BA Critical Theory

BA Combined Honours (Joint, Minor)

Critical Theory is the study of new theories that are applied in a number of Humanities and Social Science subjects such as Literature, Media Studies, Film Studies, Philosophy, Art and Cultural Studies.These often cutting-edge theories are of diverse sorts: political, psychological, postmodern, scientific, postcolonial, feministic, historical and philosophical.They often both clarify and transform the subjects they are applied to. Critical Theory is thus an ideal subject to combine with others, allowing them to be studied both methodically and in exciting, innovative ways.This might involve, for example, studying films psychoanalytically, studying novels in terms of sexuality, studying media in terms of economics, studying poetry in terms of ethnicity, studying paintings philosophically, studying culture in terms of new sciences, or studying history globally.This type of open, inventive study can lead to a creative understanding and re-thinking of both cultural and artistic forms and of presumptions that underlie the ways in which they are conventionally or currently understood including ones about identity, social formation, artistic value, race and humanity. The study and application of Critical Theory allows for the development of both a critical and constructive engagement not only with academic subjects but also with culture, economic, personal and professional life and the world at large.

Entry Requirements

Students should normally have 160 points from at least two six-unit awards or one twelve-unit award. Mature students are very welcome.

Course structure

Level 1: The core modules are Theories of Text and Introduction to Aesthetics and Visual Culture. These modules equip you with the necessary knowledge and skills to enable you to study Critical Theory successfully at the Advanced Levels.

Levels 2 and 3: The Advanced Level modules are designed both to ensure that you gain knowledge of central issues in Critical Theory and to enable you to choose a set of modules that reflects your interests. All students take Media and Cultural Theory and Theories of the Subject, and choose from a wide range of modules including Popular Culture; Psychoanalysis; Postmodernism and Poststructuralism, Constructions of Masculinity, Marxism and Cultural Materialism and Cyborg Theory and Posthumanism. Joint students have the opportunity of taking a project in Critical Theory — a piece of work that will reflect progress in an area of personal choice.

Assessment

Assessment is entirely by coursework.

Career opportunities

The course equips you with skills in communication and abilities in research, analysis and argument appropriate to the wide range of careers to which Humanities courses have particular relevance. Critical Theory’s interdisciplinary focus is particularly relevant to the multimedia world of the contemporary communications and culture industry.

Further study opportunities are available to students interested in postgraduate qualifications in the humanities.

Accelerated study

If you have previous academic or work-based qualifications you may be exempt from specific parts of the course on an individual basis. Contact the Admissions Office for more information.

UCAS code

V000 BA/CombHum(CritTh)

Attendance

Full-time, part-time (day)

Duration:

3 years full-time,

4—6 years part-time

Combination suggestions

Subjects can be combined within the Humanities Scheme and through the Interfaculty Studies Scheme

Applications

Via UCAS for full-time course. Apply direct for part-time study

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