you help in learning from your feedback. If you do not understand your feedback or want to talk about your ideas further you can discuss it with your module tutor, the MA Convenor or your supervisor, during their Feedback and Consultation Hours.

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.
• Guerrilla Girls website: http://www.guerrillagirls.com
• Harris, A., ed. Next Wave Cultures: Feminism, Subcultures, Activism London: Routledge, 2008.
• Miller, K. Iconographies of Gender, Poverty, and Power in Contemporary South African Visual Culture Feminist Formations 19, 1 2007: 118-136.
• Miner, V. Writing Feminist Fiction: Solitary Genesis or Collective Criticism? Frontiers: 6, 1/2, 1981.
• Mullin, A. Feminist Art and the Political Imagination Hypatia, 18, 4, 2003, pp 189-213.
• Piepmeier, A. Girl Zines: Making media, doing feminism New York: New York UP, 2009.
• Spence, J. & J Solomon What Can a Woman Do With a Camera? London: Scarlet Press, 1995.