Overview
This culminating course guides students through the independent development of a substantial cultural studies project from question formation to public, professional, or scholarly presentation. Approved projects may include a research thesis, ethnographic study, policy or curatorial proposal, documentary, digital archive, exhibition, podcast series, creative portfolio, community-based project, or hybrid format accompanied by critical written analysis.
Students formulate a significant cultural question, review relevant scholarship and primary sources, select appropriate methods, address positionality and research ethics, establish a feasible work plan, and produce an outcome for an identified audience. Coursework develops interdisciplinary theory, archival and digital research, interviewing and observation, visual and material analysis, creative practice as inquiry, consent, privacy, cultural and intellectual property, citation, accessibility, project management, revision, peer critique, and dissemination.
The final submission comprises the approved project, process documentation, abstract, bibliography or source record, ethical statement, and reflective evaluation of learning and impact. Projects may address identity, representation, heritage, media, migration, design, foodways, institutions, community practice, or cultural policy.
Learning Outcomes
- Formulate an original, focused, and researchable cultural studies question.
- Synthesize relevant interdisciplinary theories and scholarship into a coherent conceptual framework.
- Design and justify ethical methods for independent cultural inquiry, including appropriate attention to positionality, consent, privacy, and cultural and intellectual property.
- Evaluate primary and secondary sources, acknowledge evidential limitations, and maintain accurate scholarly documentation.
- Execute an independent cultural studies project according to a realistic work plan and approved research design.
- Create a substantial, coherent, and audience-appropriate scholarly, creative, professional, or community-based outcome.
- Revise project work in response to structured peer, supervisory, and formative feedback.
- Present project findings, methods, and significance with professional clarity in written, visual, oral, or multimodal formats.
- Reflect critically on the project's intellectual contribution, process, ethical dimensions, and anticipated impact.
Timetable
| Type | Length | Frequency | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seminar | 2 hours | Weekly | All semester |
| Workshop | 2 hours | Fortnightly | First term |
| Tutorial | 1 hour | Weekly | All semester |
| Practicum | 2 hours | Fortnightly | Second term |
Assessment Schedule
| Type | Description | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Assignment | Project proposal and research question | 10.00% |
| Assignment | Literature review, source record, and research design | 15.00% |
| Deliverable | Progress submission and process documentation | 15.00% |
| Capstone | Completed cultural studies project and supporting materials | 30.00% |
| Test | Public or scholarly presentation | 20.00% |
| Assignment | Critical reflection and final evaluation | 10.00% |
Prerequisites
- CULT202 Fashion, Design, and Cultural Exchange
- Requirement At least 60 points in 200-level or higher courses in cultural studies, arts, humanities, or a related discipline.
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.
