Considering a Course in Cultural Studies?
Cultural studies as a concept are about what culture is and how and why we have the beliefs and values that we do within our society and how and why objects are produced, marketed, and consumed.
The object of studying culture is to have a better understanding of your own culture and other cultures. You will understand why some practices are more liked than others, and why some habits are more promoted than other habits. You will learn about why some ways of thinking are prohibited in society while other ways are encouraged and rewarded.
Cultural Studies is a relatively new and innovative field of study and the great news is that there are many Cultural Studies courses currently available for you to get started.
What is Cultural Studies?
Cultural Studies is an attempt to understand how and why the society around us functions the way it does and to understand the culture around us and how it has come into existence.
Culture is defined as the ideas and material objects that are passed on from one generation to the next in society and the guidelines or understanding of action and interaction with those objects or ideas. This includes knowledge, beliefs, values, rules, and laws, language, customs, symbols, and material objects.
Cultural studies bring together many other fields of study such as anthropology, ethnic and racial studies, history, humanities, political science, psychology, and sociology – any field that influences the way we think and function as a society.
Why is Cultural Studies so important?
Culture is something that is shared by everyone and is something that evolves and adapts over time.
Beliefs are ideas we hold about life, how society works and where we fit into it. These come from traditions, religious teachings, experiences, and lessons from others and influence the choices that we make. Values are shared judgments about what is desirable or undesirable, right or wrong, good or bad. Values express the basic ideas of a culture and are often taken for granted. Conflict may arise between groups with different value systems. The sharing of culture, beliefs, and values is something that separates humans from animals and is what makes humans unique in the natural world.
Cultural study is an important field of study for literature, film, television, telecommunications, and media, and several other industries. It investigates the concepts of social relations and power that create and transform the political dynamics of contemporary culture.
Cultural studies enable us to improve learning and health habits, increase tolerance, and opportunities to come together with others. Culture enhances our quality of life and increases overall well-being for both individuals and communities.
What Will I Learn about Cultural Studies?
- You will learn about the relationships between people and products and their history of production and reproduction.
- You will learn about the common understandings, beliefs, and histories that shape the world.
- You will learn about ideology and power, individual, collective and national identities, race, gender, sexualities, and class.
- You will learn about political and economic aspects and ideas and practices.
- You will learn about perspectives and dominant thinkers in the area of cultural studies.
Career Opportunities in Cultural Studies
After completing your course in Cultural Studies, you can expect to work across several organizations or industries such as Arts and Cultural Institutions, Government Agencies and Institutions, Media Organisations, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO’s), Non-Profit Agencies, Museums, Organisations that address cultural safety, diversity and oppression.
If you’re serious about doing a course in Cultural Studies and would like to learn more about culture and society, check out courses in the Nightcourses.co.uk national course finder.
