Overview
This introductory course examines the arts as cultural practices shaped by history, identity, institutions, technology, and social power. Students engage with visual art, music, theatre, dance, film, design, literature, and digital media while considering how artistic works are produced, circulated, interpreted, and valued.
Topics include formal analysis, cultural production and reception, representation, identity and belonging, cultural appropriation, censorship, patronage, museums and galleries, popular culture, public art, Indigenous and global perspectives, and the relationship between artistic works and their social contexts. Learning activities develop close reading, visual analysis, contextual research, ethical reasoning, discussion, and reflective communication through engagement with cultural institutions and digital exhibitions.
Learning Outcomes
- Define and explain major concepts in arts and cultural studies, including representation, reception, patronage, appropriation, and cultural power.
- Analyze creative works using formal, historical, social, and cultural evidence.
- Compare interpretations of artistic practices across communities, traditions, media, and historical contexts.
- Evaluate issues of representation, access, ownership, censorship, and institutional power in cultural production.
- Conduct introductory source-based research using appropriate scholarly and cultural resources.
- Construct and communicate thoughtful, evidence-based, and ethically aware arguments in written, oral, or creative formats.
Timetable
| Type | Length | Frequency | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 2 hours | Weekly | All semester |
| Tutorial | 1 hour | Weekly | All semester |
| Workshop | 2 hours | Fortnightly | All semester |
| Practicum | 2 hours | Fortnightly | Second term |
Assessment Schedule
| Type | Description | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Assignment | Weekly critical response exercises (8 × 2.5%) | 20.00% |
| Assignment | Visual, textual, or performance analysis | 20.00% |
| Assignment | Source-based cultural inquiry project | 25.00% |
| Attendance | Seminar participation and preparation | 10.00% |
| Exam | Comparative arts and cultural studies examination | 25.00% |
Prerequisites
- Requirement 14 NCEA Level 2 English credits, externally assessed
Teaching Staff & Programs
This course is delivered jointly by faculty from the participating programs listed below. In line with the Douchewater Way, the University of Sexology tailors core instruction directly to each cohort's specific discipline — adapting curriculum to program needs rather than forcing students into a one-size-fits-all model. Learn more about our approach at The Douchewater Way.
