MA in Aural & Visual Cultures
This programme addresses the ways in which our understandings of visual cultures are radically reconfigured through different kinds of attention to aurality, musicality, telephony, phonography, noise, and the voice. The MA focuses on areas where the intersection between aural and visual domains is of paramount importance, and it considers a diverse range of fine art practices, including video, performance and installation art as well as an array of sonic arts and experiments. This intersection has provided a rich stream of new critical possibilities, as well as the identification of new cultural objects/formations, and new margins of aural-visual interest. As a result, the programme is also able to offer a set of new approaches to cinema, to the idea of voice, and to whatever it is that constitutes a musical performance.
1 year full-time or 2 years part-time.
The standard requirement is an upper second class honours or equivalent degree in history of art, architecture and design, fine art, film studies, cultural studies or a related humanities or arts subject. Students with degrees in music or music-related subjects are welcome, but a qualification in a musical discipline is not a requirement. A demonstrable interest in aural cultures of different kinds is needed: the necessary academic strength or intellectual curiosity will allow those with less than required grades in their degree results, or those with substantial work experience in a related field (in lieu of a degree qualification) to be considered. You may be advised to undertake a preparatory year of study on an appropriate programme such as the Graduate Diploma in Contemporary Art History.
AHRC. Before applying for AHRC funding, please discuss this with the Department of Visual Cultures.
Many of our MA students have gone on to do MPhil/PhD study, not only in Art History and Visual Cultures, but also in related fields such as Sociology, American Studies and Literature. Careers obtained by recent graduates include: Collections Manager, Art Dealer’s Assistant, Researcher, Lecturer, Museum Assistant, TV Production Assistant, Public Relations Officer, Rights and Marketing Executive.
Please see Tuition fees.
Please see Staff research interests.
Visual Cultures
A non-assessed core course introduces the question of how to explore the relationship between critical theory and contemporary visual arts practices, while a special subject will enable you to consider the interactions between the aural and the ‘visual’ and ‘spatial’ dimension in the fine arts, architecture, film and other areas of cultural production from 1945 onwards. A laboratory course will provide an active and experimental environment for engaging with a broad issue central to the programme as whole. You will also be required to complete a dissertation, and present a focused investigation of your work during the ‘MA symposium’ component of the programme.
Assessment
Essays; coursework; laboratory project (a written, broadcast, performed, curated or other kind of appropriately documented group submission); oral presentation and discussion; dissertation
Application enquiries
Please see how to apply for information on applying to this programme.